“Hey, Bro. Wass up?”
I am often approached this way by students. Obviously they don’t have much home training. I try to explain I am not their “bro.” I put my hands level and explain that “bro” means we are equal, on the same level. I make it clear that the thought fills me with horror. I then put one hand by my knee and say, “This is you.” I put the other hand above my head and say, “This is me. I am not your ‘bro’.” We both laugh and get on with life but they get the point. They don’t agree, but they get the point.
When I meet one of my siblings, they say the same thing. From them it is a mark of affirmation and love. Same words. Same inflections. One is an insult’ the other, an affirmation.
One of the destructive forces in our modern culture is a lack of respect for people and things that deserve respect and assumed respect for the undeserving. Modern parents planted this foolishness. Modern education waters this foolishness. Modern entertainment fertilizes this foolishness. We will all reap the harvest.
homo unius libri
People who have no respect for others will never fully respect themselves, since they won't know what it takes to deserve it. Unfortunately, that won't keep them from being vain and demanding.
ReplyDeleteAnd when they are in charge they do great harm.
DeleteGrace and peace.