A series of interviews sent to me (re: mentorship) that you may also enjoy.

https://mentoring.esquire.com/

I’ve been reading Ecclesiastes over the last 24 hours. I’m convinced that in spite of his good points, Solomon was depressed. It’s strange to me to use him as an example of why people wouldn’t chase riches, pleasure through companionship, and power. The logic is that as the richest man who ever lived, we should just trust his judgment regarding the futility of it all.

He had it all, but said it was like chasing the wind. Futility. If he was poor or hungry he probably wouldn’t have felt that way. A lot of people who have been less rich have taken great pleasure in it all. Just like how some people have to first hit rock bottom in order to make sound decisions, some others need to touch the sky…

“The inches we need are everywhere around us.. They’re in every minute, every second. We fight for that inch. We tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when we add up all those inches that’s gonna make the difference between winning and losing!! Between living and dying!!” – Any Given Sunday – Pep Talk.

“Always the beautiful answer, who asks a more beautiful question.” – E. E. Cummings.

What does this mean to you, and what action does it illicit?

I just wondered to myself:

I wonder how many people who hit their partners are victims of psychological abuse by said partner? In other words, how many relationships are co-abusive, and how does (can that) abuse manifest itself?

Is “hitting” merely the neanderthalic, obvious, and obviously illegal response?

Are there equally stringent mandates against psychological abuse?

How often is hitting, egregious as it may be, viewed outside of the context (which yes, does give rise to conversations on provocation, though no, is not an excuse)?

That we are so prejudiced towards certain types of victims and abuses is obvious, to some extent even makes sense. For example, some abuse affects physical well-being and actual life; whereas others affect emotional well-being and quality of life. Nevertheless, I think to address this topic meaningfully, these questions (and our biases) can not be ignored. In fact, these questions are really only the tip of the iceberg.

NB: If you are inclined to respond in an unthinking or myopic way, please don’t. I would like to engage in thoughtful analysis, not mindless and emotional politics.

The media: Men need to realize that it’s never ok to hit a woman.

Me: People need to realize that it’s never ok to hit PEOPLE… UNLESS one is under attack or defending an otherwise defenseless person (which includes men and women, on BOTH sides).

Fact: More men are abused by women, than vice versa regarding both physical and psychological abuse. 40% of all “severe physical abuse” was directed at men. Sources: Center for Disease Control and Dept. of Justice.

The media: Athletes need to realize..

Me: No. PEOPLE need to realize..

People need to realize that this isn’t about gender (or racial or socioeconomic) politics; this is about treating other human beings respectfully. One and all. To and fro. The “strong” and “weak” can each play a part.