Standing up for respect

onyxlynx recommends sohotrightnow 's essay responding to those complaining about being asked to be courteous to others.

(The essay is fabulous. I clicked on her link to the post she was responding to, and wished I hadn't.)

I was just thinking earlier today about how much I appreciate the courage, strength, honesty, and vulnerability of all these people standing up for respect over the past few years in relation to racism, ablism, transphobia, et sad cetera. I'm slowly learning to recognize disrespectful behavior (in myself and others), and stand up for respect myself.

Sure, there's anxiety about exactly these kinds of reactions. "Who do you think you are?" "Why should I care?" "Sit down and shut up!" But at least I'm not doing them to myself (as much), and the voice that says, "I count! I care. I'm standing and speaking," is loud enough to hear.