Tuesday, March 15, 2022

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Respect is something our world will never have too much of and is something it could really use a lot more of at this time to get through our current crises

By Eric Nederlof, Representative

Recently, people around the world celebrated International Women’s Day, held on March 8. One goal of the day is to increase the respect shown to women and celebrate their achievements in our society.

“Respect,” Aretha Franklin’s signature song and anthem for female empowerment, embodies such thought. However, that song was originally written and performed by Otis Redding, telling the story of a man seeking respect he felt was owed him. Respect is an attribute highly valued by people of both sexes.

One line in the song goes, “All I’m askin’ for is a little respect.” But is this respect being asked for something owed and objective or something that is subjective and has to be earned?

My answer is yes to both questions. This may seem like a paradox but let me explain.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 19th century American philosopher and writer said, “Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.”

The first point of Supplement A of CLAC’s constitution says, “People bear the image of their creator and, as such, must be treated with dignity, respect, and love.”

These quotes succinctly summarize the view that there is a certain objective form of respect that is inherent to all people. Everyone, on the basis of their humanity, is owed a base level of respect to be treated fairly, without undue bias or discrimination.

Further, our roles in society (e.g., parent, judge, boss) also come with an expectation of a certain objective level of deferential respect owing to the position. But this respect should not be blind.

The subjective level of respect we give someone requires measured evaluation on our part. For example, you should respect your boss because they are “the boss,” and then add the proper, measured level of admirational respect you give them based on how well they carry out their role as your boss.

Albert Einstein said, “Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.”

The Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho, summarizes the view of a subjective level of respect that is earned saying, “Respect is for those who deserve it, not for those who demand it.”

Both views and iterations of objective and subjective respect need to be held in tension. Respect, like many attributes, operates on a spectrum and is applied in different amounts to different facets of a person’s character, abilities, and roles.

You can earn a subjective level of respect through your exemplary ability in a role above the base, objective level of respect inherent to the position, or not earn it if you perform poorly. Further, you can earn respect in one role but lose it in another.

In other words, beyond a base level of respect owed to you by virtue of your position, you can raise or lower the level of respect paid to you based on your actions in carrying out your role(s). Generally speaking, the better you meet expectations in your role, the more subjective respect you will earn.

So how can you earn admirational respect in your roles? A good place to start is to treat others as you wish to be treated, speak to people the way you want to be spoken to, and, more importantly, actually listen to people the way you want to be listened to.

Do your best in everything you do. Be honest, diligent, and humble. Always think and feel positively about others. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Assume good will and good intentions—until they give you reason to think otherwise, and, even when they do, confront their actions in the most respectful, kind, and humble manner possible.

Mutual respect breeds more respect. Respect is something our world will never have too much of and is something it could really use a lot more of at this time to get through our current crises.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T—find out what it means to you!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

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