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October 9, 2024
Dear University Community,

Respect is one of those weighty words that is often carelessly tossed around. If we are honest, most of us notice it more when it is absent after we are offended, after a perceived slight, from a rude tone or off-the-cuff remark to feeling shut down. We don’t often argue about what the absence of respect looks like. We could, I’m sure, swap stories about instances of harm. No one, no group, has the marker cornered on disrespect; it is an experience that, to varying degrees, we all share. This unfortunate equalizer leads us all to demand respect, often before offering it. Respect is something we all think we deserve.
Donna Hicks, in the video below, recounted a story of working on dialogues with parties in international conflicts. “They would pound their fist on the desk and say we demand respect over and over by the other side.” She countered, “We can’t demand respect. I think you want to demand to be treated like a human being, to be treated with dignity.” Most use these words interchangeably, but the distinction is critically important. Dignity is inherent; we possess it simply by being human. Violations of our dignity cause us harm. Respect, Hicks argues, and the parties in her dialogues agree, has to be earned. Although it is nowhere near as catchy as the famous line in the Aretha Franklin song, “All I’m askin’ is for a little respect,” we’re asking for human dignity. Imagine the respect and goodwill we could build if we can figure out how to treat others more consistently with dignity. Not sure where to start? Check out the resources below and commit to putting the ideas into practice.
In service,
Enobong (Anna) Branch, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Equity and Professor
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