If someone sincerely, violently attacked me, I would do everything I could to prevent them from succeeding. There is a continuum of available responses to an assault, and I believe strongly in finding the most ethical of those to neutralize an attack. However, I am not a master martial artist, and my lack of skill might necessitate that I fall back upon something easier if it meant saving my life.
That's not macho posturing, really -- I do have a clue as to whether or not I could fight back against someone attempting to hurt me, and I know that being assaulted and left feeling powerless is something that can ruin or end your life. I've seen and experienced both second-hand. I certainly don't wish either on anyone, but if you "know" that you would respond in kind to violence against others, you might find that your own personal boundaries aren't where you think they are, especially if you've never been in a situation that tested them.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2009-06-06 02:06 pm (UTC)That's not macho posturing, really -- I do have a clue as to whether or not I could fight back against someone attempting to hurt me, and I know that being assaulted and left feeling powerless is something that can ruin or end your life. I've seen and experienced both second-hand. I certainly don't wish either on anyone, but if you "know" that you would respond in kind to violence against others, you might find that your own personal boundaries aren't where you think they are, especially if you've never been in a situation that tested them.