Quote:
Originally posted by Rudey
Oh I see. Let's look up some famous klansmen that lynched some blacks and identify with their frustrations. I hope nobody tries objects to the sympathizing.
-Rudey
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sym·pa·thy
n. pl. sym·pa·thies
-A relationship or an affinity between people or things in which whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other.
-Mutual understanding or affection arising from this relationship or affinity.
-The act or power of sharing the feelings of another.
-A feeling or an expression of pity or sorrow for the distress of another; compassion or commiseration. Often used in the plural.
-Harmonious agreement; accord: He is in sympathy with their beliefs.
-A feeling of loyalty; allegiance. Often used in the plural: His sympathies lie with his family.
-Physiology. A relation between parts or organs by which a disease or disorder in one induces an effect in the other.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
I don't think anyone here was giving excuses or justifying the act. I think you are reading too much into this.
And I'm sure there are lots of people in the world that can relate to the frustrations of a Klansman. Its not the same as excusing the behavior.
BTW, the word you were looking for is
empathy
em·pa·thy n.
-Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives.
-The attribution of one's own feelings to an object.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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