Qasim Rashid on Empathy, Justice, and Activism That Lasts

In this episode, Payal sits down with Qasim Rashid to explore the intersection of empathy, activism, and justice. As a respected human rights attorney and advocate for civil rights, Qasim shares how his early experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to fighting injustice. The conversation dives into the realities facing immigrant communities, the dangers of performative activism, and how to build sustainable, community-based movements that last.Listeners will walk away with practical insights into how empathy fuels real change, how to stay engaged without burning out, and what it means to lead with purpose in the face of systemic challenges.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why empathy is a critical tool in social justice workThe long-term impact of values-driven activismHow to identify and avoid performative allyshipCommon challenges immigrant communities continue to faceThe importance of civic education and youth engagementActionable steps for sustainable community involvementJoin the Conversation:If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone committed to justice and equity.About Qasim Rashid:Qasim Rashid is a human rights lawyer, author of Talk to Me and The Wrong Kind of Muslim, and a former U.S. Congressional candidate. His work focuses on civil rights, religious freedom, and public policy reform, with a deep commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and creating equitable systems of justice.Resources & Links:Learn more about Qasim Rashid: www.qasimrashid.comFollow Qasim on social media: @QasimRashidConnect with Payal: Follow Dr. Payal Beri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberiSubscribe to Reframing Perspectives on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1 Check out RK Empathy: https://www.rkempathy.com/ Connect with Dr. Payal Beri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberi/ Interested in having Dr. Payal Beri speak at your event? https://www.payalberi.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Qasim Rashid02:52 Early Influences and Activism Roots06:59 Navigating Fear and Taking Action 08:09 Generational Perspectives on Justice 11:28 Practical Steps for Young Activists 19:24 The Role of Empathy in Activism 25:32 Challenges of Empathy in Modern Society 30:45 Rebuilding Connections in a Post-C World 31:12 Empathy and Everyday Fatigue 32:52 Activism: From Comfort Zone to Rage 34:14 Sustainable Activism: A Marathon, Not a Sprint 35:31 The Importance of Local Involvement 38:37 The Role of Reading and Intellectualism 46:05 Addressing Misogyny and Violence Against Women 51:02 Empathy and Compassion in Activism 57:26 Final Thoughts and Connecting with Qasim RashidConnect with Dr. Payal Beri & Reframing Perspectives:Instagram – Dr. Payal: https://www.instagram.com/dr.payalberiSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@payalberi?sub_confirmation=1LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/payalberiSpeaking & Media: https://www.drpayalberi.com