"This basic extension of empathy is one of the great barriers in understanding race in this country. I do not mean a soft, flattering, hand-holding empathy. I mean a muscular empathy rooted in curiosity. If you really want to understand slaves, slave masters, poor black kids, poor white kids, rich people of colors, whoever, it is essential that you first come to grips with the disturbing facts of your own mediocrity. The first rule is this—You are not extraordinary."
—
A Muscular Empathy - Ta-Nehisi Coates - The Atlantic
Perhaps misleading/strange out of context, but I couldn’t help it. Worth reading the whole bit.
4:00 pm • 4 January 2012