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Writer's pictureDeric Hollings

Indiscriminate Killing



Take a look at the above-indicated photo that depicts Gaza in the aftermath of a bombing campaign by Israel. What comes to mind as you view the image?


I’m not one who subscribes to the idea of people truly being able to empathize with other people, because I think it’s an absurd claim to know and share the emotional experiences of others, so instead I invite the reader to use rational compassion.


In short, this is the attempt to imagine the experience of another person so that one may better understand what an individual endures, though without appropriating the actual emotive, sensory, or behavioral experience of that person.


What do you envision it would be like to have had your home reduced to rubble from a bombing operation? What might it be like to sift through the rubble in order to retrieve something to eat, a familial heirloom, or even the remains of a loved one?


Looking at the photo, you may assume the scene is associated with the 2023 Israel-Hamas war which is currently unfolding. If so, your assumption is inaccurate.


According to the May 14, 2021 source of the photo, “Death toll from Israeli air strikes has risen to 119 killed, including 31 children and 19 women, with 830 wounded.” You read that right, the image is from two years ago.


Now, I invite the reader to consider the report of CNN which claims of the current casualty count:


According to the latest reports by local health authorities and media, at least 2,215 Palestinians were reportedly killed, including over 700 children, and more than 8,714 people wounded, including more than 2,450 children.


Using rational compassion, what do you imagine it’s like to experience trauma associated with Israel’s indiscriminate killing? Perhaps you can’t even begin to conceptualize the ordeal, because your emotive state prevents you from the practice of compassion for others.


Like so many other people I’ve observed since last week’s Hamas attack on Israel, maybe you’ve become intoxicated by rhetoric of a herd mentality and now cannot think critically about your previous moral and ethical principles related to human life.


You may very well irrationally believe that civilians uninvolved with active conflict concerning Israel deserve Israel’s retribution. Regarding this wanton disregard, I’m reminded of rapper Future’s song “Sh!t,” in which he states, “Brrt, stick ‘em. Fuck you and every nigga came witcha!”


The rapper’s use of “brrt” is an onomatopoeia relating to the sound of gunfire. A “stick” is often used to describe a long gun, such as an AK-47 or AR-15. In this case, “stick ‘em” relates to shooting someone.


Regarding indiscriminate killing, saying, “Fuck you and every nigga came witcha!” represents Future’s declaration that even if unintended targets are affiliated with the primary objective of violence there is no concern for their lives on behalf of the shooter, such as an event like a drive-by shooting.


If you would condemn the act of a drive-by shooting that results in the loss of innocent life, though condone the behavior of Israel’s bombing which has resulted in the loss of innocent life, I suspect that you’re using flawed logic and reasoning.


If this is the case and you would like to know more about how to disturb yourself less through use of a healthier approach to life, I may be able to help. Noteworthy, I have experience working with rage, hostility, aggression, and violence.


If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.


As the world’s foremost old school hip hop REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.


At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!



Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW


References:


AP. (2021, May 14). In pictures: Death and misery for Palestinians as Israel pounds Gaza with air strikes. Dawn. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/news/1623724

Fassihi, F. and Bergman, R. (2023, October 14). Hamas attack on Israel brings new scrutiny of group’s ties to Iran. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/13/world/middleeast/hamas-iran-israel-attack.html

Future. (2012, September 23). Future - Sh!t [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Q4_Luckf5bE?si=dQQDw5S1QAOsQPjW

Hollings, D. (2022, November 18). Big T, little t. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/big-t-little-t

Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer

Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use

Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better

Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/

Hollings, D. (2023, May 18). Irrational beliefs. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/irrational-beliefs

Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason

Hollings, D. (2023, October 2). Morals and ethics. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/morals-and-ethics

Hollings, D. (2022, October 22). On empathy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-empathy

Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance

Kent, L. (2023, October 14). More than 700 Palestinian children reportedly killed in Gaza, UNICEF says. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-news-hamas-war-10-14-23/index.html

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Future (rapper). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_(rapper)

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Herd mentality. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_mentality

Wikipedia. (n.d.). 2023 Israel-Hamas war. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Israel%E2%80%93Hamas_war

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