> [!infobox] <s class="aside-in"><em>mentioned in 7 evergreens</em></s> #### [[Empathy does not disallow judgment]] We can [[sympathy|sympathize]] with why somebody did something without excusing their actions. This is an important part of [[non-punitive justice]] and why [[Prison abolition]] is possible. We cannot hope for someone if we have [[judgement|judged]] them and if we cannot hope for someone how can we [[human advancement|advance]]. > I don’t hate [[TERFS]]. I think for the most part they are **lonely, scared people,** often [[trauma|traumatized]], and they are trying to alleviate their pain by lashing out at a safe target, which is something hurt people often do. But **that doesn’t mean that I accept or excuse their behavior.** > ...It is possible to [[sympathy|sympathize]] and even forgive while still setting strong boundaries around them. > For me, keeping this view of people to the fore **[[Hope is not optimism it is a practice for producing change|improves my view of the world.]]** Instead...I try to see them as **hurt people lacking [[knowledge]] and self-awareness.** I get that because I am also that. But I don’t let my [[empathy]] blind me to the harm they do. [^1] > > <cite> [[10_Sources/tweets - I Don’t Hate TERFs. I Th...|@LilahSturges]] </cite> [[You can't blame people for failing to rise above their circumstances]], and the circumstances of our world are certainly [[transphobia|transphobic]]. I grew up in a [[A inwardly judgmental and outwardly accepting home creates trust issues|judgmental home]], and I have found that these ideals are very important in having [[compassion]] for other people, even my [[parents]]: [[Parents will not be able to protect their children from every source of trauma|Parents will not be able to protect their children from every source of trauma]]. [[Empathy isn't understanding how you would make the decision it's understanding why they made the decision]] ### <hr class=footnote/> **Status**:: #EVER/GREEN *edited 7:35 AM - July 08, 2022* **Topics**:: [[justice]], [[sympathy]], [[empathy]], [[judgement]] [^1]: https://twitter.com/LilahSturges/status/1453347878848638978