Role models and true stories of respect

From 16Guidelines

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein wrestled with the issue of respect all through his life. “Long live impudence! It is my guardian angel in this world!1” he famously declared. His scientific discoveries were driven by an extraordinary ability to question. “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” At the same time he was capable of innate humility. Even when he was one of the most famous scientists in the world, he still described himself as a curious child standing before the great mystery of the universe.

Einstein’s own investigation into the nature of the universe convinced him that human beings are interdependent rather than independent. “When we survey our lives and endeavours we soon observe that almost the whole of our actions and desires are bound up with the existence of other human beings” he said. On this basis he tried to be a dutiful son to his parents, even when they opposed his marriage. “We mustn’t forget that many existences like my parents’ make our existence possible” he reminded his future wife – and himself.

Einstein believed that to develop respect for people with more knowledge or understanding than ourselves is a vital part of human development. When he was living in the USA, he was invited to share his views on education by the New York State Education Department. “In teaching history,” he replied “there should be extensive discussion of personalities who benefited mankind through independence of character and judgement.”

In keeping with his views, Einstein treated his scientific heroes with enormous reverence. However he was capable of being flamboyantly disrespectful to the teachers that he didn’t respect. “Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolised4” he said. Although Einstein was capable of profound respect, it had to be based on thinking for oneself. He stated on many occasions that blind respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. Perhaps it was this combination of respect and free thinking that powered his greatest achievements as a scientific and humanitarian thinker.

Barbara Wiedner

In 1981, a housewife called Barbara Wiedner became aware that there were 150 nuclear weapons ready for firing at an air force base near her home in Sacramento, California. She was struck by the fact that “if things did not change, my precious grandchildren could be part of the last generation on earth” and joined the protestors with a sign (made by one of her grand-daughters) that read ‘Grandmother for Peace.’ The following year, during her first spell in jail for non-violent civil disobedience, Barbara decided to link up with other grandparents to capitalise on their unique voice and role in society. Grandmothers for Peace is now an international network of volunteers who campaign on “peace and justice issues that affect the human family” such as the danger of nuclear power plants, radioactive waste, the weaponisation of space, and global militarism. They also offer Peace & Justice Scholarship Awards, and commit to guide their grandchildren in the ways of non-violence. Barbara commented that “In most cultures around the world, grandmothers are revered as the ‘keepers of the peace’. We are inspired and motivated by that fact, but realize that in today’s dangerous world we can no longer keep or promote peace by sitting in our rocking chairs.” Barbara passed away in December 2001 but the organisation that she founded continues to flourish.

Taken with permission from [www.grandmothersforpeace.org]