At this evening’s Rose Cafe, Judge Miller was asked about how he copes with knowing the types and amounts of evil that exist in the world. In response, he stressed the importance of empathy, especially after his experiences working with and defending people who have allegedly committed horrible crimes. He pointed out that people are not black and white — there is always gray area, and humans are full of complications. Very few people are exclusively good or bad, and the best way to witness this is to, as Atticus Finch says, walk in someone else’s skin. This analysis clearly extends beyond the scope of criminal defense, though it is evidently applicable and imperative for those within it. Like criminal defense lawyers, we as citizens of the world are faced with the mixing of good and bad every day, and it is easy to become bogged down in negatives. Judge Miller pointed out that we as humans often attempt to judge people by the most awful action or quality we have heard they possess. Should we continue through life this way, the world would turn into a fairly depressing place. However, much of the conflict in the world today could be solved by a simple dose of empathy and understanding. Despite all the negativity we might witness (and exclusively perceive), we as the future influencers of the world have a responsibility to take that medicine and see the world in a better light.