Three Stories of Punishment:

Situation #1: It is before the American Civil war, in Mississippi.  “Boy go get my coat”, the master says.  Off the boy goes to fetch his master’s coat.  On the way back, he trips and falls, and gets mud all over his master’s coat.  As punishment he is whipped.

Situation #2: It is during the Second World War, and a Jew in a concentration camp is asked to do 100 jumping jacks, but can’t because she is sick.  As punishment she is punched in the stomach causing her to fall down in pain.

Situation #3: It is modern times, and a woman is up all night with a sick baby.  All day the next day she lovingly rocks her baby, and cares for her baby the best way she knows how.  Finally in the afternoon the baby falls asleep.  Her husband comes home, and finds that his supper isn’t ready, and his house isn’t as clean as it usually is.  As punishment she is spanked.

What’s the differences between these three stories?

Time, place, and situation.  Basically setting.  That’s all.

What’s the similarities of these three stories?

In all 3 the people are harmed for small and petty reasons.  In all the people are victims.  All of the stories are terrible, and the actions of the bullies are very wrong.  All of these stories have abuse of power.

If you think the first two stories are terrible.  If you say “I’m not a racist, and slavery was wrong”, and if you say “I’m not anti-Semitic and anti-Semitism is wrong”, then you should say “I’m not a wife abuser and wife abuse is wrong.”

I got a heart wrenching comment from a woman this week.  She said her husband chooses her clothes, her make-up, her hair, and her actions.  She never did anything without her husband’s permission.

What is the difference between her abuse and the abuse of first two stories?