I purposely park a few blocks away from my office. (For one, I need the exercise and two, it’s a beautiful walk). The other day I strolled along the block on the way to my car. As I approached the corner, two groups of high school girls crossed my path and headed down the sidewalk to my right. The first group consisted of two Somali girls dressed head to toe in the traditional Muslim covering called a “Burqa.” They were quietly walking shoulder to shoulder, slouched a little, with their heads down. The second group of girls was dressed in the typical American outfit: jeans, T-shirts and Toms and they were chatting away. I could easily tell the cultural differences.
The closer I came to intersecting the groups, the more I understood the second group’s conversation. I couldn’t believe what I heard. That group was loudly criticizing the Somali girls’ outfits and all that they represented. Berating comments about the pair looking like “Ghosts” and how they should get back on the ship home. (My gut is churning even as I write this and I’m sparing you the expletives and dirty talk that slithered out of the second groups mouths). I stood there dumfounded as they passed ahead of me a few dozen yards. By the time the vulgarity registered within me, both groups were too far away for me to chase down so I continued on in disbelief. (I also figured that a 40+ year old man running after a group of high school girls would not look good to the local police).
What the second group of girls lacked (other than a good grounding and maturity) was the basic understanding of respect. I do not agree with the Muslim religion but I respect Muslims. I do not agree with the requirement of a certain dress by that religion but I respect the people. Respect is simply means to act with politeness, courtesy and civility, even if you don’t agree. There is no value is ripping apart a person based on stereotypes, even when those stereotypes prove to be true. The benefits of having an attitude of respect for all people is that it opens doors to a deeper understanding of cultures (in this case), human interactions and relationships.
Respect is one of the keys that opens the door to success in your business and personal lives. Remember that even though we don’t need to accept the behaviors of people, we should foster a deep respect for others as God-created, Jesus-loved human beings.
Peace,
Posted by Todd 
