91国产

By Robert A. Scott, President, 91国产

Calls for 鈥渃ivility鈥� ring almost daily. Whether by a national commission, a听gathering of clergy, or a newspaper commenting on big-city police, the calls are similar.听They concern racism, 鈥渞oad rage鈥�, bullying, and other forms of in-civil behavior. I believe听these cries for civility are calls for respect.

The urgency with which certain persons and groups demand respect is striking for听several reasons. First, their demands fail to acknowledge that respect is a two-way听exchange; second, they ignore the fact that individual and group respect are not听permanent. No one can demand respect and expect the results to be honest.

It certainly is true that racism, antisemitism, and other forms of prejudice are not听only active in our society, but also deny respect to those who are the subject of听discrimination and in-civil actions. Therefore, it makes sense for those who have been听subjected to bias and incivility personally or historically to want respect. Indeed, I听assume that everyone wants respect as a simple fact of his or her humanity.

We should assert in our schools and houses of worship, and especially in our听homes, that others should be respected for their humanity even if they are different from听us. But there is a difference between respect for humanity at large; respect for ethnic,听national, religious, community, and racial groups in general; and respect for any听individual in particular.

Respect, in general, must be offered freely. An individual鈥檚 actions should no听more reflect poorly on an ethnic, national, racial, or religious group than a group鈥檚听actions should reflect poorly on all of humanity. But respect in these larger contexts听cannot mitigate the disrespectful behavior of an individual. This is the truth which some听ignore. I respect you first as a human, second as an individual.

However, individual respect can be regained through effort: by being sincere and听helping others, by showing concern, by acting as part of a group which is trying to be听positive.

Respect is lost by acting in a callous manner, by disregarding others, by听insincerity, or by belittling the place and relevance of others. When a student or a faculty听member or lay member of the public 鈥渄emands鈥� respect, and does so in a manner which听itself is disrespectful, he or she not only misses the point but also demeans the issue.

A college and university is a precious place. It is where truth in whatever form听should be pursued without hindrance. It is where freedom of speech must be protected to听the utmost. It is place where diversity 鈥� of background, ethnicity, nationality, religion 鈥撎齭hould be valued. It also is a place where civil discourse and respect for one another is听essential if a full and honest exchange of views is to be assured.

Without common courtesy, ears are closed. When ears are closed, there can be no听mutual respect. We must learn to disagree without being disagreeable. Those who shout听the loudest for respect do the least to gain it.

These are difficult times, when relations between groups are strained. Often, the听economy is blamed. I would hope that even in times like these, families, clergy, and听teachers would prepare children with the basic values of civility, courtesy, sincerity, and听respect for others. Our world needs it. Our national values 鈥� freedom of speech, freedom听of assembly, democracy itself 鈥� will die without it.

漏 Robert A. Scott, 2007.

For further information, please contact:

Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥� 516.237.8634
e 鈥� twilson@adelphi.edu