We are not born indifferent; we are trained into it

This is so good. And it's the same with hate, we learn to hate and discriminate other people.

teaching empathy and respect should be treated as seriously as teaching mathematics

Totally agree with this. I know that teachers already have a lot in their plates, but if the parents don't teach their children good values, the schools should step in and teach them how to be a good community that supports each other.