Why is it that people in positions of power over us think that they can control us, manipulate us, demand respect and trust while lying and cheating to get what they want? Maybe it’s ridiculous that it bothers me so much, maybe not…maybe it makes people look at me as though I am still a petulant, imbecilic child instead of an intelligent, open-minded, free-thinking adult. Whatever the case, I am tired of the constant manipulation and abuse of the trust and respect people
think they deserve. I am a firm believer that you must earn respect. It should not be given freely; nor should trust, people must show that they deserve these things from me before I grant them that honor. For gaining the trust and respect of another
is an honor and should be treated as such. It should not be taken lightly, and if it becomes apparent that someone no longer deserves either of these things I have no scruples with immediately replacing them with much less pleasant qualities.
Moreover, what is it about being older that makes people think they know better, that they deserve respect and that they are the ones who make the ultimate decision, especially now that I am an adult? Now I know there are certain situations, say between a parent and a child where the parent does get the final say on matters. That being said, it does not mean that the younger of those involved is necessarily wrong
just because they are younger. If that line of thinking was always followed we would not have made it to the place in life we are now. What if someone younger hadn’t realized how wrong racism was, or what if the woman’s rights movement had never been put in place because the older members of society didn’t agree and decided that since they were older, they were right? More than that, what if we hadn’t separated from England to become and independent people and country? Things would continue to be run the same way as they had always been. We would be stuck hating the way the world was run but unable to do anything about it because virtually no one had a say.
In addition to that, why do people think that because they are older than me that they can control my life? Why does anyone but me have a say at this point? I am almost twenty four years old, not only am I old enough to make my own decisions and should be able to do so without scorn, but I have
earned that right by making the choices I have to get to this point. I am not perfect, not by a long shot, but I am intelligent, and I have shown time and again that I am capable of making good decisions, so why should my opinions and ideas be deemed wrong? Why should I be stuck in my own dark ages unable to break free from the oppression of those who think they know better?
If people manipulate, control, lie, cheat and refuse to tell me everything that goes on, refuse to give me information that I not only need, but deserve, what can they expect from me? Why do they think they deserve my trust when they have repeatedly shown me that they cannot be trusted? Why do they think that because they are keeping information from me that I am inferior and that it makes me insubordinate and wrong because I do not fully understand? If you first deny someone water without explanation, and constantly offer them what they desire only to pull it away again, what can be concluded but that you first plant the distrust, then condemn them for refusing to believe anything you say, or take anything you may offer?
Now I know that people like to think they understand me, but hardly anyone does. Everyone’s minds work differently, everybody processes things differently, and no one experiences things exactly the same way. When people tell me they understand and try to trivialize my pain it irritates me to no end. You do not understand everything. Maybe you can understand to an extent from your experience in certain situations…but you do not feel exactly what I feel, you do not know what is going on in my head or my heart. Don’t presume to think that you
understand me. Don’t pretend that by saying you understand you can somehow show me that I am the one being unreasonable.
There are few people I trust and respect, there are few who deserve it. Does this make me a bad person? I don’t think so. Does this make me a cautious person? Absolutely. Does this make me wrong? There are many who would say yes, that I should respect my elders, that they are older and wiser and they may be able to give me insight, I do not agree. Most of my “elders” are narrow-minded, prejudiced, bigots who have not come far enough on the evolutionary scale. I have no time or tolerance for people who think that I am wrong in my opinions or beliefs. If they have a difference of opinion, that is fine, it's life. But a differing opinion is a far cry from outright telling me I am wrong. I believe what I believe, if you don’t, fine. But don’t you dare have the audacity to tell me I’m wrong.
I am so tired of the way people treat me, and because of that I refuse to give respect blindly. Nothing will ever change that, just like nothing will ever change the fact that I am an opinionated, slightly irritating and often short-tempered person. However, in spite of all those things, I believe I have the right to trust and respect whomever I choose, whenever I choose and without others telling me who is worthy of it. I choose for myself, I always will. And I am going to say now that if anyone thinks they can change that about me, you are sorely mistaken and will probably lose what respect I may hold for you by trying. And now…once more into the fray.
