Hi Maha, just back from the hospital. Agree with Suzan that empathy can be taught. We can also teach that inequality is normal and certain people have lesser rights. Poor treatment of other is a form of selfishness, immaturity and fear

I think without choice though empathy is just weak kindness or politeness. The first 4 days of my hospital recovery were with a single room-mate who whined, complained, ordered the nurses around and showed no awareness of others. Sure there were lots of reasons to excuse his behavior but in my mind he decided to be a jerk and earned no kindness from me. I spent a whole night freezing in the fluids leaking from my IV and drains, and without pain medications because this guy never let the nurses to my bed to help me. My roommate was completely locked in his own selfishness and I had to break his control over the resources I needed to survive.

bell hooks is an interesting thinker, but wonder if the power of compassion isn’t just a nice sounding belief system? Seems to me allowing bad behavior from others as a way to teach good behavior is ridiculous.