Politics, Respect and Judaism

By Samara Kravitz
Stony Brook University

The New York Times carried an article in early September about how the GOP does not respect President Obama. It’s understandable that the two separate parties would not agree with each other’s political views, however, this is not grounds for disrespect. Many sources say that this disrespect may stem from racism towards the President. Of course, this is no excuse for how to treat anyone, much less the President. In 2009, Representative Joe Wilson yelled out, "You lie!" to the President during a Presidential address, which led to a huge uproar. Yet, did this statement open the door for more professional disrespect?

Judaism teaches respect for almost everything: our parents, neighbors and even our pets. Mitzvot (obligations) are one way we show our respect, compassion, and kindness for others, as well as Tikkun Olam – repairing the world. If we want to prevent disrespect and social chaos, we need to be the ones to make the difference in the world. And, if members of the Senate and the House of Representatives took this advice, the interactions between Congress and the President and the way they are portrayed in the media would be very different.

Has society changed to a point where even our government and leaders cannot fully respect one another? In the past when there were bipartisan governments, there were definitely disagreements, but not public displays of disrespect. Does this present lack of respect affect how the government functions? No.

However, the bipartisanship of the government does. For example, the President is trying to create more reform: both domestic, like health care reform, and international, such as International Tax Reform. Congress, on a whole, is disagreeing, which has happened in the past. Bill Clinton recently spoke at Tufts University, talking of this bipartisanship and how Americans must work together in order to reform and progress forward. However, in addition to the lack of respect the members of government show for one another, bipartisan or not, there is also disrespect among Americans. What has been making headlines lately are the Occupy Wall Street movement and the types of people protesting there. Of course, these protesters are met with mixed reactions from society. There are hundreds, if not thousands of protesters from all different political, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Every day they are subject to a media that often disagrees with them, as well as other people judging, disrespecting and portraying them poorly.

Respect: a simple, single word that is so difficult for people to understand and express to others. Overall, there is a huge difference between disagreement and disrespect. In the present day, this fine line between disagreement and disrespect is breached far too often in government; as unfortunate as this may be, it is more frustrating that the people running our country cannot respect each other in a professional manner.

Samara is a student at Stony Brook University, majoring in biology and minoring in music. She loves music, theater, NYC and hopes to go to medical school sometime in the future.

[Posted 11/27/11]