It was a video seen around the world. But what did it really show? In this, the second episode of my new YouTube investigative series, a companion piece to MAN IN THE MIRROR the book, Emma Goldberg of The New York Times and I break down the clip so many briefly saw and made their minds up about. What might a closer look show?
Thanks for watching, and, as always, let me know what you think:
Catch up on the first episode here:
The Book is everything.
Very interesting thank you dear Emma💞 and Anand💞 I so agree that there is this crucial gap you spoke of between the people who were present and actually living the experience, and afterwards when the video wafted out into the ether, and the endless meaning making began. However I will add that every one of the people actually present and participating in the incident also equally laid their “frame” you called it - their assumptions, their emotions/fears, their judgments - on what they observed and acted from them. For example I can’t help wondering what might have happened if someone had simply seen a hungry human being pulled out their lunch sandwich, or a banana from their grocery bag and handed it to Jordan. Or if Daniel had listened to the man/“the tourist” - one of the two who were “helping” as you put it - who, clearly concerned about the intensity of the force and the length of time it was being applied, suggested he’d hold Jordan’s arms, so Daniel could ease up? You previously spoke how we purposefully dehumanize our young people during military/marine training. Stripping them of their innate fundamental love and compassion for humanity. I wonder why we are surprised when the intended response to perceived threat happens? That instant identifying, objectifying, and “othering” of a human being as “the enemy”, and the “natural” leap to violent physical action. Bless us all! With love, 🌺