THE CZECH IS IN THE MAIL
Respect.
The word is more than just a song and song title by Aretha Franklin. Respect was once a way of life.
Two recent instances are indications that respect is losing its status. One involved a politician reportedly insulting a seriously ill teenager and the other concerns cemetery vandalism here in Taylor.
On Monday, 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel paid a visit to Taylor, where he was a guest deejay on 98.5 KRXT. After talking on the air, DJ traveled to Georgetown where he was sworn in as an honorary Williamson County sheriff’s deputy, as well as by other lawenforcement agencies.
During the visit to the Taylor radio station with DJ and his father, Theodis Daniel, it was called to our attention that a politician reportedly made comments about his DJ’s head.
The Texas teen — who is on a nationwide tour to honor peace officers while also creating awareness about childhood cancer — has had brain surgery 13 times.
The derogatory comment about DJ’s appearance aired on a nationally syndicated radio show, and the segment faced a lot of backlash — rightfully so.
I think we can all agree that an adult making fun of a child is unacceptable.
The other example of disrespect I saw recently was at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Taylor. Numerous tombstones or graves have been desecrated.
One grave marker had the plate removed. A picket fence around another tombstone was damaged.
Reports have been made to the Taylor Police Department regarding the vandalism.
As of press time, the damage remains under investigation.
The tombstone which had the plate removed marks the burial site of a veteran who served our country in World War II and Korea. For this to happen at all is unacceptable, but to happen this close to Memorial Day is abominable.
Memorial Day is a sacred time to show our respect to those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We don’t need to disrespect our fallen members of the armed forces by desecrating their burial sites.
We need less bullying and less destruction of property. We need more respect.
Chlapek is the area editor of the Taylor Press and Elgin Courier. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners. com.
