Reply #37: We were taught... [View All]

that empathy is the same as liberalism and therefore un-American. This wasn't explicit, of course, but the lessons learned are the same. It is taught in school and work as I win- you lose. It is taught at home by seeing others as practicing a zero sum game at our expense. It is taught by calling empathy wimpy and not manly.
I have just had a long e-mail conversation with someone I consider a friend (a conservative though)who sent me pictures of the newest addition to the Cook County Jail. I am a native of Chicago and know something about that jail having seen it or passed by it hundreds of times. It is a prison and a particularly depressing one but she was upset by the luxuries being heaped upon the undeserving prisoners in this brand new section with glass curtain walls facing the outside world and the large recreation area. As a liberal I see things much differently from her and much of it is based on empathy. She cannot separate felons from non-felons; long termer's from those who have been stupid and un-empathetic in their daily actions but not criminal. To her and so many others they all are guilty and need punishment - harsh and minimally livable.
Now I must say that both of us have had family members in jail at one time or another and also have relatives in law enforcement or prisons. We both have dealt with burglary or attempted break-ins. My insights and feelings about that jail is totally at odds with hers but why?
My answer is that she was taught that those prisoners should have no comforts because they are not worthy of them. It is the Puritan Ethic at its worst. And that is the case. We are not supposed to care for anyone we are not related to. Far too few understand that we are really are all related. The fact is that part of the American story is a certain self-righteousness that believes any exceptions should come to those for whom we care but not for others who have earned whatever treatment they receive.
My friend also resents that inmates may leave prison with a college education since her own children had to pay for their own. Again lack of empathy except for one's own. It is the root of conservatism to lack this empathy and their attitude finds resonance in those who have learned to only care about me or mine.