Getting older brings on a different attitude because you become more secure with who you are and the respect you require. I watched the video of singer/actress Kelly Rowland, getting into a minor verbal spat with security at the Cannes Film Festival. Recently, Kelly also made the news for walking out on hosting for the Today Show. What these two events show is that Kelly knows her worth and will not allow disrespect others.
This made me think about myself. I was always an outspoken kid around the people I knew. When it came to being in public, I was shy. I was not one to defend myself in many situations for many years. Something about getting older changes this. I often use the phrase, “I like people, but I don’t like people.” I am very friendly and I treat everyone the same and with respect. If lost, my voice would be heard and my actions seen. I have great patience working with children with disabilities and adults with various conditions over the years. What I don’t have is tolerance for people who abuse their power. I don’t like people who talk down to you in unwarranted situations.
I can recall when I first started graduate school. It was the month of June and I learned the end of the summer semester possibly conflicted with my paid vacation. I emailed the program director. She said we will discuss it on the first day of orientation. On this day, her tone of voice and what she said would have warranted cursing her out. But I bit my tongue for the sake of my school career. She used her power to disrespect me. Now fast forward to last year, I walked into a new patient’s room. The disrespect hit me as I soon as I introduced myself. I had to kindly say, “This is my first time meeting you, either you want to work with me or I can leave.” This patient then explained herself and apologized and was kind after.
I hate that this video has depicted Kelly as this “angry black woman.” We live in a world that is evolving each day. Whether you’re Black or White, not tolerating disrespect should not be judged so harshly. People out here need to watch it because there is no reason for anyone to be treated this way. The security agent may not have known who Kelly Rowland was before, but I’m sure she knows her now. To end, let’s spread love, and do unto others as you want done to you.