We would like to share Sambath Ouk's thoughts on Respect. These remarks were shared by Sam, a Senior at Mayo High School, Rochester, Minneosta, at the press conference launching the 7 component Pledge for Nonviolence. Sam is a member of CYVIC's U.N.I.T.Y. group. The first component of the nonviolence pledge is "To Respect Myself and Others".
Respect...Respect is not an act that you try to gain, but it is something that you try not to lose. It comes with everyday thinking. You like to do stuff for yourself, but always make sure that what you do does not hurt or offend anybody else.
This is a beautiful world if we try to work with each other instead of against each other.
Understand...Understand that a beautiful garden does not consist of one kind, or one color of flower, but of many different kinds, of many different colors.
Understand...Know who I am. Take a few seconds to look into my eyes, and I will tell you. I will tell you who lies within this soul.
You can't make judgement about something you do not know.
Respect starts from giving something a chance. Even a caterpillar needs time to show you how beautiful a butterfly it can be.
Respect only comes at a state of sharing. You tell me who you are. And when we get to know each other...we can learn to understand, and, with this understanding comes the respect.
