2018-04-07: EMPATHY FORUM

Candidates running for California Assembly District 15 take part in a Radical Empathy Forum addressing the question of "How might we build a more empathic and caring culture?" The forum was held using the Empathy Circle dialogue process as a way to move from combative debate to constructive dialogue.

Register: On Facebook

Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018

Time: 3 pm to 5:30 pm

Location: UC Berkeley - Genetics & Plant Biology, Room 100

(Near Oxford St and Hearst Ave)

THE PROBLEM

Our communities and country are beset by dangerous and growing divisions of race, class, personalities, politics and loss of meaning.

OUR CHALLENGE

How might we build a more empathic and caring culture?

INTRODUCTION

Our communities and country are beset by dangerous and growing divisions of race, class, personalities, politics and loss of meaning and disconnection from our common humanity. Candidates running for California Assembly District 15 took take part in a Radical Empathy Forum discussing: "How might we build a more empathic and caring culture?"

EMPATHY CIRCLE 1

With Andy Katz, Buffy Wicks, Rochelle Pardue-Okimoto, Owen Poindexter, Pranav Jandhyala, Edwin Rutsch

Facebook Video and YouTube Video:

EMPATHY CIRCLE 2

With Raquella Thaman, Dan Kalb, Sergey Piterman, Cheryl Sudduth, Judy Appel, Jovanka Beckles rep., Edwin Rutsch

By Danielle Kaye - Daily California

"The Radical Empathy Forum differed from typical political discussions in that it emphasized active listening rather than debate. "

Assembly Candidates Get 'Radical' in Empathy Workshop

By Guy Marorati

KQED News - April 8, 2018

"On Saturday, they had to put their stump speeches aside and focus on two ideas that may seem out of place during campaign season: empathy and caring."

Talk-It-Out Radio

https://kpfa.org/…/talk-it-out-radio-a…/

KPFA - April 9 2018

Talk-It-Out Radio host Timothy Regan, interviews Edwin Rutsch about the Radial Empathy Forum with Assembly District 15 Candidates""

POSITION PAPERS

Rochelle Pardue-Okimoto: Empathy

http://j.mp/2GnuTIV

“For me empathy is taking the time to see something from someone else’s perspective. It may only take a few seconds, but active listening requires a person to set down their phone, stop thinking about what they are going to say next and really listen to what the other person has to say. …”

Raquella Thaman: A Story of Empathy

http://j.mp/2IcxAxe

“I had a brief statement prepared on my ideas about how important empathy is to clear and effective communication and how it must be central to public service of any kind. Instead I’d like to relate an experience I had today that was a stellar example of how we can build a more empathic and caring culture….”

Owen Poindexter: Empathy

http://j.mp/2ErKhSx

“Empathy is what allows us to move beyond tribalism. By having love and compassion for people who we don't necessarily share a family, religion, political boundary or whatever else we use to define ourselves, we allow for a world that reflects our best values...”

Judy Appel: A Story of Empathy

http://j.mp/2J9BRTq

“In addition to listening, empathy involves love, trust and allowing oneself to be personally vulnerable. It is important to me to embrace all of these qualities as a mom, a friend, a family member, and in my professional life…”

Dan Kalb: How might we build a more empathic and caring culture

http://j.mp/2JrPGNf

“Making a conscious effort to empathize with others, if successful, can help hone in on what the other person or persons really feel(s) they need most. Compassion is a necessary quality of successful empathic interaction….”