Principled: Travis and I were in detention in grade 7 because, when Mlle. Bialowas went to the bathroom, I convinced him to get up on the desk with me and sing “hey Mickey you’re so fine...” for no real reason. Our entire French class got up and did it too. It was especially fun because all of the class rooms at Don Valley JHS were in such close proximity that I could see Mr. Brown’s English students laughing and clapping along with us. I could see the sweat on Mr. Brown’s brow; he was livid, furiously battling his inner demons with the Nanji rep. He kicked me out of his English class on my first day of school for no reason... he looked at me and said “another Nanji eh... get out”. Sweet! So I was in my principal’s office doing time. She wanted me to write out what I did and beg for atonement. I handed her my paper – written in purple crayola crayon – and she said “your spelling is terrible, here’s a good trick to remember: a principle’s a principle, but a principal is your pal.”
Thanks princiPAL Chaimbers
Loyalty: That night was the first time someone defended my honour. While violent and jolting, the love and dedication that came with it made me feel safe. Thinking about the people we defend and support puts a smile on my face. Loyalty isn't a trade off. It's something intrinsically woven into your construction. It's an innate belief that can't be jeopardized. It's knowing when to say yes or no. It's knowing when to say sorry without feeling defeated.
Humility: Knowing how little you are in comparison.
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ReplyDeleteIf loyalty is intrinsically woven into your construction, and therefore varies depending on individual differences (such as beliefs based on personal and cultural values) then loyalty may also be learned. I say this because the value of loyalty is culturally determined, reflects the status quo, and is expressed differently as a result. So, loyalty varies because it's value varies according to varying cultural norms, or the environmental context (according to this logic!).
ReplyDeleteBut... I have a mysterious feeling that degree of loyalty is related to degree of empathy (an inherent trait). It still lurks ... What does this say about me? What does this say about you? Are we equally loyal?
I am not saying there isn't a component that is genetically predetermined, that your personality is partially inherent, and that ability to intrinsically demonstrate basic human values permeates social context and should represent ultimate ethical standards. But I am saying, this may not be the whole truth.
I think it is a matter of how much we want to attribute loyalty to an external or internal Locus of Control, and therefore, how much responsibility we are capable and willing to take in terms of our own loyalty, and our perceptions of the loyalty of others.
xo