The Radicalness of Empathy

Is kindness and understanding what is truly radical today? Stylist and commentator Ayishat Akanbi is getting attention as a new fresh voice in the culture. In her recent interview on Rebel Wisdom, Ayishat makes several provocative statements: "What is radical is kindness. What is radical is understanding." "Conflict is conformist." "My race, gender, and sexuality are the least interesting things about me."

Please join us as we use Ayishat's Rebel appearance as an opening to discuss how we might approach the increasingly volatile culture wars. Is the real radical act in our world today indeed being empathetic and understanding? Ayishat also shares how her spiritual experiences brought her to her perspective and approach. How do our own spiritual journeys impact how we show up in the culture? As always, bring whatever is on your mind related to our topic, as well as what is catching your interest on recent Rebel Wisdom videos (a new notable one, below).

VIDEOS

Identity & Empathy, with Ayishat Akanbi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmKz0cmunP0 (1 hour and 2 minutes)

Rebel Wisdom has also posted a short portion of Ayishat's Members' Q & A with mediator, facilitator, and Zen Master Diane Musho Hamilton - - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVaGc957_Pk&t=569s (30 minutes) (we may show excerpts of the Q & A from the members-only version at our session)

The Problem with Wokeness (referred to in the Rebel interview) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-WimRb2jXs (4 plus minutes)

BONUS VIDEO

War on Sensemaking V with Daniel Schmactenberger - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v5RiMdSqwk (1 hour, 32 minutes) (Daniel's freshest take on the world situation, along with a new project to address the dilemmas our time)

DATE CHANGE and ZOOM LINK

Note that we are meeting this month on the second Saturday instead of our semi-regular first Saturday of the month.

Be aware that you must rsvp "yes" to see the Zoom link, and it is not possible to rsvp after the session has started.