“It’s not what you say. It’s how you say it.”
Although that might sound like a tired old cliche, it’s actually a vibrant truth in the world of self defense. If you want to stay out of trouble after using force against another person, you must be able to explain what you did and why you did it. Not only this, but your explanation must make sense to the rest of your community.
If your explanation makes sense in a way that good people will understand and support, you’ll probably be in solid legal, financial, and social shape after your use of force. If it doesn’t, you probably won’t.
Over on the Chiron blog, Rory Miller offers his take on articulation after a violent encounter. Take the time to read both posts and think about what he says. They’re very powerful.
After reading those posts, think about where your personal strengths and weaknesses fall in this area. When you spot a weakness, don’t just cover it up or ignore it. Actively make plans to get stronger! Do your research, learn more, and practice what you learn in ways that make sense to you.
