Welcome to the Second Half of the Special Edition Bip Report.
"The Resolution"
So how did it go? Everyone is most likely curious, and eager to know. Well...I got back in the room, and I had my doubts. And then I hear him talking to his friend, and my doubts get larger and larger. I think to myself, "Hmmm...Maybe not, huh?" I write Part 1, and I am still confused about what to do. I just sat at my desk for ten minutes after sending Part 1, just thinking. Thinking. Should I, shouldn't I.
"What I Did"
By now it should be obvious I didn't do it. If I did, this thing would start off "HELL YEAH!" etc, etc, as in the tone of this past weeks Bip Reports. So no, the beatdown did not take place. But before I say what did happen, let me explain my point of view, prior to tonight.
"POV"
When the first thought of this beatdown was formed, I was just choke pissed. I was ready to beat him physically. Then, I sort of cooled down a bit, as the days went by and with Fang's letter. So likewise, the beatdown got lowered to hazing status. Then, I started to take some kind of moralistic approach, like I was some kind of Crusader. I think, psychologically, I was justifying my actions that I knew were extremely dick. Eventually, I began believing what I thought. Yes, I am a Crusader, fighting for the greater good. My goal became to punish Fang, with the hope that this would set him straight. And it is with this mindset, the intention of setting him straight, that I came into tonight.
"Tonight"
So after much soul searching, I just decided. "Fang, could I talk to you?" And we talked. And we talked. And we talked. I told him what was bothering me. He told me what was bothering him. We went back and forth in this fashion, with me being more on the accusatory role. And somewhere along the line, something happened. I told Fang why he shouldn't be a follower. I told him why he should do what he feels, not what others do. I found the background information about his life that led him to be this sort of person. And I tried to tell him what he could do to stop.
It was an epiphany of sorts. No one had ever stopped to tell Fang any of this before. It was like he was hearing things for the first time. I could see in him that he was truly sorry for what he did. I could see a sincere desire in him to change. So I pushed it. I told him to change his ways. And then I did something that I would never have thought I would do. I offered him my help, and my friendship. I've become some sort of lighthouse to lead Fang to the shore, or something like that. I've sort of taken it upon myself to help him become the person he wants to be.
"The Talk"
The whole situation was sort of odd. I was talking like some kind of old man. I took on some kind of old Hawaiian guy sitting on the porch accent. It was a strange combo of accents actually, that somehow I felt conveyed my message better. I never been to camp, but I imagine it was very similar to peer process. Something like that.
"Wha I've Learned"
So what have I learned from this whole situation? Well, for one thing, Fang told me that this is like a turning point in his life. He told me that he will always remember me as the friend that turned his life around. I didn't know what to say. I was pretty much shocked. I sincerely hope Fang does rehabilitate. And if so, then this has taught me two great lessons.
1) I learned that talking is actually an excellent way to solve problems. If I just carried out the plan, and beat the crap out of Fang, then nothing would have been gained, and my goal or reform would likely not have happened. But Nolan, you're right with that Martin Luther King stuff. The only way to change is not through a beatdown, but through sincere care and concern.
2) I have a new and improved outlook on human nature in general. Here is this terrible person, yet somehow, with guidance, understanding, and compassion, he is now willing to change. And at the beggining of the day, I was ready to kill Fang, and now, I'm ready to help him. It's like Rocky says in Rocky IV. "If you can change, and I can change. Maybe we all can change!" I have this whole new outlook on people in general. No one is truly lost. Everyone can be helped, and the way to do it is through compassion and understanding.
"A Little Deep"
I'm kind of going deeper than ever before in a Bip Report. Then again, this is no ordinary Bip Report. It's an eye opener for me. Take what you like from this whole episode. I know I have.
Until next time, diamonds are forever, and so is the human spirit.
BIP