Respect

RESPECT… by Tim Jacobs

Defined as “to feel or show deferential regard for’ esteem 2. the state of being regarded with honor or esteem.

Respect is what’s strived for in this man’s world. Respect is why decisions are made and gut instincts are ignored. But what is respect’s true value when the source of respect truly means nothing? Who is this person who thinks I must respect them?

The oldest saying in the book is that respect is earned. It’s not given… it’s earned! That saying alone is where a lot of young men go wrong; trying to earn the respect of their peers or older and cooler guys in their neighborhood. One’s who’s respect is truly fraudulent and in all actuality, holds no validation where it truly matters in this world. But none the less, being validate – respected by one’s peers is a natural propensity for all of us. As young men in the street, living outside of society’s lines, and whose mentors are the ones with pistols, we have false perceptions of manhood. It’s you that I direct this dialog to.

After spending 11 years of my life in an environment that is dominated by the “respect” factor, I can honestly say that what’s respected by the masses is misdirected and mis-titled. The ideologies, the actions and results all bring about shame and domination.

By virtue of language and habits from the past, no realization that if the old culture they romanticize continues to persist that they are destined for doom. In prison where it seems that a paradox that couldn’t exist – exists, as one lives the life they know is frozen. Respect allows you a thousand what’s up a day and a million daps and handshakes. But change can jeopardize all that the was between what was and what is rages on.

From childhood to the courtroom, one’s identity has been cloaked in this shroud of misrepresented, false sense of respect; both inward and outward. It’s a fact that when what was remains to be the arresting perspective against what truly is. The future of what can be will never be, because on remains based in insanity; doing the same thing over and over and expecting new results.

We have to revise our standards for respect. What accomplishments are truly worth respecting? Being quick to pull a pistol? Being quick to fly off the handle? Not giving a fuck? Right? All that means nothing and there is a million others like you in prisons across the world. All that is an easy route… it’s easy to pull that pistol and make someone respect you. But it isn’t real respect. It’s easy to sock some out and have them respect you. But that is not real respect; it’s out of fear and that too, isn’t real. Real respect comes from being your own man; manning up to your responsibilities that are called upon of you brings respect. Standing tall through adversity, that’s commendable. Challenging the status quo because deep inside you know certain things aren’t right. But to respect someone because they twist their finger up and try to pump fear into their surroundings by force and intimidation or violence, that fear, not respect. To have high esteem because you bath in ignorance still makes you just as filthy.