2019-09-07 Berkeley Plaza
Facebook Event: XR Empathy Cafe: Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza
REPORT: Extinction Rebellion (XR) Empathy Cafe and Tent Setup at the Berkeley, California Downtown Subway (BART) Plaza.
Saturday, Sept 7, 10am to 3pm: With Christine, Bill and Edwin.
We set up at 10am and the day started off slow for attendance at the Empathy Tent. People are in a hurry and there is not much traffic on a Saturday morning. However, later in the day (12pm on) people started stopping by and we talked to them, offered listening, talked about XR, and empathy.
Empathy In the Eyes Test is Popular:
People enjoy the reading of feelings in the eyes test. They stop and take the test and talk to each other about it.
What is Extinction Rebellion?
Hardly anyone knew about XR. It is not well known yet. Maybe after the Sept 25 etc. actions it will be more well known in the SF Bay Area.
Police
A police officer came by and talk about the need for care and empathy for young people so they don't commit crimes. He said the background stories he hears of many who commit crimes are so sad. A culture of empathy is needed to stop crime before it happens. Sometimes it’s just having someone in their lives that will listen to them.
Counselors
A couple of counselors stopped by.. they have some of the nicest energy and support for what we are doing and want to collaborate.
Listening to People
We listened to several people who are dealing with different personal pains, conflict, depression, sadness, loneliness, trauma, etc.
Be Grateful for What We Have
A man from India stopped by on his way to work and talked about being grateful to be in America.. Says people need to be more grateful for what we have here. If a person were to fall down ill in the streets right here, within 2 minutes there would be someone to help them and take them to the hospital. We are able to metaphorically, take water out of the glass (with various services and benefits of living here) and everyone needs to do their part and put some back it. He repeatedly said he was very grateful that we were there to listen to people.
Feeling Politically Traumatized
A woman from Washington DC sat down and talked about her distress and trauma about the current political situation.
Walls are Up
People walk by fast in the downtown plaza, there is a certain wall up. Some think it is because people are asked for stuff on the streets all the time, ie, money, to sign political stuff, etc. People are in a hurry to get to places, appointments, etc.
A Woman at the Crossroads
One woman had just left a friend’s car and was at a crossroads as to what to do. She had competing feelings and thoughts about expectations, obligations, and agreements. We listened, and reflected for about 10 minutes, and she went to sit in a nearby park to contemplate it all.
Afterglow from Dancing
A man wearing a tophat with a chain of plastic four leaf clovers, shared his very pleasing afterglow from an evening of dancing with several women. This, despite the Machiavellian maneuvers of a jealous rival. The BART ride home would be sweet.
A Young Woman’s Inspiration
A young woman who was an educator spoke to Edwin and Bill about her work and was excited about the concepts of teaching listening circles in schools
