It occurred to me while watching television the other day that our culture conveys positive qualities and titles to certain members of our society who don’t necessarily deserve the recognition that flows from those descriptors. Specifically, I had “channel surfed” onto one of the many daytime shows involving a judge and small claims court. It doesn’t matter which one. Judge Wopner was the first, years ago, and he has had several disciples since. But the nameplate in front of his bench (It’s actually an elevated podium, isn’t it?) stated “Honorable Judge (fill in the blank).” It struck me that I don’t know if that judge is honorable or not. This isn’t meant to knock those who preside over a courtroom per se. I’m sure that many judges are honorable people, but some are not. It doesn’t matter; they all get to be called “the honorable……..”
It that same vein, our culture is peppered with other such titles. We adorn people who have a flair for the classroom and studying with the label “professor” or “doctor.” It suggests wisdom and the ability to help that they do not necessarily possess. Ministers are identified as “the reverend” whether they are virtuous, and therefore worthy of respect, or not. One of the most common words we hear or read which is used to describe politicians is “integrity.” Charity demands that I avoid commenting on that one. Many of us attach letters after our names which attest to academic achievement or some sort of credential. The more letters after your name, the more dignified it suggests the possessor of them to be.
I had an Uncle Ray who was a very wise man. He was a successful businessman in the same industry as my father. I loved spending time with Uncle Ray although, looking back, I may not have been old or mature enough to fully understand and appreciate some of his messages to me at the time. Fortunately, his voice still plays in my memory at times, and his wisdom comes through in the way that time release pills heal us hours after we have taken them. One of Uncle Ray’s messages was as follows: “There is no such thing as a dignified job or career. One label (lawyer, doctor, plumber, or street cleaner) is no more dignified than the other. The men or women instill dignity into the job by how they perform it.”
Uncle Ray’s voice spoke to me as I searched for a topic to write about today. How correct he was in his understanding of the true worth of a person! Looking into the metaphorical mirror of self understanding, what do we see? Do we at times fawn over powerful, wealthy, or titled people because of the status their influence, money, or label implies? Perhaps more importantly, do we look past the busboy at the restaurant or custodian in our office building as we hurry to greet the CEO or Director or Senator across the room?
Do we seek an increase in our own sense of worth by associating with those titled or labeled (but not necessarily really dignified) persons? In our quest to become better, healthier persons, in all definitions of those terms, do we recognize and honor those individuals of our acquaintance who are truly “dignified” whether they push a broom, sit at a computer terminal, or serve us lunch?
The next time you catch yourself either fawning or ignoring, remember my Uncle Ray. Adjust accordingly.
