Respect
In the tapestry of life, I never adorned myself with a tattoo. To me, a tattoo represents a covenant etched to my flesh, a permanent commitment with no easy escape. The world is filled with marks commemorating bygone boyfriends and girlfriends who have faded into memory, reminders etched in ink of love that once bloomed but since faded away. As I wander familiar streets of my childhood, I notice many tattoo parlors that emerged weaving their presence. I encounter many Gen-Zs, their skin etched with testaments of their journey and stories.
On a recent cab ride in Izmir, I found myself unable to ignore the driver. His handsomeness commanded attention, but it was the tattoo above his left eyebrow that truly captivated me. The word ‘respect’ was etched there, a permanent mark that hinted at an unseen story, a hidden complexity beneath the surface of our brief encounter.
I started to chat with the driver and inquired the story behind his tattoo “respect”. He recounted how people had treated him with cruelty and injustice, with complete lack of respect. As he was on the verge of entering military school, he chose to inscribe this word upon his skin. It was a poignant reminder of the disrespect he had endured, and a symbol of the profound importance respect held in the tapestry of his life.
While telling his story, the driver started flipping through his phone, showing off these shirtless gym photos. Apparently, he was gearing up for some bodybuilding contest when he got tapped for military duty. But, you know, that’s a whole different story and not relevant to this article.
Respect is a sacred thread that weaves through the essence of our being and our connections with others. In our discussions of love, truth, honesty, loyalty, and integrity, we often overlook this vital virtue. Yet, it is the absence of respect that breeds the deepest wounds in society. Harassment, bullying, political polarization, and wars all stem from the absence of respect.
Slavery is the ultimate disrespect to the sacred freedom and dignity that reside in every soul. Racism, manifesting as disrespect towards Black or Asian communities in the United States, shatters the beautiful mosaic of human diversity. Anti-gay movements, with their stark disrespect for sexual preference, deny the divine right to love freely. Xenophobia erodes the rich tapestry of cultural differences that enrich our world. Environmental destruction is a grave disrespect to the very earth that nurtures and sustains us. The mutual disrespect between Israelis and Palestinians towards their shared humanity and their rich cultural and historical tapestries perpetuates a tragic cycle of violence, endless conflict and war.
Respect is a dance of reciprocity. To be honored with respect, we must first offer it freely. My father, who left this world too soon, was my role model, and the embodiment of respect. His life was a tapestry woven with the threads of friendship and genuine regard from those who crossed his path. When he passed, the entire city honored him by closing their shops during his funeral. His casket was borne on the shoulders of his friends from the city center to the cemetery. As he was laid to rest, I struggled to contain my tears. My uncle gently comforted me, saying that to cry would be disrespectful. It took me many years to grasp his meaning. I realized that my tears, though sincere, could be seen as a sign of selfishness or a lack of faith in the peaceful transition of my father’s soul.
The human brain is a wondrous universe unto itself, with hundred billion neurons and over hundred trillion synaptic connections, surpassing the number of stars in our galaxy. This profound complexity highlights the unique and extraordinary nature of each individual. We need to respect people around us by recognizing and honoring this uniqueness on a deeply human level. This means valuing people’s pasts, their cultures, their races, their backgrounds, and their sexual and political preferences. It involves respecting their boundaries, choices, and decisions. Liking someone and respecting them are distinct; one can respect another without necessarily liking them. True respect transcends personal feelings, acknowledging the inherent worth of every person we encounter.
Maclaren once said, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”, we might add “Everyone you encounter is unique, with past, circumstances and experiences you may not fully grasp. Respect their individuality and differences. Be respectful. Always.” We need to be more respectful to others. The harmony of society and humanity depends on it.
In honoring the diversity of experiences and perspectives that enrich our collective story, we should preserve the true essence of respect. Let us wake up every morning, every day, to embrace this fundamental principle and sow the seeds of a more compassionate and respectful world for generations to come.
Stay Beautiful,
-Orkut
