XRSF R. Hallam

Proposal for XR SF Bay to host an Online Empathy Circle with Roger Hallam regarding his Holocaust comments.

Short url: http://j.mp/32tBs8B

At the DAWG meeting, I heard Roger was coming to the Bay Area in March and the group was looking to host some events with him. I was quite excited about the possibility of holding an online Empathy Circle with Roger Hallam. I think an Empathy Circle that is recorded and then published to social media would be very helpful to;

1. Address and heal the Holocaust comments.

2. It would also help promote the Empathy Circle practice, which the XR Empathy Circles Work Group is working to spread in XR. People learn the process by watching it in action. The process is the foundation to mediation.

3. It could also show XR SF as mediators and working to bring people together.

4. This could be a first step in his visit to the Bay Area. It could lead to him addressing other topics in a Empathy Circles later, such as;

   1. 3 Demands versus USA 4 Demands

   2. Topics Raised in his book COMMON SENSE FOR THE 21st CENTURY

   3. Empathy Circle with Policy Exchange

   4. etc

Who I am. Edwin Rutsch

• Founder: Center For Building a Culture of Empathy (largest internet empathy related resource)

• Started the Empathy Tent at Occupy Wall Street Berkeley EmpathyTent.com and Here

  • Been setting up ever since in Berkeley and beyond.

  • Offering listening on the streets and at left and right battles.

Empathy Tent Featured in the new documentary Trumphobia: what both sides fear Trailer

Sample: Empathy Tent and Sidewalk Talk at Hands Around Lake Merritt, Oakland

View On Facebook or On YouTube

Extinction Rebellion Empathy Tent at UC Berkeley Climate Strike - Sproul Plaza

• I Connected with the XR Future Democracy Hub 9 months ago. Been developing empathy circle training videos for their site and working with the them.

• Created the international XR Empathy Circle Work Group to bring empathy building practices to XR

• Have been holding many Online Empathy Cafes

I just facilitated this empathy circle with XR UK spokespeople. They had very positive comments about the process. They wanted to hold a series of cafes on the vision 2020 topic..

We are also hosting this weekly Empathy Café on XR and conflict. See Sample

Facebook Event

Upcoming Empathy Cafes

• • Empathy Cafe: How might XR design Empathic Direct Actions (EDA)?

  • Empathy Cafe: How might XR more effectively mediate conflict?

  • Empathy Circle Facilitators Online Support Group: Fridays

  • XR SF Bay Empathy Circle Sat. March 14

  • XR Values and Principles Guardians just held Empathy Circle. Want to hold a series of 10. One for each principle.

Hosting Roger Hallam Empathy Circle

Doing it online with Zoom would be the easiest to organize and record. He can take part on his laptop from wherever he is. (train or hotel room?)

An Empathy Circle is 2 hours.

4 participants being ideal.

Participants could be

1. Roger Hallam

2. A Jewish XR member.

3. A German XR member or others most upset by his comments

4. Myself as Facilitator (btw. I have dual US/German citizenship)

To Do. If you think it’s a good idea;

• ( ) We would just need to email Roger and ask him to take part.

• ( ) Then select and invite the others, People who are very upset would be good.

• ( ) Set date and time.

• ( ) Hold the circle

• ( ) post and promote final video on social media.

To Take Part in an Empathy Circle, see:

1. What is an Empathy Circle?

2. Why Participate?

3. How to Empathy Circle?

Worked with XR Transformative Conflict & Justice Systems