I was walking outside with my gf on a pedestrian crossing when a guy on a scooter didn’t feel like breaking and almost hit us when crossing the street. I’m a calm person but at the same time I can feel intense rage with stuff like this and my first thought is to kick the guy off his scooter and beat him to a pulp. This, of course, never happens and I can remain calm. I did a civil fuck you symbol to the guy to get my point across.

I was discussing my rage feelings with my girlfriend and we got into a rather heavy discussion about violence. So, I get called gay a lot because of the way I dress and act sometimes. Especially in my smaller hometown. I said to my gf that I could reach a point where I just beat the next guy calling me gay for being a homophobic shit. She could not agree with me on this and she got mad about it, and we had a debate on using violence (with gay people, minorities and Palestina vs Israel as examples being used). She could follow me on supporting armed resistance in Palestina but she could not accept gay people snapping and beating a homophobic guy, which I can totally understand. Eventually we agreed to disagree, sort of, and we let the topic rest.

Which made me wonder how you guys think about this. Is using violence against injustice acceptable? Is there a certain line for when you can use violence and when not? We socialists fight against injustice, and violence may be a part of that fight somewhere along the line. How should we view the use of violence?

  • DankZedong OPA
    201·
    2 years ago

    Or in a less deranged sounding rant: what do you guys think about confronting people with shitty behavior in public? I myself always talk to people if I see them being a dick, littering, injustice whatever. It seems to work sometimes and people seem actually ashamed when being confronted with their own shitty actions. But I’m also a 6’1-2 guy.

    • Muad'DibberA
      161·
      2 years ago

      I def agree with confronting ppl if possible, because otherwise it almost gives them license to be a dick, because they face no repercussions. Even a minor annoyance to them is better than nothing, and will possibly prevent a future person from being negatively affected by their behavior.

      • DankZedong OPA
        8·
        2 years ago

        I have to highlight the minor annoyance part here because I think some people understood my post as being violent towards people that litter for example lol. Confront them and talk to them if possible, don’t beat people because they throw shit on the ground lol.

      • 201dberg
        8·
        2 years ago

        Idk about that. I have seen plenty of shorter individuals be pretty in your face and confrontational. I myself am 6ft and I do not like confrontation. Like at all. I get way too nervous and uncomfortable and it only is ever in an extreme situation if I am.

        That being said size definitely helps with being intimidating. I’ve only rarely had to use it that way. Generally I just avoid. I’ve luckily never been in a serious situation where it was necessary.

    • Makan
      219·
      2 years ago

      This is wrong.

      I can see why people like me are being ruled by the likes of you simply for being 5’1 or something. You not only use your strength to oppress people like me, you think it’s somehow morally good.

      For shame. I hope I never meet you in real life.

      Go to hell.

      • DankZedong OPA
        171·
        2 years ago

        That’s a bit rough don’t you think. I never confront people just to bully them. Quite the opposite. I just confront people because I want them to know that their actions aren’t preferred in the public space. You littering is affecting others. And I’m not going to threaten you, just say that your behavior is affecting others in a negative way.

        But thanks for your feedback, comrade. I wouldn’t ever want to make you feel bad.

        • Makan
          111·
          2 years ago

          Don’t play coy with me. Big people always think that they’re doing it for moral or altruistic reasons. Don’t talk to me.

          • DankZedong OPA
            121·
            2 years ago

            No prob. I will block you and leave you be. All the best.

          • CannotSleep420
            91·
            2 years ago

            Does being small necessarily make one less capable of wielding violence? Size can only get someone so far, and if that’s all they have going for them they’re a paper tiger.

            • Makan
              18·
              2 years ago

              This is dumb. Being big only goes so far but it does give someone a clear advantage. I am powerless against them.

        • Makan
          314·
          2 years ago

          I know this person’s type; I’ve dealt with them before on the other side. I’m not big. They are. And they abuse their power, time after time, and then make sermons about what “good deeds” and “good intentions” they have.

          I will have my voice heard at least.