Building Empathy Through Community

A sociological understanding of community emphasizes the social fabric that connects individuals, creating a sense of unity, shared identity, and often, mutual support. We, the members of the St. John's community, understand this as well. We take pride in our neighborhoods and small businesses. We protest the closure of our community center and the effect on our children and families. We stand in the Plaza for the rights of the Trans community and against the policies of the current regime. We promise our immigrant neighbors that we will protect them from the grasp of ICE. These are all endeavors that help create the community of St. Johns.

Yet, with all of this good, there are members of this community whom we overlook every day. Our houseless brothers and sisters are ogled and ostracized, ignored and criticized, deliberately dehumanized. For what end? My personal experiences with homelessness, although not here, have proven this to be true. My conversations with members of that community in St. Johns have proven this to be true. This is unacceptable.

Whether we believe in creationism or evolution, humans came into existence from a single source, indicating that we are, as a species, nothing more than an extended family. This knowledge alone should make it clear that we have an obligation to ensure the well-being of all members. We can no longer walk by, with blinders on, pretending these human beings are unworthy of our empathy or don’t exist at all.

Some of us (businesses and individuals) are trying to make this better, to create a more welcoming environment, to simply get to know our brothers and sisters as individuals. Some are trying to create pathways, beyond institutions, to housing and needed services. Some spend their hard-earned money feeding as many as they can reach out to let them know they are welcome, wanted, and loved. Is this not what a family does? Is this not what a community does? Is this not what we should all be doing until we ensure the security and well-being of every member of our community?