“There are two sides to every story.” It’s a quote you hear often, usually when the person you’re telling your story to has a different opinion than you do.
In less complicated terms, “there are two sides to every story” is generally declared when one person is bitching about something and the other person thinks he’s an idiot and just wants him to shut up. Whenever I give someone that line, there’s usually an internal dialogue that follows. Often like this:
“My boss is so rude to me.”
“Well, there are two sides to every story.” (And by that I mean, try showing up for work on time, not calling in sick twice a week and stop sleeping with his wife.)
But sometimes, there’s only one side to a story. And when that happens, it seems our internal dialogue gushes out, usually anonymously online, but proudly displayed for the whole world to see. I’m talking specifically about the Britt McHenry drama that’s played out online over the last week. McHenry, a sports reporter for ESPN, was caught on video insulting an employee at an Arlington, Virginia towing company.
The way the edited tape was released, it appears McHenry said to the employee, among other things: “I’m on television and you’re in a f***ing trailer, honey.” “Why, because I have a brain and you don’t?” And, “Lose some weight, baby girl.”
My initial reaction, along with the majority of commenters online, was that McHenry is an entitled “mean girl” and should be fired. But then, I couldn’t help but think, “what’s the other side of the story?” So I tried to find it, and couldn’t. The tape, leaked by the towing company, was heavily edited and only showed McHenry’s comments and reactions, making it appear to be a one-way verbal tirade.
While no one deserves to be spoken to rudely, is it possible McHenry was defending herself? Was she provoked by an abusive employee, whose sound bites were omitted from the tape?
It’s easy to admonish McHenry and suggest she should have known better. Anyone with a cell phone can record a moment of frustration and make your life miserable. And when you’re a semi-famous TV personality, you know that. But what I find more disturbing than McHenry’s verbal assault is how quickly the rest of us were to judge, without knowing the other side of the story. Because it was never released. Which suggests to me, the tow company is hiding something. You don’t edit a tape and release only your side of the story if you’ve done nothing wrong.
While it’s fair to say few people probably get their car towed and then get on Yelp to review it as a positive experience, a little research into the company in question — Advanced Towing Company — shows a number of negative reviews, specifically regarding rude employees and predatory towing practices. One man claims he was legally parked and his car was being towed with his two kids still inside of it.
An investigation by a D.C.-area television station claims that Advanced Towing Company has almost twice the number of complaints as other area towing companies combined. The company has also received an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Does any of this excuse McHenry’s behavior? No. But I imagine if we were to see the entire, unedited tape, many of us might say to ourselves, “If I’d been treated like that, I may have reacted that way too.” Or at the very least, “Well, they were both immature and rude.”
It’s possible McHenry feels entitled and has the world’s largest ego and self-destructive streak. It’s also possible she assumed, if the video was released, it would show both sides of the argument; one she clearly felt justified participating in.
It’s probably safe to say there are three sides to this story: McHenry’s, the company’s and the truth.
Amy Roberts is a longtime Park City resident, freelance writer and the proud owner of two ill-behaved rescue dogs, Boston and Stanley.