Whether behind closed doors or at outdoor sports venues, disrespectful and threatening behaviors are being displayed with what looks like little attempt to condemn or correct such practices. We are experiencing mean, discourteous and explosive tirades occurring all around us—especially by well-known individuals, such as politicians and athletes. This sends a message that being disrespectful and even threatening is acceptable behavior. You would think such behavior would be discouraged. Those exhibiting such behavior should be severely admonished and penalized to the fullest degree. However, disrespectful and even threatening behavior seems to be on the rise, even being trivialized or encouraged in some venues.
Peaceful and respectful discourse among disagreeing individuals or groups seems to be a thing of the past. The act of taking the high road and doing what we know is morally right, respecting the rights of others to disagree without being disagreeable has become a mantra that sounds good in words only. The future is frightening if this practice continues and becomes normalized. One is forced to question if anything is sacred when mere disagreements warrant violent verbal and physical outcomes.
Anger is a human and ever occurring emotion, but we should be taught to use self-control and harness this vice instead of unleashing it—especially to keep from hurting ourselves or others. Today, we often see individuals and groups using disrespectful behavior displaying racist, harmful, and derogatory views. They intentionally aim to hurt targeted people.
It is still not too late to turn this hurtful practice of blatant, inexcusable toxic disrespect around and let it be known it will not be accepted or tolerated. Early on, as young children, we teach our children to be civil, respectful and empathetic, adhering to the rules of conduct. Can you imagine the mixed messages children are experiencing when they personally see adults publicly, on TV, and on social media flagrantly using abusive, derogatory, and threatening language to express their views at the expense of innocent individuals or groups? Looking the other way can only go so far. Excusing such abhorrent behavior should not be tolerated.
The moral gate keepers are asleep or have been compromised. Evil prevails when good people do nothing is an adage we should remember. It seems in many cases we are giving certain individuals or groups a ‘get out of jail free card’ by ignoring or playing down their incidents of explosive, incendiary disrespect. We are seeing more episodes of unsportsmanlike behavior in major sports venues, especially football. Players are physically becoming abusive when angered, even though they are penalized with temporary suspensions and huge fines. Perhaps the ante should be raised to show that no matter how well known or famous you may be, your abusive behavior should not go unchecked. Perhaps a penalty should also be exercised for fans of those participating in such destructive, callous behavior.
Responsibility and accountability for initiators of violence and their supporters must be addressed if we are to deter this unsavory practice. I pray that we as a nation and society do not become so desensitized as to eventually accept derogatory, threatening verbal abuse or physical attacks against those we disagree with as commonplace and acceptable behavior. But this seems to be the case when in the chambers of legislators and on athletic fields such unbecoming behavior is constantly occurring and encouraged by the public. What an unfavorable picture we are presenting to our children, our future. They can only follow suit or rebel against the hypocrites they see in so many of us. I pray they follow the latter if we continue in this pattern of ignoring what we are seeing occurring regularly.
I was prompted to write this article after I witnessed a game between Tennessee and Ole Miss where some fans of Tennessee became irate after what they felt was a bad call. They threw water bottles and trash onto the field. As a native Tennessean, I was truly embarrassed and felt it was a blemish on sportsmanship for our state, setting a bad precedence to college football enthusiasts. We are better than this.
