It's about respect

Sometimes it takes a series of angry emails, virtual arguments (so to speak) to clarify what is important to a person. I’m battling a headache, something that started pounding yesterday as the Incident initially raised its convoluted head.

The Incident, as I non-affectionately refer to it, was simply discovering that a local non-profit organization had used two of our copyrighted images in their video. I don’t believe I am a stingy person, but I am also a business person, and understand that to play fast and loose with our creative property is equivalent to leaving the storeroom door open.

I was willing to allow the organization to continue using the images, providing they understand they were not to use them again in future projects, without prior permission.

Unfortunately, the video’s creator refused to acknowledge he infringed on our rights, and gave a myriad of faulty reasons why he could use the images without our permission. And, he was rather snotty about it.

When the dust finally settled, one member of the organization said they finally understood I wasn’t angry because I thought they were stealing from me, but because they weren’t polite.

Polite?

I chewed that over for a few minutes, and suddenly understood why each email that whirled between the video’s producer and I stoked my irritation.

It wasn’t about being polite, it was about respect.

It is disrespectful to take any person’s property, be it their car, money or creative rights to a photograph or article.

It is disrespectful to dismiss a person who comes to you with a grievance, refusing to hear what they say.

It is disrespectful to use belittling language, and resort to name calling, something that this individual did.

It was all about respect. I never realized until today how much I value respect. Why I think it is important to treat others with respect. And looking back, I have always bristled when I’ve witnessed others treating a person with disrespect.

To allow others to disrespect you, is to disrespect yourself.