May We Have Enough Self-Respect to Respect Others
Yesterday, I wrote about speaking up for a cause. But there’s one thing that I really want to emphasize. Be respectful. Do NOT use it as an excuse to attack and shame those who you consider to be in the wrong. I know that lots of people do it, and it’s hard to avoid disrespectful people if you participate in a large-scale protest. But ultimately, it’s counterproductive to your cause. Make it your personal commitment to maintain respect, even if those around you aren’t. Remember how easily mob mentality can affect those with good intentions. Remain vigilant of your words.
3 Reasons to Show Respect During a Discussion
- Because you want to be taken seriously. We are supposed to be trying to get them to listen and change their minds about the issue. Would you listen carefully to someone that personally attacked your intelligence? No, and that’s true for everyone. Even the most well-thought-out argument would fall flat the second an insult is uttered.
- Because trash talking is just your ego talking. We would only be engaging in a superiority contest where everybody insists that they are the better person, but no one comes out at the top. It takes the focus away from the real issue at hand. If your goal for speaking up is to bring more attention to a problem and find a solution, then check your ego at the door.
- Because name-calling feeds your toxic codependency. Do you really want to become dependent on someone else, someone you deem to be less than you, to give you an ego boost? Don’t you respect yourself enough to not need that? Show yourself some respect by showing respect to others. When you insult others, you announce to the world that you have no respect for yourself.
The aim of speaking up is to start an earnest dialogue. It’s not to win an argument. If someone responds back, keep your mind open enough to hear their reasoning behind their opinion. Try to see everyone as a fellow human being, searching for the most effective solution to our shared problem. They have the right to share their ideas, and you have an equal right to share yours. You are no less and no more than anyone else.