Cynthetiq

This is something that I aspire and wish that I had the courage and stones to do.

I used to turn the other cheek, but the years have jaded me. Living in the city has given me a thicker skin and the ability to tune it out.

Do you think that you could do something like this and confront your mugger/assailant with the best of kindness?

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Willravel

You'd not only be surprised how easy it is, but how good it makes you feel. Just bear in mind that most muggers don't want to hurt anyone, and are doing what they're doing out of pure desperation. It's amazing how quickly they become human again when given their dignity back.

Cynthetiq

It would require the premise of being mugged first. I have never been mugged, and do my best to keep myself out of that statistic pool.

As far as taking someone for food, that's done and been done and will continue to be done.

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

fresnelly

I gather that Diaz's experience as a Social Worker and long time resident of the area gave him the ability to correctly read the mugger's true character. If the kid was an obviously hardened criminal, I doubt Diaz would have been so bold.

Regardless, I'd be to terrified to do anything other than submit to the mugger's demands.

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Punk.of.Ages

This is quite inspiring.

It's not that I don't have the courage or stones to do something like this, I doubt I have the temper.

That encounter would've had a lot more of a violent end had I been in Diaz's shoes.

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Lindy

I've become jaded enough that I doubt the veracity of the story. And we're missing the chorus of angelic Father Flanagans intoning "There's no such thing as a bad boy." in the background.

Lindy

canuckguy

Great story, and that is a set of testicles on Diaz. I agree with fresnelly about the type of criminal this action would have worked on. I am pretty sure a true thug would have spilled Mr Diaz's stomach across the sidewalk with that knife.

Either way, more power to him for stepping up and making a difference. He is more of a man than i am.

I have been presented with a knife in my face twice in my life, first time i gave up everything upon request. Second time i had just left work after a bad day and stood up to the attacker and requested a "throw down" if he wanted my valuables. The dude did run away, but stupid move because you never know what he could have done to me.

BadNick

I heard that report on NPR yesterday and it left me with good feelings. The same day here in Philadelphia there is a developing story about a young guy who was manager of a Starbucks in downtown Phila, who was confronted and perhaps assaulted by a few high school teenagers on the subway train platform on his way home; the poor guy seems to have gone into an asthmatic attack and cardiac arrest and died. As of my last check, they have one of the kids in custody.

I recall over 40yrs ago standing on a busy corner on my way to high school when some older street thug looking kid demands my coat (it was Spring and this was a nice trenchcoat), though no weapon visible which would probaby change my reaction; my adrenaline kicks into high gear, my street senses take over, I push the guy and say something like "wtf do you think you're doing you f-ing a-hole" and he runs away; after all these years I think I would still be tempted to react that way, maybe even with more sudden violence; unless I sensed some faint glimmer of sympathy, in which case I can see offering to help; I've given people money/food plenty of times.

RetroGunslinger

I figure it all depends on the situation, really. In this case, it was a kid who as far as I can tell, wasn't that threatening with the exception of the knife. I can see myself doing the same basic thing Diaz did. However, if it was someone a little more tough, keeping my awful temper in the equation, I might just have had to knife the bastard myself. Again, it all depends. A knife is one thing, now if he had a gun... "What? My wallet? Well here, take my pants, it's all good homey!"

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Ustwo

You'd not only be surprised how easy it is, but how good it makes you feel. Just bear in mind that most muggers don't want to hurt anyone, and are doing what they're doing out of pure desperation. It's amazing how quickly they become human again when given their dignity back.

Heartwarming story, but there are several realities out there in life. You are dealing with someone willing to face violence for a few dollars. Not all will be confused kids.

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SSJTWIZTA

im with both retro and punk.

it does depend on the situation. in the violent place im from ive seen people get stabbed or shot for some of the stupidest shit you can imagine. So, if a mugger asked for my shit, i would give it up with out opening my mouth,because if i do i know theres a chance of mr. short temper mugger going:

"Fuck ya, pussy n*gga!" and stabbing my fucking guts out.

but on the other hand, if i had the chance i would totally smash his face in and take my belongings back. Want to see SSJTWIZTA go off the deep end? take something he's worked for.
want to see SSJTWIZTA turn into a blood thirsty super demon? pull a weapon on him.

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First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak out for me.
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Cynthetiq

yeah we had a a situation not too far from our apt. Nicole duFresne gave her purse to a mugger and then said, "What are you going to do, shoot us?" So he did.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/ny...n=&oref=slogin

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Merlocke

inspirational, but not always the case.

A drowning person may end up drowning his rescuers just simply trying to stay breathing. Thought provoking nonetheless though. Thanks for the post

A friend of mine teaches martial arts, and his story is that one of his students was once attacked by someone. The student easily beats the attacker and drops them time after time. After beating the would-be mugger multiple times, he turns around to leave and the mugger pulls a knife out and stabs the student in the back, causing wounds that led to death. What I was taught was to finish the job that you start. If you're going to have to fight, then win. Knock them out, take out their wallet and car keys and throw them in different directions as far as you can, and get the hell out of there immediately because good guy or not, victim or not, the police would go harder on you because you won the fight.

Still, the highest level that a martial artist could hope to attain would be to turn an enemy into a friend without the need for a battle in the first place. I'd love to reach that rank some day.

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-=[ Merlocke ]=-

echo5delta

Lindy, you're soulless and have a heart of stone.

Also, I luff you, because that's exactly what crossed my mind.

Mugging is a BUSINESS. Not a Disney flick.

Merlocke, I think we'd ALL loce to reach that rank someday - preferably tomorrow...

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genuinegirly

I like this article. Thanks for sharing it.

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"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy