Something is happening on both sides of the Atlantic. On the surface, it seems to be about flags, identity, and political loyalty. But as an American living in Britain, I see something deeper in recent events: both our societies are normalizing hatred and exclusion in ways that damage not just our politics, but our very humanity.
What Iām talking about are aggressions, both big and smallāa coarsening of everyday life. I have personal examples. Not long ago, at a well-known creative space in London, I experienced clear bias twice. My guests and I were the only all-Black table in the room, and as it grew dark, every other table was given a lamp except ours. When I brought it up with management, I was interrupted, brushed off, and told it was just an oversight. A Black staff member was sent to calm things down. Later, an official told me that while they had a ādifferent view of what happened,ā they admitted it fell short of their usual standards and that this was how I experienced it. My Blackness was ignored and diminished, while whiteness was affirmed and celebratedāall in a place that loudly claims to be a home for ābelonging.ā
The pendulum has swung back. Overt aggression is becoming normal in a way I havenāt seen in years. Recently, in U.S. airports and restaurants, Iāve been called the N-wordāa word meant not just to insult, but to erase.
These arenāt small slights. Theyāre signs of a culture where suspicion and prejudice are no longer whispered but weaponized. In Colorado, three students were critically injured in a school shooting. In Minnesota, political leaders were among those targeted by an attacker who made a long āhit listā of Democrats, though investigators said he didnāt seem to have clear ideological beliefs. In Sweden, ten people were killed in an attack at an adult education centerāpolice found no evidence it was ideologically motivated. Here in Britain, far-right activity and protests against asylum seekers have surged, fueled by inflammatory rhetoric and silence from leaders.
What connects these events isnāt ideology, but a lack of empathy. And without empathy, democracies struggle.
Martin Luther King Jr. warned, āLet no man pull you so low as to hate him.ā He knew that hatred corrodes both the hater and the hated. Love, on the other hand, is the only force that can truly transform. This isnāt abstract philosophyāitās lived truth.
The message of Jesus Christ was never about defending doctrines or drawing lines of purity. It was about radical loveālove that crossed boundaries, embraced the outcast, and saw the soul beyond the sin. Thatās the love the world desperately needs today.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks made the same point in his 2015 book, Not in Godās Name: āWe are all children of Abrahamā¦ God is calling us, Jew, Christian and Muslim, to let go of hate and the preaching of hate, and live at last as brothers and sistersā¦ honoring Godās name by honoring his image, humankind.ā His challenge was theological, but also civic. Societies built on grievance cannot thrive. Empathy must become a public practice, woven into our schools, workplaces, and laws. Politicians who thrive on division must be held accountable not just for their words, but for the cultures of cruelty they create.
Even in the U.S., where free speech is sacred, presidents have at least acknowledged that liberty shouldnāt mean license. The Trump White House once stated, āWe must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence.ā That should apply to every Americanāwithout exceptionāand to every society that calls itself democratic.
From Britainās protests to Americaās violence, public spectacle often drowns outThe deeper questions we face are not about which side is louder, but whether we can still find empathy in an age that seems addicted to division. Free speech is essential to democracy, but without empathy and responsibility, it becomes a blunt toolāone that harms the vulnerable while protecting the powerful.
Here in Britain, empathy would mean confronting racism where it exists openly yet goes unchallenged: in private clubs that celebrate whiteness while ignoring Blackness, and in everyday situations where prejudice is dismissed as harmless banter. It would mean reshaping our politics so that grievances arenāt used as weapons, and grace is given priority.
This isnāt about being sentimental. Empathy isnāt naivetyāitās an act of moral courage. It means refusing to define people by their worst moments. It means seeing the humanity in the person in front of us, even when their words hurt.
I feel outrage when someone calls me the n-wordāwhether itās a waiter or anyone elseābecause that word is meant to erase who I am. But I donāt feel hatred. Hatred eats away at the soul. Outrage, when channeled rightly, fuels truth-tellingāit refuses to let dignity be diminished or injustice normalized. My hope is that, even in the face of such ugliness, we can build a society where empathy does the work hate once claimed: bringing us together, not tearing us apart.
I often think of my son. Heās growing up in a world more toxic than the one I knew. Heāll face choices about whether to answer cruelty with cruelty, or with love. What I want him to knowāwhat I want all of us to knowāis that empathy isnāt weakness. Itās strength. Itās the refusal to let hate define who we are. In the end, itās the only legacy worth leaving behind.
I also think of another child: Charlie Kirkās son in the US. One boy will grow up without his father; mine will grow up seeing what that father stood for. Two boys, an ocean apart, inheriting the same question: will we break the cycle of hate? My prayer is that both, in their own ways, come to understand this: the only way forward, the only way to heal whatās broken, is love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about In the midst of anger and hatred one major question remains can societies still find empathy by Keith Magee
1 What is the main topic of Keith Magees talk
It explores whether societies overwhelmed by anger and hatred can still rediscover and practice empathy
2 Why is empathy important in society
Empathy helps people understand and connect with others reduces conflict and promotes cooperation and fairness
3 What are some common barriers to empathy in society today
Common barriers include polarization misinformation fear prejudice and economic or social inequality
4 Can empathy really make a difference in divided societies
Yes empathy can bridge divides humanize opposing views and create opportunities for dialogue and healing
5 How does anger and hatred affect our ability to empathize
They often shut down our willingness to listen or understand others making empathy feel difficult or even risky
6 Are there realworld examples where empathy helped heal societal divisions
Yes examples include truth and reconciliation processes community dialogues and efforts after conflicts like in South Africa or Rwanda
7 What are some practical ways to cultivate empathy in daily life
Listen actively try to see situations from others perspectives engage with diverse viewpoints and practice kindness
8 Is empathy the same as agreeing with someone
No empathy means understanding how someone feels or thinks even if you dont agree with them
9 How can societies encourage empathy on a larger scale
Through education inclusive policies media that promotes understanding and leaders who model empathetic behavior
10 What role do institutions play in fostering empathy
They can create environments that prioritize respect dialogue and equity helping empathy become a societal norm
11 Can empathy coexist with holding people accountable for harmful actions
Yes empathy doesnt mean excusing wrongdoingit means understanding context and motivations which can support fair and constructive accountability
12 Why might some people resist the idea of empathy in times of conflict
They may see it as weakness fear being taken advantage of or believe it undermines their own struggles or grievances
13 How does Keith Magee suggest we begin rebuilding empathy in polarized societies
He emphasizes starting with honest conversations
