What’s the new what? I say disrespect is the new chivalry.
Take a listen to this classic love song from 1972 by the Four Tops:
Oooh, (ain't no woman like the one I've got.)
Oh, no, they don't come better.
(To make her happy doesn't take a lot.)
Now take a listen to a remix from my generation, by Bay Area rap legend Too Short…
Aint no bitches like the ones I got
All top notches gotta stay on top
Party all night and we make a lot
Gotta keep a fat knot it don’t stop, bitch
Aint no bitches like the ones I got
Of course music can’t be the only factor contributing to what Ebony magazine calls “a culture of disrespect.”The other day, I was walking down the street talking to people about this idea, when a grown man who should know better…said this.
RUDE GUY: When you was walkin’ away, my nephew said “Make him want it, man.” ‘Cause your ass was shakin’…it was nice!
He had the nerve to say that to me with my camera rolling. In my 18 years on the planet, I’ve heard it all…
“Hey! Girl with the glasses!” “or “Hey sexy! Come here!” and my personal favorite, “How you doin’ chocolate?”
Some might say that I should be flattered by getting approached so often, and maybe I would be… if guys weren’t so disrespectful.
In fact, most young people I talked to, like 21-year-old Nate Hadden, had never even heard of the term.
NATE: I don’t know what chivalry means…is that like shaking? Some type of shaking? [No] Oh it’s not slang? Oh chivalry… I don’t know what that means.
No wonder chivalry’s dead. Talking to people, there were lots of theories. Some people said the feminist movement led to the demise of chivalry. Others thought the media’s portrayal of women as sexual objects was to blame.
But 50 year old high school teacher Ms. Nichols says there’s another reason. Parents these days often neglect to put the idea of chivalry in their lesson plans.
Ms. Nichols: I think they gave up on the idea as a principle and practice of life and therefore never taught the following generations.
I think it’s about time I create my own lesson plan. So to all the dudes of the universe, listen up:
Lesson 1: If you see a girl on the street and you want to talk to her, try a simple “hello”
Lesson 2: Don’t flail you arms and yell at girls to get their attention—you just look like an idiot.
And finally Lesson 3: Just because you don’t know a girls name, doesn’t me you can call her whatever you want—not sexy, not chocolate, and definitely not (bleep).
For NPR News, I’m Alana Germany. |
Chivalry (noun)- derived from the codes of conduct practiced by medival knights. This behavior is typified by strict senses of honor and displays of courtesy to women.
