The Politics of Empathy: Beyond Feel-Good Morality

In this thought-provoking episode, Ee Ling  (the author of Fire Dragon Feminism; https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/fire-dragon-feminism-9781350447820/) and I deepen our critical takes on empathy. We want it to be questioned and celebrated. Together, we unpack how empathy is framed in dominant social and political discourses, asking what is truly being promoted when we talk about “being empathetic.” Is it a genuine connection, or a distraction from deeper structural injustices? To move towards real change, we argue that collective struggle, solidarity, and a critical awareness of historical continuities are essential. Empathy alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by justice, accountability, and the dismantling of oppressive systems.  Citation: Divakalala, C. & Quah, E. L. (2025). The Politics of Empathy: Beyond Feel-Good Morality. The Hello Frequency, A Lifestyle Podcast. Remember, in a world where discord echoes loudly, let empathy be our pluriversal language!