I have to admit, I grow up in an odd household. My mom listened to just about everything from blue grass and country to 80s punk rock.
The only annonying thing I thought about her taste in music was her favorite song, which was Respect by Aretha Franklin.
And yet as I grew up the song has grown on me and as things get ugly I can hear it playing in my mind.
Now any interpration of a song is rather personal and highly subjective but I think that in this case it is important to share what I think the song is about.
Why do I think that? Because frankly things have gotten ugly, Obama supporters have gotten assualted, spat on, death threats, had thier tires slashed and some here have (justifiably) gotten really angry over that.
That said we need to stop and take a deep breathe here people.
We especially need to stop before we act like the people we say we dispise. For if we act like them, we justify not only thier behavior but what they think of us.
I know it is difficult but we need to be all our brothers and sisters keepers; no matter how difficult it is (or perhaps because it is difficult and nothing worth doing is easy) we must not only endure but preserve.
This is about changing not only the history of this country, but our culture and beliefs; none of those are easy. And there will be more people, I can almost gurantee it though I wish I am wrong. My only real wish and hope is that one is hurt that it continues to be property damage and minor altercations.
But even if it isn't, we must brush off the insults, the threats, the intimdation and even the violence if we must. Look to the example of Marin Luther King Jr if you find you need a beacon but for the love of all that you hold dear please don't become these people. Do not allow the bigots and hate mongers to drag you down with them, that is not the way to change this country.
As for my orginal point, what I think ultimately Aretha Franklin is singing about is taht we all want and need a little respect. And personally even while I condemn people's actions I will still respect them as people; I would hope that everyone here will as well.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti my fellow kossacks