Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Of honors and respect

Here goes an issue of respect.

What is respect? It is the opposite of disrespect. What is rudeness? Is it the same as disrespect? Rudeness can be with or without reason. Rudeness intersects with disrespect in that a person is not given respect.

When you have a diploma and hold a big seat not fit for you, you think you are the best in that place. When somebody comes who seems to know better than you, you think that person is rude.

I shall also demand my respect based on my qualifications, titles, honors due me if I am disrespected by somebody with a diploma.

I say this in such seemingly "rudeness" but it is in truth that if I have a degree and somebody has a diploma and I am treated less than a human being or like a child, I shall demand my respect.

I have been called bwana before. I earned the respect for the job I did even in my youth. It is demeaning to be treated like a houseboy even by a person with a diploma.

What is humanity? What is honorable? To disrespect everybody who comes into your office just because it is your office? I shall not like that but remind him of all the dishonours he has, and the honors he does not have.

Look at the English, the servant always calls a child of their master by the title Mr or Miss however young the child can be. The child is taught to call any grown up, Sir or Madame. Whoever receives such respect, would respond back with humility and respect to whoever is addressing him whoever young or unhonorable.

Cordiality and friendship are maintained. Malawians should re-learn such manners. Who comes into your office is a stranger. Give them respect. For they might be indeed more honourable than you. However small, however their look. Whatever their title.

There are such as who when respected take it on themselves to tease. These deserve a beating. For they have disrespected their honour by doing an unhonorable act against another human being. There are some who demand everybody to kiss their feet even from those with greater honor. To such, it should not come surprise them anymore if somebody younger and simpler does not give them their respect. It is a good beating for them meet somebody small but with greater honor.

You should not expect more no matter how big or respected you are if you do something disrespectful for you will indeed be disrespected by a little nobody. If you are humble, you would accept a rebuke or check you dishonour so that you maintain your respect.

If you are big and disrespectful, a stick called truth will beat you harshly. If it comes from a child it will hurt more. Better check you mistakes. Give respect and honors where due and be humble. That is also salvation for yourselves.

The House of Justice disrespects itself if it does not give justice to those who seek it. The House itself is honorable but the people in it are not.

The president also deserves His respect so do the Inspector General so do the Lecturers and so do I.

The police need to be reformed.