The Pedagogical Possibilities of Historical Empathy for Addressing Racial Injustice in the Past and Present

• In Event: Students' Histories and Experiences at the Center: Defining "Difficult" and Worthy Historical Investigations

Abstract

This paper explores the pedagogical possibilities of historical empathy for addressing racial injustice, within and beyond the history classroom. Drawing from a set of interviews conducted with 8 secondary school history teachers in Ontario, Canada, the paper considers the various skills and dispositions that are required to help students empathize with other people in the past and present. Content and approaches for addressing racial injustices are highlighted in relation to five themes: 1) recognizing that multiple and diverse perspectives and experiences exist and are informed by different contexts; 2) demonstrating open-mindedness towards other perspectives; 3) developing emotional awareness and sensitivity; 4) drawing connections between the past, present, and future; and 5) engaging agency to create change.

Author

• Sara Karn, McMaster University