'Brutal kindness' is a term coined by Vanessa Andreotti to describe a form of care that prioritizes truth-telling and critical engagement over comfort. It involves confronting individuals or communities with hard realities and self-reflection, necessary for transformative change, even when these truths are painful or discomforting. This concept challenges the conventional notion of kindness which often seeks to shield individuals from uncomfortable truths to maintain immediate emotional well-being. Instead, brutal kindness is an act of deeper compassion aimed at fostering resilience, growth, and a more profound sense of responsibility and solidarity. By holding space for difficult conversations and allowing discomfort to become a catalyst for learning and change, brutal kindness seeks to dismantle oppressive systems and build more just and equitable societies.

See also: cultural supremacy, systemic violence, indigenous people, power relation, climate change