Quote:
Originally Posted by Dash Darington
His response absolutely was out of proportion. So was hers. She didn't like something he said, so she got in his face yelling and pointing her finger in his face. She wanted to get physically aggressive, ironically depending on the man's restraint and compassion to ensure her safety, while she sought to abuse him. What a monumentally stupid thing to do.
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At the risk of popping my head over the parapet... I don't actually disagree with that.
I would absolutely never advocate or justify anyone punching anyone else unless it's in direct response to being hit first, but on the other hand, the claim that there was zero provocation is simply false and there IS a worrying culture of people being verbally aggressive and making aggressive gestures on the assumption that they "cannot" be hurt "because that's not allowed". His action were thuggish, dangerous, and massively out of proportion and he doesn't deserve vindication but... Trying to insist that she was doing "nothing wrong" is irresponsible and dangerous. Pointing, screaming and getting in someone's face isn't an appropriate response to any situation, either. It's also (as we can see) risky behaviour that shouldn't be encouraged, for obvious reasons... Because there are people like this guy, who will snap and hurt you. It's all very well pointing out that he "shouldn't"... Of course he shouldn't... But acting as if the world IS as it SHOULD BE on principle and expecting that alone to keep you safe is not practical.
I have to also note that Dash hasn't once said that the guy's actions were right, nor made excuses that justify what he did, and has in fact repeatedly stated in one way or another that the guy crossed the line... And yet is being repeatedly accused of "saying what he did was OK" / "justifying violence" / "making excuses" and sorry guys but that is misrepresentation and strawman.
Really no different to when I'm constantly accused of "making excuses" for criminals / murderers by stating that they have psychological disorders and that those disorders are interesting and we should work to understand them.
You know. When people come in like "Understand?? What do you MEAN understand! They are evil monsters nothing to understand. Why are u saying we should just let them out and feed them lollipops and children herp de derp why u making excuses!?"
So yeah. I don't think it's wrong to try to understand this situation as a whole series of events and make criticisms of other aspects. Saying that she wasnt behaving well by pointing and shouting is NOT justifying him punching her in the face, which was horrendous.
But people are constantly making the error that "explanation" = "excuse", and failing to look at situations objectively because they're blinded by incredulity.