Aretha Franklin Knew What She Was Talking About

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“All I’m asking is for a little respect when you get home. R-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to me. R-e-s-p-e-c-t, take care TCB.” The notorious, veracious lyrics of Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect” probably ring in everyone’s ears as soon as they hear the word respect. Through the power of music, Aretha Franklin recognized the importance of instilling necessary words into everyone’s head. Hopefully everyone understood the lyrics well enough so the words pop into their head at the most essential times. It’s important for everyone to be respectful to everyone, including being respectful to oneself. That means holding aplomb, being truthful, and holding a healthy sense of self-worth. In addition, respect teaches a person to stay out of trouble because they value others thoughts and considerations as highly as their own. Respect controls a person’s temper. Respect builds up a society to become a better place. It relates to a person’s values and actions. The five reasons stated are just a few of the several reasons why everyone should exhibit respect.

According to dictionary.com, respect’s denotation is an “esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability.” The origin of the word comes from the Latin word respectus, meaning “regard” or an “act of looking back at one.” Therefore, respect translates into valuing, honoring, admiring, and looking up to someone or something by taking care of and sharing kindness with one other. Respect is more than just admiring someone though: It involves trusting someone to choose ethical decisions. For example, why should someone respect a police officer? The po...

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...en when tough situations are presented to a person. Motivation from peers, educational leaders, or other members of society may help those that should learn to behave ethically, but the bottom line is following one’s inner code of ethics, which constitutes character.

Proper respect for others begins by a person respecting their self. Respect is developed by expressing honor, leadership, value, and trust in a person. If everyone respects everyone someday, the world will become a seventh heaven. It is important to be respectful for safety, to abide by the law, because children are influenced by their elders’ actions, and because God says so. Motivation from peers can help a person realize there is always room to improve the level of respect a person exhibits. Respect was, is, and always will be a positive attribute for everyone to strive for in their lives.

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