When trying to define the word empathy, people tend to use the phrase “put yourself in someone else’s shoes.” However, I think that this phrase doesn’t fully capture the essence of it. Empathy is so much more than this. In its most basic form, empathy is having an open mind and, with that, the knowledge that everyone has different experiences. You don’t have to know why or how someone is feeling a certain way. Instead, it is important to have the awareness and respect for people’s differing opinions.
Empathy has the power to connect us, to help us understand one another, and to build a more compassionate world. I’d like to talk about the writer and thinker George Orwell. Known for his sharp insights in novels like 1984 and Animal Farm, Orwell is often remembered as a critic of authoritarianism and injustice. But Orwell’s life and work also reveal a deep empathy for others, especially those who are often overlooked and unheard.
Orwell didn’t just write about social inequality; he lived among those who suffered from it. He immersed himself in the lives of the poor in England and France, experiencing their hardships firsthand. His empathy wasn’t merely a feeling, it was a commitment to understanding people’s experiences from the inside, to walking alongside them and sharing in their challenges.
Through Orwell, we can see that empathy is more than compassion; it’s an active choice to step into someone else’s world. His life and writings remind us that empathy can be a powerful tool for breaking down barriers, building connections, and inspiring change. Orwell’s work teaches us that empathy is impactful because it compels us to action. It demands that we do more than observe; it insists that we get involved, speak up, and contribute to positive change. Orwell didn’t just write about injustice from a distance; he walked alongside those who experienced it, and he used his platform to amplify their voices.
Today, as we navigate a world that is often divided and polarized, empathy is more relevant than ever. Imagine if we each made an effort to see the world from others’ perspectives, to question our assumptions, and to truly understand the struggles of those around us. Looking inward at our own thoughts and behaviours, not only thinking of the implications actions have for us but also others allows for greater awareness and cooperation. At its simplest, empathy teaches us that every person has a story worth hearing and that they deserve our presence, understanding and respect.
Dan Wright
Senior Prefect