I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… all I ask is that you respect me as a human being.
Jackie Robinson, first Black National League baseball player
When you respect others you express your recognition and appreciation of their inherent value as a human being, something they are entitled to by virtue of their being a person. You may not approve of their behavior or their ideas, but that does not remove your responsibility for maintaining a degree of respect for them as human beings, and for the rights they have because they are human.
Respecting others is an especially appreciated and valuable action in today’s world because it often counters the lack of respect and even disrespect that are unfortunately quite common in the real world, as evidenced by practices like racism, sexism, and simple rudeness.
Without mutual respect, life in today’s world becomes undermined by feelings of distrust, animosity, and conflict, all of which subvert the principles of living a successful life.
Giving people the respect they inherently deserve should be a moral imperative for anyone who aspires to live a successful life.
Getting Personal
Have you ever personally been disrespected? What was the situation, and how did it make you feel? Why did you consider the action taken to you as being disrespectful?
Is there a difference between disagreeing with someone and disrespecting them. What do you believe is the main difference?
“ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” Article 1. United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
“Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?” (Confucius)
What factors go into respecting others? No surprises here:
**** Top of post image (Respect) from legacyculture.com, Sept. 18, 2020
