I suggest you check out this story from Morning Edition on NPR: Should We Have Empathy For Those We Hate?
Turns out even empathy isn't what you think it is. It's actually a double-edged sword. Just like just about everything else. We use empathy to love those we love, and to hate those we hate. How to expand the circle? How not to hate?
Seems empathy for those we describe as "the other," is on the down-swing. What does that portend? Tribe against Tribe. Check out the headlines. You can see where this is going, and it's not pretty.