2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forum"We always show respect to people,
even to those who don't deserve it. Not as a reflection of their character, but as a reflection of ours."
Wayne William Snellgrove, Fishing Lake, First Nation, Saskatchewan
food for thought...
Arkansas Granny
(31,518 posts)That was a lesson my parents taught me and my siblings as we were growing up. We were taught to use manners with everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, etc. There was not a different set of manners for each situation, just basic good manners and consideration for the feelings of others.
It's amazing how far "please", "thank you", "excuse me" and "I'm sorry" can take you with interpersonal relationships.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Thank you, G_j!
G_j
(40,367 posts)that treating people respectfully does not mean one must refrain from speaking the truth.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)Mentioning how the Golden Rule is interpreted to mean "She who has the most gold, rules" is one of those things that bears mentioning.
Skwmom
(12,685 posts)Selections from William Cobbett's political works.
Their adversaries understand the system better than they do. George Rose or Mr. Huskisson would beat them off their ground, and render them an object of ridicule with the very clerks in their offices. They have no idea of the ludicrous fate that awaits them, if they attempt to bolster up this hated system; and, if they do attempt it, they will, to all their other mortifications, have to add that of hearing me remind them of this prediction, and seeing me take my motto from the Political Register. There never were men so deceived as they, if they imagine, that they will be able to jog quietly on in the old track. The country expects [470] a change of system. This is the expectation of the country; the promise of it would be, in itself, a tower of strength; but, without something in that way be done, there will be no real strength, and the thing will exhibit something worse than weakness.
http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/selections-from-cobbetts-political-works-vol-3/simple.
Ridiculing of people involved in a corrupt process has a long history. I've notice those involved in continuing the assault upon our democracy have no qualms with belittling those who speak out against what is occurring. Of course, people often equate those who believe in equality for all and a fair system to weak individuals ( a charge often made against progressives). But they are wrong.
In addition, not calling out those in the press and our government does nothing but enforce their self rationalization that they are in the right and there is nothing wrong with their actions. I strongly disagree.
I also think political satirist play a vital role in our democracy
G_j
(40,367 posts)In general, my view tends to fall in line with MLK Jr.'s approach.
http://www.thegao.org/mlk6prin.htm
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Six Principles and Steps to Nonviolent Social Change
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was embraced by Americans during the late 1950s and early 1960s because he spoke about the importance of a loving, nonviolent society at a time when social and racial conflict was escalating out of control.
Today, as far as we have come, we still see signs of unhealthy conflict in our communities. Perhaps it is time to revisit and embrace the nonviolent principles in which King believed. These principles are based on his interpretation of Christian doctrine, as well as the teachings of Mohandas Gandhi.
Principle 1: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.
Principle 2: Nonviolence means seeking friendship and understanding among those who are different from you.
Principle 3: Nonviolence defeats injustice, not people.
Principle 4: Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform people and societies.
Principle 5: Nonviolence chooses loving solutions, not hateful ones.
Principle 6: Nonviolence means the entire universe embraces justice.
In addition to the six principles, Dr. King developed a six-step process to help people bring about social change in a nonviolent way.
Step 1: Gather Information
Learn all you can about the problems you see in your community through the media, social and civic organizations, and by talking to the people involved.
Step 2: Educate Others
Armed with your new knowledge, it is your duty to help those around you, such as your neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers, better understand the problems facing society. Build a team of people devoted to finding solutions. Be sure to include those who will be directly affected by your work.
Step 3: Remain Committed
Accept that you will face many obstacles and challenges as you and your team try to change society. Agree to encourage and inspire one another along the journey.
Step 4: Peacefully Negotiate
Talk with both sides. go to the people in your community who are in trouble and who are deeply hurt by societys ills. Also go to those people who are contributing to the breakdown of a peaceful society. Use humor, intelligence and grace to lead to solutions that benefit the greater good.
Step 5: Take Action Peacefully
This step is often used when negotiation fails to produce results, or when people need to draw broader attention to a problem. it can include tactics such as peaceful demonstrations, letter-writing and petition campaign.
Step 6: Reconcile
Keep all actions and negotiations peaceful and constructive. Agree to disagree with some people and with some groups as you work to improve society. Show all involved the benefits of changing, not what they will give up by changing.
Over the years, the King Center has developed training materials to assist people in the application of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s principles of nonviolence. By adopting these principles, Intellectual Properties Management, Inc., manager for the King Estate, hopes people will be inspired to keep the dream alive: The dream that all people are created equal.
Skwmom
(12,685 posts)But then I don't consider mockery and ridiculing the people responsible as falling into that category.