Admirable post that truly opened my mind in many ways. Possibly the most relevant thing I’ve read in a long time. In a world that sees things only in black and white, friend or enemy, the concept of “holding two truths” seemingly conflictive at once is revolutionary. Thanks. Lucky to be subscribed.
Thank you so much! I hadn't heard of this incident, but as a sister and mother to several relatives with serious mental illness, your sensibility is most welcomed, and your analysis so perfectly right on. Such a terrible tragedy, unavoidable in that moment, but your ideas for reducing this risk are exactly what we need to get serious about.
At services this weekend our rabbi talked about the need — now more than ever — to be able to hold two conflicting truths at the same time. Earlier today I listened to an enlightening episode of Sam Harris’ podcast where Yuval Noah Harari was talking about the same thing. Then I read your piece, which is beautiful, sad, and also urgent. Your conclusion seems to be in the air I’m breathing lately and I just hope it’s airborne and spreading, because I don’t recognize the world anymore and it’s getting harder everyday to even know where I stand in relationship to it. The world needs more of your grandfather. Thank you for always sharing so much of your personal experience with us.
I can’t imagine the demons running through her at when she answered the door and I question if a mental health expert or another police officer would have helped. If she had a history of mental health issues, was this communicated? Did the person that requested the wellness check convey the reasons?
You have written with a broken heart, and you have broken mine in the process. (Your writing affects readers powerfully.) What does one do when "right or wrong", as if opposite sides of a coin, are not so simple, don't seem to apply so neatly? So many lives shattered. Are our hearts large enough to feel grief for them all? I hope so.
Have any of you ever had to fight for your life in a moment of time? I had to several times in my 18-months in Vietnam. That I am now a ripe old 74 and writing this doesn’t speak to my skill or training as a soldier, it speaks to a grace I never knew back then. Come back with me to Vietnam in 1970 and live this moment in time when I was faced with two conflicting truths. Moving thru a small village with my men, a Vietnamese woman suddenly appeared to my left. She looked to be pregnant, and she had an AK-47 pointed straight at me. Before I could bring my M-16 around I heard the AK-47 click, and then click again. It misfired and in that small moment of eternity, I was able to aim my M-16 at her head because something inside my head did not want to shoot the baby in her belly. Two conflicting truths – kill the mother to save my life but not kill the baby in her belly? I was 20-years old at the time. No, I didn’t kill a pregnant Vietnamese woman. Under her dress was a suicide vest filled with explosives. When you’re fighting for your life, there are no rational decisions. Truth at that moment is contained in the events unfolding faster than the brain can process and the body can react. TWO CONFLICTING TRUTHS? The two conflicting truths in your mind at that moment are kill or be killed. Time is the real enemy, not your assailant. You must choose in that instant of time. Which would you choose? Police officers are faced with this reality every day and we, the public they have sworn to protect and defend then have the luxury of time to sit in judgement of their actions. Yes, this incident is sad and heartbreaking. No, justice was not served. We are all the worse off now. The truth is that mental illness in America is a pandemic all its own, and no law of man has ever been able to deal with the mentally ill effectively. TWO CONFLICTING TRUTHS? Officer Liu does not have the luxury of two conflicting truths. He has only one truth to deal with: he took Sydney Wilson’s life and, self-defense or not, he has to live with that one truth the rest of his life. He’s now serving a life sentence because he had to choose between two conflicting truths. You’ll never get justice in this sick and broken world in which we live, at least not for now.
Yes, I have had to fight for my life. Once in Bangkok, I was attacked by a group of gangsters armed with knives. Once in Cuzco, I found myself caught between violent protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and military tanks and soldiers brutally putting them down. I have had other near-death experiences, so I feel I can understand the mindset of the officer to some degree. Thanks for sharing your story. But I think Liu does have the luxury of two conflicting truths. Not in the exact moment. But looking back, he can both feel sorrow for the life he took without feeling as if he did anything immoral in defending his own life.
So refreshing to read something carefully considered, nuanced. These situations are rarely routine, rarely black-and-white (!)... rarely one individual solely at fault... thanks, David, and let's all try to do and to be better.
How little we understand of everything, the brain, the effects of pharmaceuticals - starting and stopping, the daily needs of the mentally ill. We should have more humility, and in some areas patience.
Admirable post that truly opened my mind in many ways. Possibly the most relevant thing I’ve read in a long time. In a world that sees things only in black and white, friend or enemy, the concept of “holding two truths” seemingly conflictive at once is revolutionary. Thanks. Lucky to be subscribed.
Thank you so much! I hadn't heard of this incident, but as a sister and mother to several relatives with serious mental illness, your sensibility is most welcomed, and your analysis so perfectly right on. Such a terrible tragedy, unavoidable in that moment, but your ideas for reducing this risk are exactly what we need to get serious about.
At services this weekend our rabbi talked about the need — now more than ever — to be able to hold two conflicting truths at the same time. Earlier today I listened to an enlightening episode of Sam Harris’ podcast where Yuval Noah Harari was talking about the same thing. Then I read your piece, which is beautiful, sad, and also urgent. Your conclusion seems to be in the air I’m breathing lately and I just hope it’s airborne and spreading, because I don’t recognize the world anymore and it’s getting harder everyday to even know where I stand in relationship to it. The world needs more of your grandfather. Thank you for always sharing so much of your personal experience with us.
I can’t imagine the demons running through her at when she answered the door and I question if a mental health expert or another police officer would have helped. If she had a history of mental health issues, was this communicated? Did the person that requested the wellness check convey the reasons?
So many unknowns with many answer lost forever.
You have written with a broken heart, and you have broken mine in the process. (Your writing affects readers powerfully.) What does one do when "right or wrong", as if opposite sides of a coin, are not so simple, don't seem to apply so neatly? So many lives shattered. Are our hearts large enough to feel grief for them all? I hope so.
Have any of you ever had to fight for your life in a moment of time? I had to several times in my 18-months in Vietnam. That I am now a ripe old 74 and writing this doesn’t speak to my skill or training as a soldier, it speaks to a grace I never knew back then. Come back with me to Vietnam in 1970 and live this moment in time when I was faced with two conflicting truths. Moving thru a small village with my men, a Vietnamese woman suddenly appeared to my left. She looked to be pregnant, and she had an AK-47 pointed straight at me. Before I could bring my M-16 around I heard the AK-47 click, and then click again. It misfired and in that small moment of eternity, I was able to aim my M-16 at her head because something inside my head did not want to shoot the baby in her belly. Two conflicting truths – kill the mother to save my life but not kill the baby in her belly? I was 20-years old at the time. No, I didn’t kill a pregnant Vietnamese woman. Under her dress was a suicide vest filled with explosives. When you’re fighting for your life, there are no rational decisions. Truth at that moment is contained in the events unfolding faster than the brain can process and the body can react. TWO CONFLICTING TRUTHS? The two conflicting truths in your mind at that moment are kill or be killed. Time is the real enemy, not your assailant. You must choose in that instant of time. Which would you choose? Police officers are faced with this reality every day and we, the public they have sworn to protect and defend then have the luxury of time to sit in judgement of their actions. Yes, this incident is sad and heartbreaking. No, justice was not served. We are all the worse off now. The truth is that mental illness in America is a pandemic all its own, and no law of man has ever been able to deal with the mentally ill effectively. TWO CONFLICTING TRUTHS? Officer Liu does not have the luxury of two conflicting truths. He has only one truth to deal with: he took Sydney Wilson’s life and, self-defense or not, he has to live with that one truth the rest of his life. He’s now serving a life sentence because he had to choose between two conflicting truths. You’ll never get justice in this sick and broken world in which we live, at least not for now.
Yes, I have had to fight for my life. Once in Bangkok, I was attacked by a group of gangsters armed with knives. Once in Cuzco, I found myself caught between violent protesters throwing Molotov cocktails and military tanks and soldiers brutally putting them down. I have had other near-death experiences, so I feel I can understand the mindset of the officer to some degree. Thanks for sharing your story. But I think Liu does have the luxury of two conflicting truths. Not in the exact moment. But looking back, he can both feel sorrow for the life he took without feeling as if he did anything immoral in defending his own life.
So refreshing to read something carefully considered, nuanced. These situations are rarely routine, rarely black-and-white (!)... rarely one individual solely at fault... thanks, David, and let's all try to do and to be better.
Oops. I inadvertently liked my comment! Sorry
I will find it in my heart to forgive you, Juan.
How little we understand of everything, the brain, the effects of pharmaceuticals - starting and stopping, the daily needs of the mentally ill. We should have more humility, and in some areas patience.
Thank you David. Every thing works well now. I will renew my subscription.