Here is the quote from Matt Barnes:
“U know any domestic violence situation 9 outa 10 times the man gets arrested. That’s the case here I was the victim but still got arrested. No matter what I say people are gonna think what they want…”
Watch the video here:
At what point is it ok for a man to defend himself physically against a woman?
My rule has always been if your life or the life of someone else is in danger you have to defend yourself. If the woman has a weapon (and I am not talking about a stiletto unless it is metal tip) you have to do something, you can’t let yourself just get stabbed.
If the woman weighs 300 pounds, you weigh 150 and she is punching you in the jaw, you have to defend yourself.
But if you are a 6’7″ guard in the NBA or any man who knows that your woman can not do any real physical harm to you when she is slapping and throwing stuff at you, I have a piece of advice:
WALK AWAY
I agree with Barnes that in a lot of situations when there is “mutual violence” the man will get arrested, but that doesn’t mean the man is right in putting his hands on the woman.
If she intiated the violence I understand how Barnes could feel like a “victim” and there are many men who feel like as soon as anyone lay their hands on them (man, woman, Avatar) that are allowed to “fight back”.
That is up for debate, but just be aware in the eyes of the law if she throws a punch and the man throws a punch in return, it will be your mugshot in the papers not hers the majority of the time. It might not be fair, but as we should know by now the law isn’t always fair (FREE PLAX!!!!!).
Violence against a woman or man should be avoided at all costs. When Barnes saw the situation getting out of control he should have left the residence and that would have been the end of it.
By getting agressive and ripping the phone off the wall, he gave the police all the probable cause they needed to arrest him.
So while he is claiming he is a victim I have three words for him.
SMARTEN UP NAS