R-E-S-P-E-C-T | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Aretha Franklin said it best.

20
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The Huffington Post

I would like to preface this article by saying that I have never been scared of anything more than the possibility of getting a ticket when I have gotten pulled over. I don't worry about my parents' safety when they go to work every day. I have never been judged because of the color of my skin. I have never had to face the difficulties that families of fallen police officers and citizens do. I don't have an answer that will fix the violence that has been going on in America. I do, however, know something that every single person can do that will make a change, even if it is just a slight one: respect everyone.

Respect can simply be defined as "showing regard or consideration for." On a small scale, I try to show respect for people by opening doors, by addressing my elders by "yes ma'am/no ma'am, yes sir/no sir," and by sending thank-you notes when I receive gifts. With the violence that has been plaguing this country, especially in the last week, I have shown respect by understanding that ALL people and victims, no matter if they are in uniform or not, are just that: people. They are husbands, wives, and children; they have hobbies, a favorite ice cream flavor, and futures they were planning and looking forward to. Are there sick, corrupt police officers out there? Yes. But labeling all police officers as such is unfair. Are there African Americans who commit crimes? Yes. But people of literally every race in existence do, too. Labeling one race as "bad" doesn't do any good, either.

Keep in mind when you're bashing anyone on social media or in public that they are people, too. And remember that your children or children around you pay more attention than you think. They don't know hatred and prejudice; it is learned. Showing everyone respect is not going to be the magic solution that immediately fixes this country, but it's a good place to start.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Syllabus Week As Told By Kourtney Kardashian

Feeling Lost During Syllabus Week? You're Not Alone!

753
Kourtney Kardashian

Winter break is over, we're all back at our respective colleges, and the first week of classes is underway. This is a little bit how that week tends to go.

The professor starts to go over something more than the syllabus

You get homework assigned on the first day of class

There are multiple group projects on the syllabus

You learn attendance is mandatory and will be taken every class

Professor starts chatting about their personal life and what inspired them to teach this class

Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

Everybody is going out because its 'syllabus week' but you're laying in bed watching Grey's Anatomy

Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

Now it's time to get back into the REAL swing of things. Second semester is really here and we all have to deal with it.

panera bread

Whether you specialized in ringing people up or preparing the food, if you worked at Panera Bread it holds a special place in your heart. Here are some signs that you worked at Panera in high school.

1. You own so many pairs of khaki pants you don’t even know what to do with them

Definitely the worst part about working at Panera was the uniform and having someone cute come in. Please don’t look at me in my hat.

Keep Reading...Show less
Drake
Hypetrak

1. Nails done hair done everything did / Oh you fancy huh

You're pretty much feeling yourself. New haircut, clothes, shoes, everything. New year, new you, right? You're ready for this semester to kick off.

Keep Reading...Show less
7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments