I would argue that the sanitation worker was being subjected to a prolonged, persistent, and increasingly aggravated verbal assault by that horrendously rude student who knew without question that her actions were well beyond the bounds of acceptable behaviour in this society; at 16 years old she does know better. I don’t recall if I commented on that story but I do not believe that man should have been fired as a result of him giving her a full ringing slap in her potty mouth. The law is the law and we must conform to it or set about to reform it if we believe it unjust. The law fined him and it was paid by a section of community in an act of solidarity as we disagreed with the application of the law to this particular situation.

In the case above, some rumours are being spread and someone believes they know the source. This is a completely different scenario to the potty mouthed girl and the sanitation worker. One adult initiated an assault on another and which resulted in an exchange of blows (slaps?). In this case the community has no issue with the application of the law and so there is no outcry.

Notice that in both instances that the initiator of the physical assault has been brought before the courts. The judicial system has treated both cases equally. That is all we can control. Public sentiment will be what it is and will change from case to case. However, as long as we have an impartial judicial system all cases will be treated the same in the courts and that is what really counts.

Man slapping a teen for a potty mouth: acceptable to the community.
Woman slapping another woman for spreading a rumour: not acceptable to the community.

That is where we are today. Perhaps as a result of highlighting the comparison of these cases the community’s views will change. I doubt it.

Ride