Respect. It's one of those words we hear day in and day out. But what does it really mean, and how do we show it? We all possess the ability to show respect, but that doesn't mean we refrain from showing it every now and again. We have all let our emotions overtake us and allowed a few choice words to escape our twisted tongues at times. The way I see it, if you can control your feelings and limit them to a professional manner, you're set.
The golden rule puts it best: Treat others how you want to be treated. Sticking to such an ancient and simple approach is the hard part. Oftentimes, we tend to overreact in situations or simply forget to think about how we would feel if someone treats us the way we might treat them. Bullying is the classic example. The good thing is, most of us realize this fact in our college career. We grow in maturity and learn to express our opinions and feelings in a positive and classy way.
But, I did say most. And since most isn't synonymous with all, there lies the problem. There are a small percentage of people still stuck in the prepubescent years. You don't know how to express your thoughts, much less form your own opinion. Instead, you just jump on the proverbial bash bandwagon and go after what ever there is to go after. The fact of the matter is, it is done and it's simply embarrassing.
It has come to my attention that some people tend to have no respect whatsoever. The thing about respect is that it isn't something only to be directed toward a person or a group of people. Respect can be given to inanimate objects as well. In this case, the respect, or lack of, I refer to will be focused on our very own collegiate institution.
The saddest part of this lack of respect is that such behavior is not justified. Take for instance the most recent news from Longwood that Three 6 Mafia, a popular musical group, will not be performing at Oktoberfest this year. Some students have written expletives on Facebook and sent inappropriate Twitter messages to the university's networking page. They have called Longwood University a "racist" institution and have said unthinkable things about fellow students and administrators. All this, over a band that only a few students even had a say in choosing. Such outrage directed not toward the people who made the decision, but to the institution as a whole.
Think about the faculty members or administrators who are cruising through Facebook profiles or are typing the university's name in the query bar on a social networking page. How will they react? Mind you, what would your organization's president think if they knew one of their members is putting down the university just out of spite? That's the wrong impression you want to give them. The problem is feelings take over and the consequential thoughts fail to cross your mind. That's a problem because once you have let your emotions control you, it's all over and you might as well face the consequences of your immature actions.
Sure, I've been upset with Longwood a few times over some decisions. Last winter, I felt as if one day in particular when there was ice on the sidewalks and it was sleeting at 7:20 a.m., a decision should have been made to suspend 8 a.m. classes. I've had issues with tuition increases and I've felt the university should have responded with more appropriate actions in a few select incidents over the past few years. But, I have handled such instances respectively and professionally. If that is ensured, I feel like my opinion is justifiable.
The problem is, it's not just in light of some recent events. It seems to be a constant for many students to deface Longwood's title in the name of personal justice. Just because our soccer team loses four games in a row, that does not give someone the right to discredit the players or the team. They still work hard even though the end result may not support that thought. What if the roles were reversed?
Instead of complaining and showing off on Facebook, Twitter, what have you, about why "Longwood Sucks," why not actually join or start some sort of advocacy group to address these problems. Have a say in the problems. Write a letter to someone and tell them, in a professional manner, how you feel. Get some friends to join in your cause. Numbers often speak louder than words, and a strong backing on a small campus will definitely make a mark.
