On Wednesday, April 27, the ETSU Honors College, led by Dr. Caron Medley, presented seven exhibits as part of an empathy museum. Each of the seven exhibits attempts to have visitors put themselves in someone else’s shoes. The mindset behind it is that the more aware we are of the various problems gripping the world the more we will act with compassion and understanding.
“The Sound of Silence” challenges visitors to attempt to read lips while wearing noise-canceling headphones. A challenging feat made even harder once a mask gets introduced. The exhibit opened conversations regarding deaf issues regarding accessibility and inclusion. The goal was to have visitors appreciate the gift of hearing.
“Phone, Keys, Wallet, Baby?” researches into the unfortunate people who accidentally left their child in the car; leaving them to suffocate. These parents face a deep stigma and are rarely given sympathy after they make this human mistake. That is the point of the exhibit; to reveal that the people who do this are not bad parents. There have been occurrences where firefighters, teachers, and even doctors have left their children in the car. The exhibit’s overarching message is that we should learn the facts before we pass judgment on to others.
“Pay to Fail” is a simulation game designed to resemble the struggles of food scarcity within the United States. Visitors are given a scenario that gives them specific requirements for the groceries they buy as well as provides a budget. Scenarios range from single parents to families of eight to people struggling with various allergies. The point of the exhibit is to make the visitors try and figure out the problem themselves.
Maybe a shopping cart of raw lentils, canned beans, and peanut butter is within your budget, but are these the groceries you often buy for yourself? The requirements of each scenario made the simulation a greater challenge and act as a reminder that just because one is living in poverty does not mean they do not have the privilege to buy frivolous things.
The museum exceeded visitor expectations tenfold. Empathy is one of the most important skills we as people can learn. Next year the Empathy Museum will return bigger and more thought-provoking than before.
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