The Prevalence Of Disrespect In Modern American Society
Can society function without respect? The question implies that 'society' is a 'respectful' place, but whether it can exist without respect or not also implies that to be respectful is better than not. The term “respect” is very ambiguous. It comes from the Latin word “specere,” which means to “look back at” or “regard.” The prefix re- means “back” or “again.” What respect means for society is to look back at one’s feelings, or their opinion while maintaining a polite manner. Respect means to regard one’s religious beliefs, opinions, and traditions.
Respect means to admire and to listen. How can one man wonder whether or not the American society can function without respect, when they never fully obtained it in the first place? It is sad to say that our society is able to function without respect because disrespect has played a major factor in our American society today, since man’s first sin, and throughout social media. There is nothing you could do as an American that is more arrogant and imbecile than disrespecting our blood-paid flag and the ones who fought for it. More than 1.1 million men died to keep us and our loved ones safe. They died to keep establishing freedom and justice, and to allow us, freely and openly, to keep our values close to our hearts without getting punished by law. Kneeling to our flag and during the National Anthem to protest against “racial inequality” and “police brutality” is certainly not the way to bring these social wrongs to justice. Kneeling during the song that honors the bravest men and women, who gave their lives to this country so that we can continue to live freely and be successful, is highly disrespectful and completely selfish. Disrespect inside the American society comes from selfishness, racism, violence, pride, ego, a celebration of vanity, jealousy; shall the list be continued? Social class as well as success also plays a major role in influencing disrespect in all different types of people and ethnicities.
Man’s first sin consists of two factors: two married people and temptation. Adam and Eve; the two individuals who are known for breaking God’s rule from eating the fruit which grew from the tree of good and evil. The serpent; the snake who deceived them into thinking it was okay to eat the fruit the tree had bared. Ever since that first bite, mankind’s good has split into both good and evil: joy turning to hate, humbleness to pride, kindness to selfishness. As well as during Jesus’ time, they would ridicule Him, say blasphemous terms, completely dishonor Him as being the Son of God, and may you be reminded that “respect” means to honor, admire, and to recognize. All He did was heal people and treat others with the utmost kindness. Not even much long ago, when slavery was a huge issue, and how men would treat women with such inferiority. They did not accept their opinions, nor did they uphold their wishes, rights, traditions, opinions. Sadly, this continues on in some communities, families, homes, and individuals today.
Another factor that holds disrespect is social media. These social-fanatic crazes exploded ever since technology-enhanced. Throughout these platforms, there is no better way than to voice your constitutional right to publish your opinions. But, there is a difference between voicing your opinion while regarding others with respect, than voicing your opinion in an insulting and scornful way. Some television shows and multiple songs have very disrespectful terms towards races, ethnicities, and religions. Lyrics from the song called “Denial” by Beyonce, explicitly says, “Plugged my menses with the pages from the holy book,” and in the music video, it shows the Holy Bible floating underwater as these words are being spoken. As well, some music videos, songs, shows, movies, and video games promote a fair portion of violence and racism, as to where respect means to avoid harm and interference, yet, be able to recognize someone’s aspect.
Can society function without respect? The answer is simply, “yes.” Though one person will carry respect, honor, and good morals in themselves, while as the other will not. Nobody is perfect, but everybody can try and come together to fix these differences. Until then, disrespect will keep playing a major role in our American society today, throughout social media, and always date back to man’s first sin.
