By VPJ Staff

The late great R&B singer, Aretha Franklin, had a monster hit song with Respect, in which she laid down some ground rules with her man in their relationship.  Respect can be defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something, elicited by their abilities, qualities or achievements. It is also understood to be due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.  The word is derived from the Latin verb respicere: to look back at; regard.

To say there is an overall lack of respect in our society today would be a gross understatement!  Given the current traffic situation in Leesville with the south roundabout project, a lack of respect among drivers sticks out like a sore thumb.  Social media is awash with tales of drivers acting less than courteous to other drivers.  In limited driving time this week alone, I was not respected as a fellow driver at least twice.

Now, we are all in the same situation driving around town.  If you are from Leesville, you probably know the shortcuts to get you through town while staying off Highway 171. Use that local knowledge and plan accordingly.  You will lower your stress level.

With respect, where have we gone wrong?  It seems that respect was not a big parental topic over the last twenty years.  This is not a blanket condemnation.  I know some great teenagers and young people who say and do all the right things.  They are the exception, not the rule!  When adults and parents show a lack of respect to authority, another person’s feelings or society in general, you can bet their kids pick up on it.  Now, it works both ways.  Some persons in authority show a lack of respect to the “Average Joe” and that just exacerbates the overall problem.

We may not understand what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes, but we must try a little harder.  You may encounter situations every day that frustrate you; just take that deep breath and exhale.

The editor of the Vernon Parish Journal will tell you I can be pluckish and prickly at times.  I am 72 and still working on it!  It makes me think that younger generations will “grow into it.”  We are all capable of change.  Often it takes just one experience to adjust your attitude.  Here’s hoping your attitude adjustment is not as severe as the Hank Williams Jr. song.

We have all heard the phrase “respect is given when respect is shown.”  We may not agree on much — politics, religion, music, food, cars — but let us try and respect points of view of others.  We might come to a better understanding and find that respect for someone or something that we may have missed in the past.

Like the Staples Singers said, “Respect Yourself!”  We just have to make an A for effort.