by John Hoppy Hopkins on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 6:37pm ·

Everyone is entitled to courtesy and general fairness. No one should be harassed or threatened for no reason, or because of who they are. But respect isn’t something that is given to you. It’s earned. It’s gained and lost through good and bad deeds, and good and bad decisions. This may come as a culture shock to teenagers and young 20-somethings, but NO ONE owes you dip squat. Before you ever get and ounce of respect, you should have pre-paid with a pound of respect. Sorry, that just the way it is. No one owes you special treatment. And you’ll get respect without ever having asked for it. Do something.