OBS POST #44: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Mutual respect is not just the cornerstone of meaningful human interaction—it is the foundation of civil society itself.

The Lost Art of Respect in Modern Society

“Well, isn't that special?" and "could it be... SATAN?” SNL Church Lady

And this episode is more than appropriate, I will leave it at that for you to see for yourself.

Dear Friends & Associated Beings,

I am starting off this piece with a quote from the inimitable Saturday Night Live Church Lady because the church lady would not put up with foolishness, especially the foolishness we find ourselves encumbered with in the current political scene. In her own, ummm charitable way she personified a kind of tolerant kindness and a peculiar respect for the stupidity she was dealing with. This is meaningful today as we are embraced by a political climate that knows no bounds, there is no mercy, there is no tolerance and not even a modicum of respect. Instead, we are beset with a ruthlessness and hate. Where is the sportsmanship that is important to any game? And most noteworthy the subject of this week’s article – Where is the respect?

Respect, what is it?

Look, in our increasingly fractured world, the concept of respect has not just faded away – it is in danger of extinction. Let’s look at the word respect. It derives from the Latin "respectus," meaning "to look back at" or "regard carefully." This is the heart of true respect – regarding someone with care. Can you imagine that? This is a quality our society desperately needs to reclaim during these troubled times.

Somehow, we have gotten off the love boat and found ourselves marooned on a pirate ship with no love for anyone. Every time we turn around, someone is mouthing off to someone else. It feels like humanity is stuck in divorce court and Judge Judy has lost control of the narrative. We see grifters at every turn, and folks all seem to be in it for themselves. That is the apparency, my friends. But the truth is there are many good people out there living with this abounding tension - tension that is transmitting itself at hyper speed, leaving us constantly ducking to get out of its way.

Bridging the divides

Somehow, we must bridge these divides. Humanity will not only reek with shame but is at risk. This isn't an exaggeration – it is the stark reality we currently face. There is something like eight billion people on this planet, and though the troublemakers are few, their impact is devastating. These bad actors seem to have the biggest megaphones and the loudest voices. Frankly, I am sick of the bullshit and am asking you my friends; to show a little respect for one another and stop trying to cut folks off at the knees (a quaint American expression meaning to squelch or humiliate someone suddenly and thoroughly). Furthermore, it is important to understand how we arrived at this point. And it is equally essential to understand how the concept of respect has evolved and what the price for losing respect amounts to. It all begins with respect - and understanding its evolution through history.

The magical looking glass

Ancient times

Imagine if you will, that we have a magical looking glass that takes us back through history. We can see an evolution of sorts taking place concerning the perception of respect. It has evolved from a simple deference to authority into a broader recognition of human dignity and worth.

Throughout history, respect has worn many faces. In ancient Egypt, respect was strictly tiered – flowing from commoners up to pharaohs who were perceived as living gods. Moving over to ancient Greece, we see the first glimmers of mutual respect appearing in their democratic experiments, though still limited only to free male citizens.

Our magical looking glass moves forward to medieval times. Here respect became entangled with rigid social hierarchies – peasants bowing to lords, lords bowing to kings, kings to the gods. The Renaissance began shifting this perspective, introducing the radical idea that individual human beings, regardless of their social status, deserved basic respect due to their ability for reason and creativity.

Age of change

The Enlightenment era really shook things up. Philosophers like Kant argued that respect was a fundamental moral duty - not because of their social position, but simply because they were human beings capable of rational thought. This revolutionary idea helped fuel movements for human rights, democracy, and eventually challenging systems of slavery and oppression.

The 20th century brought new dimensions to respect - civil rights movements demanded respect across racial lines, women's movements insisted on respect regardless of gender, and labor movements fought for respect for workers. Each of these movements expanded our understanding of who deserves respect and why.

Women's journey

Watch as our looking glass dives in even further revealing an especially troubling view when we examine respect for women throughout history. Ancient societies, despite some having powerful queens and goddesses, largely treated women as property rather than people deserving respect. Even "advanced" civilizations like Greece, while philosophizing about democracy and human dignity, excluded women from public life entirely. The medieval period saw women as either saints or sinners. It wasn't until the 19th and 20th centuries that women began demanding – and slowly receiving – basic respect as full human beings rather than appendages of men. The right to own property, to vote, to have a career, to control their own lives – these weren't gifts given freely but hard-won battles for basic respect. Even today, in many parts of the world, women still struggle for the most basic forms of respect and dignity. And even in supposedly "advanced" societies, women still fight for equal respect in boardrooms, political offices, and daily life. Respect for all beings, no matter their gender, race, religion or nationality, is vital to a cohesive, creative society.

Today's view

If we were to shift that looking glass to see the current events unfolding as well as the future, we would find a totally different landscape. Today, we face extraordinary challenges in the practice of respect, particularly in our political landscape. Social media and polarized news sources haven't just created echo chambers - they've built impenetrable fortresses where disdain for opposing viewpoints flourishes and grows unchecked. We have seen the transformation of political disagreements into personal attacks, with citizens viewing their ideological opponents not as fellow humans with different perspectives, but as enemies to be defeated. What happened to teamwork? Truly, it is time for Team Earth to come to power – a team forging ahead handling the dangerous forces of pollution, war, etc.

The erosion and rebuilding of respect

This erosion of respect carries devastating costs that ripple through every aspect of our society. Civil discourse doesn't just suffer - it dies when we cannot acknowledge humanity in those who disagree with us. Complex social problems become impossible to solve when we refuse to engage in good-faith discussions with those holding different views. Communities fragment when respect gives way to contempt.

However, rebuilding a culture of respect isn't just possible or essential - it's urgent. Our future depends on it. It begins with active listening – truly hearing others' perspectives without mentally preparing our counterattacks or dismissing their experiences. It requires humility to acknowledge that none of us holds a monopoly on truth. Most importantly, it demands recognizing our shared humanity beneath the surface of political beliefs and personal differences - we are all seeking safety, dignity, and understanding.

The cusp of the communication era

We currently live on the cusp of the communication era. Communication is not just a spouting of words or ideas, but an era of real communication. An era where we can rapidly and successfully communicate ideas and ideals. Thus, this digital age we find ourselves immersed in is more than just information or disinformation, it is honest communication, and it is two-way or even multi-way. Communication that can neither be bought nor sold but only interchanged. As we enter this era, we will find it very different from the one we left behind that just barraged us with meaningless tripe. Crossing over to this new era will be a challenge and an incredible opportunity.

There are communication systems that are being developed using AI to filter out disinformation or misinformation. While current social media can amplify division and hatred with frightening speed, these same platforms, when correctly used, hold unprecedented potential for building understanding and could become bridges for meaningful dialogue across traditional barriers. The key lies in each of us choosing to use these tools for understanding rather than attack, for connection rather than division, for building bridges rather than walls.

Respect is more than tolerance

As we navigate today's political climate, respect must be more than mere tolerance and must be mutual. Respect requires genuine effort to understand different viewpoints, fact-check our assumptions, and engage in constructive dialogue. Only through rebuilding mutual respect can we hope to address the complex challenges facing our society.

Mutual respect is not just the cornerstone of meaningful human interaction - it is the foundation of civil society itself. Unlike basic respect, which can flow in only one direction, mutual respect creates a reciprocal relationship where both parties acknowledge and honor each other's dignity, viewpoints, and experiences. This dynamic becomes particularly powerful in resolving conflicts and building lasting relationships, as it sets up an unshakeable foundation of trust and understanding. When people feel mutually respected, they naturally engage in open dialogue, consider alternative perspectives, and work together toward common goals, even amid fierce disagreement. This creates a positive cycle where respect breeds more respect, strengthens our communities, and fosters the constructive public discourse we so desperately need today – a cycle that begins with each of us.

Closing time again

In closing, perhaps we should think of respect like a hug - not quite as intimate, but just as essential to our shared humanity. We all need more hugs (and remember those hugs should be at least 30 seconds to get those endorphins moving.

Here is the great Aretha Franklin singing you guessed it R-E-S-P-E-C-T