Mike DomitrzPresident, Author, and Speaker on Respect, The Center for Respect, Inc. · Author & Speaker on Respect for Schools, Corporations, & the Military since 1990 (has reached

Respect is unconditional.

13 Jun 2025 · 1 min

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In this monologue, the speaker asserts that every person possesses inherent value, regardless of their actions. When encountering individuals who behave horrifically, the speaker emphasizes the need to remember that hidden value and to extend empathy rather than respond with dehumanizing language. The speaker clarifies that this stance does not equate to approval of harmful behavior; they will still call out and hold people accountable, but they will avoid labeling them as "monsters" or using hateful terms. The core argument is that respecting a person's dignity is a personal choice that reflects a belief that all humans deserve basic respect, even when they act disrespectfully toward others.

Chapters

I view no matter who I meet in this world, somewhere in that person, somewhere, is value. And if that person is acting in a horrific way in any capacity, I have to stop and remind myself somewhere in there is value. And if anything, I have empathy for them because they haven't found it or they've lost it or they're in a lost way. But to speak or spew hatred about them, even if they speak hatred about me, I'm not speaking hatred back. This is my choice. And here's my only reason why. The second I speak it back, I don't believe every human being deserves dignity and respect. So I have to make a choice that even though they're treating me with disrespect, who I am is not the one who treats others with disrespect. That doesn't mean I approve what they're doing. That doesn't mean that I won't speak out against what they're doing. And that doesn't mean I won't hold them responsible for how they're doing all of this. But what I won't call them is a monster. I won't call them words that dehumanize. I'll use words that hold them responsible.