I really commend that type of behavior (I really respect someone that has the good heart to do such a thing) not because I think it's the right thing to do (though it is), but because my reaction would have been to immediately go into a "maim the fucker up" mode. I've lived in some extremely bad parts of town where you either make a stand or get robbed and injured everyday. My instant reaction is to put my life in risk to injure the assailant, which is wrong because you never know how that person ended up doing what he/she is doing.
Next time I'm in a situation as this I'll think first about the person doing the robbing before making a decision to let go or assault back. Great story.
I have never been robbed, but, living in the largest city in Canada, I know that eventually it will happen.
I've always felt that in such a situation, I would refuse to be a victim, and so in my mind, that always meant resisting, fighting back, and convincing them that it was a bad idea to rob me.
It wasn't until listening to this that I realized that you don't have to be the victim even if you do give them your wallet.
>My instant reaction is to put my life in risk to injure the assailant, which is wrong because you never know how that person ended up doing what he/she is doing.
It doesn't matter. They probably have a very hard life, and that's sad, but ultimately it doesn't matter. It is completely moral to defend yourself against an assailant, and if that involves injuring them (or even killing, if necessary), then so be it.
This is an inspiring story in its way, even though I reject the thought processes of the victim. But I wonder what happened to the kid afterwards. If he gave up his life of crime, then great; if he continued to mug people, not so great.
Oh by no means did I want to convey that you should give up the right to defend yourself. I meant that if you can defuse the situation in a non violent way in the case where you deem the assailant worthy of a second chance you might as well take the high road and try that first. However, if the risk is well beyond the benefit of helping the person, or your first advance towards a pacific defuse of the situation proved nill, go ahead and come out with guns blazing.
It's not that I'm going to stop protecting myself, but that next time I want to make sure it's not some scrawny kid that wasn't really even thinking of hurting me who really just needs 5 bucks to get a meal today.
Storycorps also has an outstanding book/audiobook that I'd highly recommend if you're interested in hearing some of their best of stories called Listening is an Act of Love
“By listening closely to one another, we can help illuminate the true character of this nation reminding us all just how precious each day can be and how truly great it is to be alive."
- Dave Isay, Founder, StoryCorps
Thanks for sharing this. Listening to StoryCorps is always a pleasure :)
Next time I'm in a situation as this I'll think first about the person doing the robbing before making a decision to let go or assault back. Great story.