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Respect, according to the Webster
Dictionary, is simply showing high regards for someone or
something. There is nothing wrong with showing respect as long as
it is moderate and reasonable. I do not believe in showing too much
respect to the extent that you physically and mentality subject
yourself to the level of an underclass. I am a strong believer that
action speaks louder than words. I also believe that the way a
people show respect to their government and elders is a
psychological yardstick by which we can measure exploitability,
independence, and progressiveness of that people.
In the west such as the USA, there is
still high respect for government, law, and bosses, but it has
dwindled when it comes to parents and teachers. This is because of
poor parental skills in the west due to both parents working very
long hours to meet up with the standard of living of the society.
Showing respect in the west is verbal and it is related to resource
control. They may stand and say “sir” or “ma” when addressing the
government, who they have genuinely elected to manage their
resources and make their laws. They may also do the same to their
bosses who control their salaries and promotions, and to the police,
who enforces their laws. In Nigeria, a child is trained to show
extreme respect to everyone perceived to be older than him even if
he is the one owed money, apology, or explanation – they call it
tradition. Some cultures do not care about the value of your
clothes or status, you are meant to lie down or completely put both
knees on the ground to show respect. Some elder, who basically have
no justification in accounting for their existence, are always very
pleased to remind you that your belly or knees either did not touch
the ground completely or did not stay on the ground long enough.
That is all they now live for – your respect.
In the USA, the law is equal for all
(Blacks are still catching on). The law and its benefits are open
for all to benefit from, if you are aware of it and know how to
utilize it. Even in the courts and in public, you have freedom of
speech and you can question or challenge anybody non-violently. In
many Nigerian societies, the younger ones are made to kneel before
the older even when he is the one making the compliant and he is in
the right. So psychologically, he is speaking or making his case
from a defeated or apologetic position. This culture simply means
that you should be quiet or turn the cheek when your superior is
even in the wrong. Nigerians are known to have made statements like
you do not beat the older for the younger, okro plant can never be
taller than the owner, or obey before complaint. If you don’t beat
the older ones, how will the older ones learn that they did the
wrong thing? About obeying, don’t you think issues must be resolved
before carrying out certain orders? A farmer may own the okro, but
God owns humans beings.
Cultures that are verbal and
non-demeaning in showing respect tend to be more independent and
progressive in their ways and culture than others. Respect is based
on productivity and contribution rather than age. In this format,
people are encouraged to the ambitious, competitive, and creative in
their education, work, business, leadership, government, and
anything they do. It is mandatory because their position is
expected to be challenged and questioned to either make them more
productive or give up the position for someone who is more
reliable. In some Nigerian cities, the oldest man is the senior and
is entitled to all the respect that is available. It does not
matter if he is an illiterate, unproductive, or did not even raise
his children. His word is final even if it makes no sense. You
better not oppose his nonsense because even a grown accomplished
woman (wife or sister) will be made to kneel and say sorry for his
madness – what a great tradition.
This is the foundation of Nigeria’s problems as
citizens. From the day we are born to the day we die, we are taught
to respect, even if we have no food, money, education, or are born
sick and will not even leave long. In some Nigerian homes, you must
allow the elder to dictate how you utilize your salary, when you are
allowed to go get an apartment and live on your own, and if you are
allowed to drive after buying a car or you will be made to kneel
down for the ultimate crime of disobedience in an attempt to
prosper. This is why Nigeria is the way it is to this day. No one
can stand up to speak, tell the truth, and defend what is right and
keep it stable. This is because the value of respect in our society
is so high that it comes before truth, progress, happiness, honesty,
and harmony. Respect without purpose is dead. Nigerians have no
independence of thought and action. We take permission and want
people’s blessing for everything. This is why we are exploited
without conditions or explanations, and a people that are exploited
and are dependent can never prosper. Let us practice to respect
without being psychologically degraded or compromised.
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The Political & Spiritual Purpose of the
Holy Land
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