Advice Column Addresses Empathy in Political Differences

NEW YORK, NY — A recent column in The New York Times’ “The Ethicist” addressed a unique dilemma from an anonymous reader. The reader, an H.I.V.-positive gay man, expressed concern over his liberal friend living in a conservative town and her lack of political activism.

The reader reached out to columnist Kwame Anthony Appiah, detailing his friend’s struggles with being married to a Trump supporter. He noted her hesitance to participate in protests, criticizing her for prioritizing home renovations over activism. “She comes off to me as someone who’s comfortable in her life and doesn’t want to shake anything up,” he stated.

In his response, Appiah explained the complex dynamics of living in a small, predominantly conservative community. He acknowledged that while protests may feel safe in urban settings, the same cannot be said for rural areas. “Neighbors who see her at a protest are neighbors she’ll see at the supermarket and the school board,” Appiah commented, highlighting the potential personal repercussions of public dissent.

The columnist emphasized that labeling the friend a hypocrite may be unfair. “Hypocrisy means professing beliefs you don’t hold,” he explained, arguing that her reluctance to publicly express progressive views reflects a different set of risks than those faced by the reader.

Appiah also urged the reader to reconsider his own approach, suggesting that he might be lacking empathy towards his friend’s situation. He stated, “Your small-town friend may have assessed her circumstances more carefully than you give her credit for.” In conclusion, he posed the question: “Maybe the question is whether she should keep someone in her life who refuses to consider that possibility.”

This column highlights the challenges faced by individuals navigating political differences in divided communities, encouraging readers to cultivate greater empathy.