Most of us are very familiar with all types of violence in the United States (gang-related violence, shootings, terrorist attacks, police brutality, domestic violence, bullying, etc.). However, there is a very significant difference between hearing about violence from others and actually experiencing violence firsthand.
Although we hate to admit it, there is a great deal of truth in the saying, “There is comfort in wealth,” meaning that those with higher economic or social status are typically known to experience less violence in regard to gangs, drug dealers, pimps, homelessness, or domestic abuse in close proximity to their homes. Not to say that they never experience violence related to these types of issues, but we can agree for the most part that those with more money can afford more protection, a simple fact of life.
People who can afford protection from violence (e.g., stereotypical upper-class suburban family) may find it easier to disregard it, but they can also afford to instigate it and cower from it before things get too ugly for them. This also includes anyone with a phone who bullies others through social media. Most of us are guilty of it, but because we are protected behind the safety of a computer screen or podium, we do not experience as much fear or remorse as we would in a true physical confrontation.
Donald Trump is a prime example of someone who can afford to protect himself from violence. Many of us are very aware that Trump has, on numerous occasions, encouraged violence against protesters at his rallies, even if the protesters claimed to be peaceful, which you can see for yourself here. The violence that ensued usually involved Trump supporters shouting obscenities at the protesters and physically harassing them as they were escorted out of the rally, while Trump smugly watched from the safety of the stage.
Those that cannot afford such protection from violence have a higher chance of witnessing and experiencing it, making it difficult to ignore. Anyone surrounded by violence and physical confrontation with no “protection” must learn to defend themselves or otherwise risk the chance of constantly losing physical, mental, and emotional battles.
With regard to how we handle the idea of violence, it has been observed that those who grew up in the absence of violence in their home and/or neighborhood are more likely to avoid it than those who grew up in the presence of violence in their home and/or neighborhood. So when a conflict arises between two aggressors, bystanders, who are unfamiliar with violence, will flee from the situation or call for help while bystanders, who have experience with violence, will either egg on the aggressors or simply observe the situation until one of them wins. It is uncommon to find a mediator to help reach a peaceful resolution on the issue.
I recall a particular discussion in my Design Fundamentals class about a play called ‘Marisol’, written by José Rivera, involving our acceptance of violence in society, and I remember one student mentioning how we “purposefully desensitize ourselves from violence”, and another pointing out that “violence happens every day…there’s nothing we can do to change that…it’s in human nature.” These statements alone stirred up my ultimate question:
Why do we accept violence as a part of life that we cannot change?
The Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter movements both raised awareness in society to stand up against violence after the deaths of innocent people, such as Mike Brown and Tamir Rice, to name a few. Violence may be a part of human nature, but there is no reason to believe that we cannot change at least one life when we stand up for the well being of others, or even when we stand up for ourselves. We do not have to accept it and move on; we can take action to fight violence with peace. You may think that your voice is small and will remain unheard, but remember to keep in mind that when making ripples, the size of the stone you throw in the water doesn’t matter; it’s how hard you throw it.
