From b6f990ba6294ccde8903be3527298d570d77d146 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Gregory Hellings Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2021 23:36:41 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] New post on respect --- content/posts/respect-problem.md | 44 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 44 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/posts/respect-problem.md diff --git a/content/posts/respect-problem.md b/content/posts/respect-problem.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3079553 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/posts/respect-problem.md @@ -0,0 +1,44 @@ +--- +title: "Respect Problem" +date: 2021-03-04T23:10:58-06:00 +draft: false +--- +America has a respect problem. Well, specifically Texas has a respect problem. +People respect others too much. You see, there is too much respect going around +right now, and I won't contribute to it. + +This week Governor Abbott announced that he's going to be rescinding the mask +mandate he has had in place since last summer. Texas ranks last in distribution +of the current COVID-19 vaccines. Yes, the vaccine infections have been falling +lately, but they've fallen before only to rise again when we've reduced our +vigilence. And, since the announcement, social media has been flooded by people +saying they're going to respect others who both choose to wear and choose to not +wear a mask when phsyical distancing is not possible. And they've been calling +on others to choose to respect people for their choice of whether to wear a mask +or not as well. + +This is a problem, and it conflates what respect is. You see, respecting another +person comes in two main flavors. There is respect that is given - respect that +another person is human and has certain inalienable rights. This respect is due +to everyone, always. But there's another type of respect, and that is the type +that is earned. This is respect because you've seen that someone is particularly +talented, athletic, hard working, wise, compassionate, and so forth. This is the +type of respect that salutes someone for the choices they make and the decisions +they follow. And this is the type of respect that is being offered and coerced +from others during this transition from government mask mandates to personal +choice. + +But the problem is, if you elect not to wear a mask when physical distance and +barriers are not possible between you and other people, then you are profoundly +lacking in behavior worthy of respect. You've shown that there is something +profoundly missing in you. It might be your judgment and wisdom, it might be how +well informed you are, it might be your compassion, or it might be something +else. But, whatever it is, it is demonstrably lacking by your inability to make +the right choice and wear a mask. My respect for the choice you make must be +earned. And, if you choose to not wear the mask, then you have not earned that +respect. To paraphrase Nick Fury, "I recognize that [you have] made a decision, +but given that it's a stupid-ass decision I have elected to" disparage it. + +So no, if you choose to stop wearing a mask because the governor has lifted his +mandate, then I will not respect your choice. I won't contribute to the problem +we have with respect in America.