"Harnessing Privilege: The Role of Empathy in White Women's Anti-Racist Advocacy"
Mentor/s
Dr. Crystal Hayes
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
This conceptual presentation examines how White women’s empathy toward Black women’s experiences of racism can inspire sustained anti-racist action, emphasizing the intersection of privilege, race, and empathy as tools to address systemic inequities and advance social justice. It investigates how empathy, rooted in understanding racial privilege, can catalyze meaningful engagement in anti-racist work while identifying barriers White women may face in translating empathetic awareness into concrete advocacy. The discussion critiques passive empathy and proposes pathways for transforming it into active, systemic efforts to dismantle racism. Geared toward White women in positions of privilege as social workers, educators, activists, policymakers, and organizational leaders interested in leveraging empathy to drive anti-racist advocacy and systemic change. This exploration considers how White women can transform empathy into actionable anti-racist efforts. It provides strategies for social workers and educators to support White women in using their privilege to challenge systemic racism and advocate for policies and practices that promote racial equity. Empathy can potentially empower White women to contribute significantly to dismantling oppressive systems. This work outlines practical approaches for integrating empathy-driven anti-racist actions into social work practice, education, and professional development. It also highlights the importance of cultivating self-awareness among White women, enabling them to use their privilege to advocate for systemic change and advance racial justice. Ultimately, the presentation calls for centering Black women’s voices while equipping White women to use their privilege as a force for collective liberation and justice.
Academic Level
Graduate student
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
Start Day/Time
4-25-2025 12:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-25-2025 2:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
"Harnessing Privilege: The Role of Empathy in White Women's Anti-Racist Advocacy"
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
This conceptual presentation examines how White women’s empathy toward Black women’s experiences of racism can inspire sustained anti-racist action, emphasizing the intersection of privilege, race, and empathy as tools to address systemic inequities and advance social justice. It investigates how empathy, rooted in understanding racial privilege, can catalyze meaningful engagement in anti-racist work while identifying barriers White women may face in translating empathetic awareness into concrete advocacy. The discussion critiques passive empathy and proposes pathways for transforming it into active, systemic efforts to dismantle racism. Geared toward White women in positions of privilege as social workers, educators, activists, policymakers, and organizational leaders interested in leveraging empathy to drive anti-racist advocacy and systemic change. This exploration considers how White women can transform empathy into actionable anti-racist efforts. It provides strategies for social workers and educators to support White women in using their privilege to challenge systemic racism and advocate for policies and practices that promote racial equity. Empathy can potentially empower White women to contribute significantly to dismantling oppressive systems. This work outlines practical approaches for integrating empathy-driven anti-racist actions into social work practice, education, and professional development. It also highlights the importance of cultivating self-awareness among White women, enabling them to use their privilege to advocate for systemic change and advance racial justice. Ultimately, the presentation calls for centering Black women’s voices while equipping White women to use their privilege as a force for collective liberation and justice.
Students' Information
Jessica A. Pelletier, LCSWR PhD Candidate Sacred Heart University School of Social Work. Anticipated graduation 2028.