A pointed question can puncture a soldier’s dehumanizing frenzy

Evidence

Sami shook the sleep out of his eyes and saw the situation for what it was. He looked at his fellow soldier in disbelief. “Hey, Andrews,” he said. “Relax! These are just some old men. Let me get you on your knees on the gravel and see how long you can take it.” — Moustafa Bayoumi, How Does It Feel to Be a Problem? Being…, 239

Categorization

• STORYSTEM: The reversal device — forcing the aggressor to imagine himself in the victim’s posture — is a usable move for a scene where calm undercuts rage.