Aggression vs Assertiveness

In today's Western society, there seems to be confusion (mostly originating from the left), between aggression and assertiveness. Basically anything that disrupts harmony is conisdered agression and it inappropriate. The distinction is also based on the identity of the actor*.

Unfortunately most men get labeled as aggressive, even when they are doing something as simple as standing up for themselves. Take in point George Allen. A few days ago at a debate a member of the question panel challenged him on whether he is Jewish. I use the word "challenge" because they way she asked it sounded like Joseph McCarthy. Naturally he replied (some say angrily (I wouldn't blame him)).

This morning I came across the following article:
Allen's Gafe's Show Thin Skin, Mean Spirit....

In today's world for a man to show any anger, according to the left, he shows a "Thin skin" or is "Mean Spirit". Had he been mean spirited, he would have sulked and refused to deal with the reporter. Instead, he became angry (and asked why the question was asked), but he responded eloquently. He was assertive and declared his religion did not mater. Unfortunately for the people on the Left his 2 second of anger at the start was unacceptable.

Being assertive is taking care of yourself. Saying wait a second, "that is my opinion and I have a right to it" or "that has no bearing on the issue." Being aggressive is attacking, belittling, attacking an opponent. Unfortunately for the last 40-50 years there has been a get along and have consensus attitude. People standing up for themselves has been discouraged in favor of the continued tranquility.

This forced consensus leaves one side out and usually feeling resentful. When you push conflict under the rug it just gets bigger. Instead in a disagreement people should be able to air their grievance and speak their mind and find a solution.

Putting up resistance to being bull dozed is not aggression, it is being assertive (and its a right).

*Here are some examples, with accusations and disclaimers from the left:

• Bush's use of "Islamic Fascism" was agressive. Iran's use of Great Satan .... is ignored
• Draw a cartoon of Mohamad, its agression against Islam, blow up trains in London they are sassy
• Use a 400 years old quote (it gets misheard) you are attacking, protest and riot over it..you are just defending your religion.

Do you see a doule standard?? (If you look closely you can see a tie in with the Victim role, which I had previously writen about. Once someone defines their group as the victim or another group as the victimizer, they and the enablers will define any interaction based on that role. Think for a minute and try and figure out the 2 group which George Allen and the reporter belonged to).