Finding the Passion in Compassion: Your Social Justice Soul

By David M. Markowitz

The recent horrific killings of black Americans—George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, and Elijah McClain—sparked nation-wide protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. People took to the streets, many for the first time, to embrace those who have been systematically marginalized and underserved for far too long in the US.

While protests remain steady around the country, one concern is that they might dwindle in participation or energy during the summer months. It is our duty, as individuals who want to see meaningful social justice change for black and minority communities around the world, to remain committed to the pursuit of equality and compassion.

The Latin root of the word compassion is pati, which means to suffer. Therefore, compassion means to suffer with another, a beautiful sense of common ground and empathy that is the result of understanding, care, and experience with unfamiliar others.

It might not be enough to acknowledge another group’s suffering, however. An understated ingredient of compassion should be emphasized: passion. Passion is the intense preoccupation with a cause, one that will not settle until thoughtful and meaningful change occurs.

We are all capable of making positive change in pursuit of social justice reform, but an unrelenting pursuit of such justice is needed.

Here is an incomplete list of ways to continually support marginalized and underserved populations, particularly focused on Black communities in the US:

(1)  Make a recurring donation to Black Lives Matter and a host of other organizations.

(2)  Support Black-owned businesses.

(3)  Have difficult, meaningful, and action-oriented conversations with people from different viewpoints.

(4)  Check-in on your colleagues, friends, and family who are most affected by social injustice. Most importantly, be their ally.

(5)  Hold yourself accountable to listening to and learning about experiences that are different from your own.

(6)  Repeat steps 1-5, passionately.

Other ways of taking action, which are documented at the Arithmetic of Compassion, should be considered as well.

Another helpful step might be the development of a personal honor code. What do you as a person stand for? Businesses use honor codes or values statements to declare the soul of a corporation. What does your social justice soul stand for, believe in, and how can it inspire others?