Overview
The challenge is to write an essay on the subject of toxic positivity. If you’re reading this in November, 2020, the current essay prompt on empathy is here; this challenge also answers that prompt.
Our writing guide, which works for any and all writing responses, is here. You’ll want it for this challenge.
Toxic positivity needs a definition first. This article starts with one:
You can see the relationship to empathy in just the definition. This subject is nuanced and complex, which is important — most emotions and states of being are nuanced and complex.
As you read that article, begin to think about this challenge. What could you write about toxic positivity? Where is the river for this subject? Some options:
You could write about how toxic positivity elides the complicated nature of mental health; how toxic positivity shames the human need to speak about pain and suffering; how demonizing negativity prevents us from working toward solutions; or how toxic positivity is born of the same “bubble of privilege” that came up in the lecture notes on empathy (in the section on “excellent sheep”).
You could also respond to the articles and image embedded below the cut. You should read them for a contextual exploration of toxic positivity — and if you pay careful attention to the one written by a teacher, you’ll recognize the educational context that led directly to this challenge.
This is an essay that needs to be written, and I’m challenging you to do it. Toxic positivity undermines empathy, and empathy is what connects us.
Start Date: November 24, 2020
Deadline: December–January*
*If you take on this challenge on or after 11/24, you’ll get an extension on the deadline for the “empathy” essay.
More on Toxic Positivity
In this fireside chat letter from November 5, 2020, the main idea is that it’s okay not to be okay:
The push to be okay needs to be monitored and mitigated by more nuance and empathy. That applies especially to high schools, where mental health is a critical issues during the best of times. One of the articles specifically addresses toxic positivity in schools:
As you think about answering the challenge to write an essay, consider this quotation from that article:
When someone says to you, “it could be worse” or “look on the bright side,” they might mean well, but what they are saying is an example of toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is when we focus on the positive and reject, deny, or displace the negative. In theory, it sounds like being optimistic, but in reality, pushing aside our unpleasant emotions only make them bigger.
In schools, toxic positivity may look like administrators urging teachers to take time for “self care,” but then loading them down with extra meetings and responsibilities. It may look like someone hanging a “teacher strong” banner in the hallway, but not paying for enough soap for the bathroom. It may look like conversations that encourage teachers to “stay positive” while not digging deeper into the issues that really matter, whether it’s COVID-19, equity, or school culture.
There is a link in that quotation, and it leads to yet another definition of toxic positivity:
This is a serious psychological concern for anyone at any time, but we are in the midst of a pandemic. What is more important than how we practice empathy and navigate optimism and hope?
Finally, here is an image making the rounds in the more empathetic corners of social media:
Answer the challenge. If you do, you can ask questions below.