: How to react to this …: I suppose the salient issue is the meaning of "respect". What is it? Eldridge Cleaver was reacting to a prevalent attitude amongst blacks at the time; namely that, through negotiation and a demonstration of competance, that they might obtain the same rights as were enjoyed by whites. He was trying to create a metaphor that would soft-sell his message, which was that power ought to be seized and not asked for. The violence of the Black Panthers is certainly a testament to that.
: I am reminded of the famous question of Machiavelli, when he asks whether it is preferable to be feared, rather than loved. In the case of a panhandler, his request for money certainly is more easily ignored. The thief asks no permission to steal, and is thus 'rewarded' more frequently, at least in the immediate sense. He who robs, of course, places himself outside of the law, and outside of society, but enjoys a higher status than is held by the lowly beggar. I would think that a criminal can command a greater respect, if only out of fear.
: The question then becomes, for what reason - respect? To what end do we wish to be 'respected'? The thief will always receive the deference of society, but that might as easily be shown with the hangman's noose as with fearful avoidance. The panhandler sacrifices respect for sustenance, and an indolent lifestyle. The beggar looks down on society, and considers those who vie for the status that respect brings no more than marks and fools. In Memphis, I once tried to have the local bums perform for me a simple task - to escort one of their own member, newly arrived in town, to the nearest shelter. They seemed to take a gleeful joy in receiving money from me without performing this service. There was almost a professional pride in the way they would blatantly lie about what they would do, or how in need they were, and so forth. They may not have commanded my respect with their feigned obsequiousness, but meek men they were not.
: Personally? I have respect for neither. I would tolerate the beggar, however. If you wish respect from me, you must earn it. Seize it through fear, and expect me to retaliate as soon as circumstances allow. "Millions for defense; not a penny for tribute …"
: D.C.
I agree with you that the thief should not be respected fo his actions, although the hangman's noose seems a bit excessive, doesn't it? But I don't agree that panhandlers also shoudl command no respect. Panhandlers, at least, are consistent. They don't say, "that wealth was stolen from me, now let me steal it back". They invoke charity, which if it was a more common value in our society, we would all be better off.
None.
