Prey, Predator or Sheepdog - What is your violence personality?

Are you prey (a sheep), predator (a wolf) or a sheepdog? That is the question asked by LTC. Dave Goldman in his book, “On Killing”. The overall consensus was that most of us, especially women, are sheep.

Not that there is any shame in being a sheep. In fact, sheep are defined as productive, valuable members of society that only would hurt another sheep by accident. Violence, per se, has no part in their life and there is a strong tendency for the sheep to live in denial. They deny the existence of those individuals actively using violence to mercilessly prey upon the sheep to fulfill their needs.

Those that prey on the sheep are defined as wolves. They make up the two percent of our society which encompasses the criminal sociopath. Wolves are the repeat offenders who prey upon the sheep to get what they want using their fists, clubs, knives or firearms to beat, rape, rob or murder their chosen sheep. These wolves embody your nightmares and can irreparably destroy the world of a sheep in seconds.

The wolf embraces violence. He understands it and uses it without regard to others to satisfy his own needs. He has no hesitation to maim, cripple or kill if it brings him closer to his ultimate craving. The wolf’s only enemy – the sheepdog.

The sheepdogs are people who have the gift of aggression. They are able to meet violence with violence in order to protect society and themselves. They have the rare ability to use force against the wolves but would never consider using it against a sheep.

Most sheepdogs are found in the military, law enforcement and the martial arts communities. They often make the sheep uncomfortable because they remind them that the wolves are out there. Sheepdogs are often targets of ridicule from the sheep that get uncomfortable seeing their weapons, or as Grossman writes, “They have fangs like the wolf and fur like the wolf and they are constantly looking for the very opportunity to engage the wolf in battle…the very thing the sheep fear.”

Now, if you choose to be a sheep that is your choice. Just remember that you or your loved ones may be injured or die if there is no sheepdog around to handle the wolf. Know that it doesn’t have to be that way. Regular citizens every day step up to be sheepdogs when necessary such as American Airlines passengers against the terrorists on 9/11 and those you risk life and limb to thwart the muggers, rapists, and murderers who prey on our community.

So the question remains, are you prey (a sheep), predator (a wolf) or a sheepdog?

If you want to learn how you can become a sheepdog visit us at Women’s Self-Defense Institute or contact us at info@womensselfdefenseinstitute.com.

**Angie M. Tarighi is the CEO/Founder of Women's Self-Defense Institute and EasySafety4U.com providing self defense training, education awareness & personal protection products empowering women to fight back against crime.