The last time I checked, respecting one another was not and will not ever be an option. Yet, for some reason, my generation is under the impression that it is. In the course of my lifetime, a mere 20 years, there is an unending amount of change and transformation that I have not only witnessed but been a part of. Technological advanced has paved the path for my generation and for many generations to come. It seems we have gotten so busy trying to keep up with the demanding pressures of society and our peers that somehow along the way we've lost the mindset and capability to respect each other and ourselves.
My grandfather is 87 years old this year. That is almost seven decades between us, a lifetime. As I have grown and seen more and have begun to truly comprehend what is going on in the world, the generational gap that separates my grandpa and me has become substantially clearer. Obviously, as time passes and society advances things change, this is inevitable. What I have become aware of that deeply saddens me is that the respect we possess has substantially declined rather than increase over the years.
It is not only the respect we have for others that has diminished, but our respect towards ourselves has degraded to a point that we should be ashamed of ourselves. Technology and social media have changed the world as we know it. An unprecedented amount of medical advancements has been made in my lifetime that without technology would not have happened. There truly is so much good that comes from the unwavering strides being made to improve and create new technology and scientific advances, but with every good there somehow follows an immense 'evil' that finds a way to interfere with the success our society and culture has made.
I wholeheartedly believe social media has become the devil's advocate for my generation's loss of respect.
It is not just towards each other that we have lost our regard. We no longer express the respect that has been earned towards our elders, our parents, our public and political leaders, our foreign allies and relations, our LGBT brothers and sisters and most importantly ourselves. Every human being to grace this mighty planet is created equal, somehow we have lost that philosophy and have become so entitled with the thought that we are so much better than each other.
I mentioned social media being a large component in the root of this evil, this lack of consideration we have. Political figures have taken to social media to bash one another, 18-year-old celebrities are having plastic surgery and altering themselves into the "ideal" figure and to having "perfect" facial features, celebrities and socialites in the spotlight have dulled themselves into inane and senseless blockheads, inappropriate and crude behavior has been catapulted to the headlines exposing young viewers to content more mature than what they should be seeing. The list of inappropriate and nonsensical actions and behaviors that have blasted their way into the social media goes on and on.
When politicians and world leaders are lacking in their public respect for their colleagues and citizens, what kind of message does that leave for the future shepherds and pioneers of the free world? When the Kardashians and Jenners and "Real Housewives" are seen flaunting waist trainers and flawless makeup 24/7, what kind of image is that setting for young girls in the process of discovering their own beauty and self-worth?
When women in the public eye don't express respect for themselves the attitude and mindset of those young admiring girls change. This has come up in social media a lot lately, but it appears that the younger generation of girl is losing that "awkward pre-teen" stage that myself and my friends most definitely went through. Society is moving at such a rapid pace that the development and physical maturity of Generation Z are occurring so rapidly it seems these adolescents are begging to lose their childhood far too soon.
If we, as a society, do not make ample strides towards increasing our self-worth, value and respect we will move towards an accelerated downward track to losing what past generations have worked so hard for. We must focus on losing this superior mindset that we are so much better than those around us and realize that we really are created equal.
If my generation does not step up and acknowledge that a change is needed to be made, we will undoubtedly fail. If we cannot recognize that although we are all made to be equal, we must still accept each other's differences and uniqueness.
Even if my political preferences do not match yours, I strive to respect your opinions. Even if my sexual orientation is different from yours, I strive to respect the love you hold for others. Even if my jean size is not the same as yours, I strive to respect your body because it is beautiful just how it is. Even if we are not the same age and you have experienced more life than I have, I strive to respect you and thank you for the effects you have made in shaping my life. Even if you are not the same religion as I am, I strive to respect and honor you for worshiping and believing exactly what you want to believe.
We are rooted in this nation. A land of the free. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom from persecution. I may be different from you, but I will respect you.
