Aretha Franklin sang her signature hit R E S P E C T in 1967 as a declaration from a strong, confident woman, who demands the"respect" of her man.
Now 40 years later Aretha's cry for R E S P E C T has been hijacked and ratcheted up with evening news shows reporting/exploiting headlines of sexual harassment (and worse), bullying, systematic white supremacy, white privilege, racism, reverse racism, envy, greed, hatred, and melting fragile snow-flakes claiming 'micro-aggression' by the man. Whoever the man is. Don't get me wrong, injustice is a serious matter, but truth often is lost in our GUILTY before proven INNOCENT society.
The above mentioned microagressions are front and center in our new victim society. Microaggressions are defined as the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.
By this 'standard' I have been microaggressed as a white male with a rural Wisconsin upbringing lacking economic opportunities or exposure to a racially diverse culture. As I get older and I am now microaggressed for wearing bi-focals, and hearing aides by my younger better seeing, hearing, and looking co-workers.
Truth is I am NOT microaggressed, and I believe it is all hogwash. Life is good but has never been a level playing field. So let's all determine to.. BUCK UP BUTTERCUP!
Now 40 years later Aretha's cry for R E S P E C T has been hijacked and ratcheted up with evening news shows reporting/exploiting headlines of sexual harassment (and worse), bullying, systematic white supremacy, white privilege, racism, reverse racism, envy, greed, hatred, and melting fragile snow-flakes claiming 'micro-aggression' by the man. Whoever the man is. Don't get me wrong, injustice is a serious matter, but truth often is lost in our GUILTY before proven INNOCENT society.
The above mentioned microagressions are front and center in our new victim society. Microaggressions are defined as the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.
By this 'standard' I have been microaggressed as a white male with a rural Wisconsin upbringing lacking economic opportunities or exposure to a racially diverse culture. As I get older and I am now microaggressed for wearing bi-focals, and hearing aides by my younger better seeing, hearing, and looking co-workers.
Truth is I am NOT microaggressed, and I believe it is all hogwash. Life is good but has never been a level playing field. So let's all determine to.. BUCK UP BUTTERCUP!
But back to Aretha's call for RESPECT.. Why do we make RESPECT so complicated? In Matthew 22:36-40 Jesus taught us the two greatest commandments“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ .. and.. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
If I truly love my neighbor my words and deeds will demonstrate respect, and a nice byproduct is it's difficult to feel micro-aggressed if my focus is on God and others.. leaving little time for my hurt feelings.
If I truly love my neighbor my words and deeds will demonstrate respect, and a nice byproduct is it's difficult to feel micro-aggressed if my focus is on God and others.. leaving little time for my hurt feelings.
So I pray today God blesses and uses His people to be the loving hands and feet to those who are in need as Jesus has commanded. (note these are God's commandments, not suggestions) May our hearts, words, and actions always be compassionate to this hurting world.
Jeff (micro-regressed?) Larson
p.s. On a lighter note, I would like to share a clip regarding Injustice inherent in the system at the time of King Arthur. Repression Inherent in the System. <-- click here for a chuckle
Jeff (micro-regressed?) Larson
p.s. On a lighter note, I would like to share a clip regarding Injustice inherent in the system at the time of King Arthur. Repression Inherent in the System. <-- click here for a chuckle
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