R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Society for Ethics in Nigeria
R- E- S- P- E- C- T. Aretha Franklin reminded us how it's spelled, but
a lot of us need coaching on how to show it. In both personal and
political relationships, the failure to treat one another with respect
is generating incivility, contempt, and violence.
There's an important distinction between respecting a person in the
sense that we admire and hold that person in high esteem and treating
others with respect. While respecting others is desirable,
respectfulness is morally mandatory. Thus, people of character treat
everyone with respect, even those who are not personally worthy of it.
The way we behave toward others is an expression of our values and
character. Thus, we should treat others with respect, not because they
have a right to be respected but because we have a moral duty to do
unto others the way we want them to do unto us. Again, it's not
because they deserve it; it's because doing less would diminish our
own character.
That's the message in an old story about the politician who caught
himself being drawn into mud slinging and name calling. Once he
realized he was lowering himself to his opponent's level, he stopped
and said, "Sir, I will treat you as a gentleman -- not because you are
one, but because I am one."
It can take a lot of self control to be respectful to people who are
nasty, dishonorable, or disrespectful to us. Still, our inner sense of
integrity should help us resist temptations to fight fire with fire.
As Lily Tomlin said, "The problem with the rat race is, even if you
win, you're still a rat."
(culled from Joeshson Institute)
Kindly forward this to your friends. Who knows, it may get to the
politicians in our midst and teach them something about respect and
civility. It will go a long way in reducing the heat on the polity
usually generated by their unguarded utterances during political and
national discourses.
Regards
Whiskey, Isaac
Nat. Coordinator