Obama Empathy Values Movement Meetings and Video Now Online

Written by: Edwin Rutsch on Jan 27, 2009 3:53 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy for Washington, Michigan Democracy for America, DFALA, San Francisco for Democracy, Framing Committee

Linked to campaigns: Obama for America

I recently uploaded a video I compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy. It clearly makes the case that the most important value that Obama is promoting is empathy.  You can see it here;

Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy - Rough Cut 1(1 hr 15 min)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112

I've also collect about 50 speeches from Barack and Michelle where they talk about empathy. You can see the full list and text here
http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy

Obama Empathy Values Movement Group
Barack Obama led a campaign based on values and at the core of this is the value of empathy.  Obama repeatedly says the country has an 'Empathy Deficit'. We are forming a group to build on Obama's call to address the empathy deficit. We are holding weekly meetings to form a group to promote a  national ethos change to greater empathy.  The weekly meetings are from 2 to 4 in El Cerrito (near Berkeley),  CA.  You can also join us for online discussions on the Yahoo discussion list at  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProgressiveValues/

At the next meetings we'll brainstorm about how to build the group.

As part of this empathy movement, we're also putting together a video of Barack's many speeches on empathy.  You can see the first rough cut here. Compiled from about 30 of Barack's speeches and interviews, etc on the topic of empathy.
Barack Obama and a New Spirit of Empathy
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6504935098489252112
 

 Sign Up for meetings here.

Saturday,  Jan 31, 2009, 2 - 4 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptzqw
Obama Empathy Values Movement group -At this meeting we'll brainstorm  about forming an Empathy Movement Group.

Saturday,  Feb 07, 2009, 2 - 4 pm
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpt8j4
Obama Empathy Values Movement group - At this meeting we'll brainstorm  about forming an Empathy Movement Group.

For more info see:
http://ProgressiveSpirit.com/Empathy

Following are the brainstorming notes from the last meeting. We did some brainstorming about how to form an Empathy Movement Group. 

Creating an Empathy Movement Group
Feb 24, 2009 – El Cerrito
http://progressivespirit.com/Empathy

Attendees

Leon Regelson
Deborah Temple
Kathy Heilig
Edwin Rutsch   http://progressivespirit.com
Barbara Chan 
   I appreciate what I learned about each of you:
   Kathy's desire to bring empathy into her profession.
   Leon's suggestions for how we can practice empathy by literally sitting side by side with another person and listening/feeling with them.
   Deborah saying we must acknowledge that our past history is not 100% empathetic in order to move on

An empathy group - what it would be like?

     Have a space for free flowing discussion
     Supporting Obama’s call to fill the empathy gap

     Do empathy experiments with activities

         - In pairs - Let us get to know you better

         - Other art and empathy activities
     Use a Collaborative research model

     Research offline bring back our insights to share with the group

     Use group facilitation methodologies such as

         - The World Café 

         - Open Space Technology

     Use Writing and open with some Opening meditation

     Use everyone’s skills

     Do real world research?

     Action oriented to work on the empathy video

     How about merging with Nonviolent communication groups (NVC) ?  We would like to be more eclectic by incorporating many modalities, including NVC and others, etc. etc.

Why should we even have a group?

    I want to learn about empathy
    We need to start a group to work on empathy to which people interested in the topic can go to.

What is empathy? How to define it? What does it mean ?

     You hear metaphors for empathy,

        - Seeing through others eyes

       - Walking in someone’s shoes

       - Mine is it’s like galaxies merging

     Connecting with other human beings. May not always agree with them.

     See the common humanness in everyone
     It’s an embrace and love

       - love and respect

     It’s an energetic level,
     Example is Obama inviting Rick Warren to speak at inauguration.  Brought Rick into the conversation.

     Empathy is effective for leadership

     Empathy is an embodied experience
     Obama embodies empathy and is banner carrier for it

       Bush created the environment for this awakening. (by making such a mess)

Lack of Empathy

    Need to acknowledge lack of empathy

    Obama says there’s an empathy deficit.
     Was a lack of empathy in the American past, for woman, Indians, African American, etc

     But there was some caring in constitution - equality,

     How to move forward and grow with empathy?

     Experiment with empathy.

     Be in a listening place

     Story of hospital staff not being empathic?

         Young staff are more energetic vr old become disillusioned.

         The Importance of Self Care so that you don’t burn out.

          Stress getting in the way of empathy.

 
What is everyone’s level of commitment in time and energy for the group?

     Edwin – high level – can meet weekly

     Leon – high level – can meet weekly

     Kathy – high level – can meet weekly

     Barbara  - Could meet monthly

     Debora  - Be part of video group
 

     Some want a committed group – to go deeper

    Create a group so all levels of commitment can take part

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