I learned something about respect the other day.
I respect many people, and they've all earned it through self-sacrifice. Some of them, I would die for. I think that's a good feeling, knowing that you would follow someone anywhere, and whatever they told you to do, it would be the right thing to do. That kind of trust is hard to earn, at least with me. I have a hard time trusting people.
When someone makes a disparaging remark about someone you respect, it undermines that trust and inspires suspicion and rebellion in you. Worse still, if the person who made that remark is also someone you respect, it's a lose-lose situation. Either the person who said it loses your respect because he doesn't know what he's talking about, or he DOES know what he's talking about, and you lose respect for the other.
How do you respond? Defend the victim but lose a little respect for both? Better had it not been said. This is especially damaging to families where one parent talks badly about the other to their children. Parents, avoid telling your children things that would undermine their trust of the other parent, even if they're true.
The lesson I learned is this: give respect to whom it is due, and avoid talking badly about others, especially to those who rightly respect them. If you have a problem with someone in authority, bring it directly to them or say nothing at all, unless a warning to others is warranted. You be the example. If you don't respect your leaders, people will follow your example and disrespect you in return. This is especially important for me as a Teaching Assistant.
