For ordinary kindness in human geography

Abstract

In this commentary, I make a case for recognizing and encouraging in human geography a sort of mundane kindness that is unremarkable in its ambition, but potentially profound in its impacts. Although it is important to continue to analyze the conditions that have left so many of us in need of acts of kindness that compensate for the failures and violence of the neoliberal academy, I argue that alongside this critical scholarship we could continue to make room for ‘ordinary’ kindness that does not necessarily need to justify itself through critical reflection.