57. In determining whether we are becoming more respectful of one another's
# v2 R# F/ R1 q, {differences, one must examine both overt actions and underlying motives, as well as
/ M+ W2 [$ R! y% P/ `, _& fexamining whether our differences are increasing or decreasing. The issue, therefore, is - F. N+ `5 p: H: f, ]; h8 g
quite complex, and the answer is unclear.+ O- T/ T9 g$ s" ^. m
Disrespect for one another's differences manifests itself in various forms of 4 d# Q: H. k% {/ P- f0 t! V- B$ q
prejudice and discrimination. Since the civil rights and feminist movements of the 60s
6 N3 O0 `# b" x+ n% z# tand 70s, it would seem that we have made significant progress toward eliminating racial 1 b2 W" n7 k4 P4 K( ?0 j5 ^# D1 F
and sexual discrimination. Antidiscriminatory laws in the areas of employment, housing,
* I) J s; T2 L' Dand education, now protect all significant minority groups racial minorities and women, 1 g4 h, S5 A6 v* z d* e/ A
the physically challenged and, more recently, homosexuals. Movies and television
9 f/ G4 K& N. v! K; p, ^7 rshows, which for better or worse have become the cynosure of our cultural attention,
: N& e8 C, }6 L3 q& y, lnow tout the rights of minorities, encouraging acceptance of and respect for others.
4 u3 r# a- M+ l: a- p However, much of this progress-is forced upon us legislative. Without Title 10 and
, C6 P4 a& K" m: J9 m8 fits progenies, would we voluntarily refrain from the discriminatory behavior that the
3 M9 Z& F( Q& X' T- s3 blaws prevent? Perhaps not. Moreover, signs of disrespect are all around us today.
* v! Q) |6 l6 D1 N R, lExtreme factions still rally around bigoted demagogues; the number of "hate crimes" is
( E+ |" q: x, |& }# w; V2 n% F1 _increasing alarmingly; and school-age children seem to flaunt a disrespect toward adults
`' s& a) k3 Z h( O! Cas never before. Finally, what appears to be respect for one another's differences may in % Z. W2 S, m2 ~2 H+ R" ?
fact be an increasing global homogeneity—that is, we are becoming more and more
7 b, Q) V8 p B# s. q( aalike.- X6 k) k. L6 ] d, k! ?' s
In sum, on a societal level it is difficult to distinguish between genuine respect for 9 f1 |& h* J, o8 z1 t1 N1 W
one another's differences on the one hand and legislated morality and increasing
1 u- t0 v* x* S, S m" J; {5 ~homogeneity on the other. Accordingly, the claim that we are becoming more respectful 3 E( Y$ R& C9 M! q# e8 o
of one another's differences is somewhat dubious. |