- You hear that people should take the conversation about flowers and bees with their children.

But not about violence.

Even though it is something that most people will be exposed to or expose someone to, says Musse Hasselvall.

Mickey Mouse Hasselvall and Robert Svensson got to know each other in high school through their common interest in martial arts.

Since then, they have been talking about violence.

The book has become a way to reflect on the violence that has followed them through life.

One thing they have seen is that society constantly rewards violent capital.

By the strong being heard, made visible and listened to.

In large and small contexts.

Often just by raising your voice or standing up.

- There is something about the violence that means that you can always be heard, says Robert Svensson

But is it reasonable for society to reward violent capital in that way?

- To the extent that something can be done about it, we must accept that it is so, it is difficult to deal with something that you do not pretend about, says Robert Svensson.

- No, of course it is not, says Mickey Hasselvall.

"I have subjected others to violence"

In the book, they write about the different sides of violence.

Conversations with other people are mixed with experiences from their own lives.

It is about desire and community at the martial arts club, but also about the fears and the grief that both give birth to and follow in the footsteps of violence.

During the work, they have been forced to reflect on how they themselves used their violent capital.



- The painful thing about writing this book is to see yourself as a perpetrator.

It is easy to just see yourself as a victim when you write your own story, says Robert Svensson and continues:

- We forced ourselves to go through this and then you realize: I have exposed others to violence, I have manipulated others with my ability to violence, I have pushed others with an underlying threat of violence.

At the same time as I have been a victim in many other contexts, says Robert Svensson.

Violence that creates meaning

In a part of the book, Robert Svensson writes how he was part of the riots in Kungsträdgården in Stockholm in the late 80s.

What was seen from the outside as meaningless violence and vandalism, was for those who were with anything but meaningless.

- It was extremely meaningful for everyone who was there, it was community and it was visibility.

We gathered the next day and checked the evening newspapers to see who we knew was in the picture, says Robert Svensson.

He believes that the senseless violence perpetrated in groups is meaningful for those involved.

- Which does not mean that I defend it, but it is important to understand it, says Robert Svensson.