When we honor dignity, we bring value to ourselves and others. It is amazing to me to see how a person responds when you treat them in a way that tells them they are included, that you understand, and that they are accepted. Many of us want to be treated like we matter. We want to be accepted for who we are. As a nurse there is no greater gift than having a patient or family tell you what you meant to them as they are going through a challenging time. There is no greater gift as a leader when someone tells you that you made a difference to them as they move forward in their career. I have spent much of my career as a nurse striving to make a difference. It is what drives me every day. It is my passion because so many others have done that for me.
There is another side to dignity, and it is when we violate the dignity of others. Out of all the things that I have taken away from both Dr. Donna Hicks’ PhD two books on dignity, it is understanding the lifelong scars we leave when we violate the dignity of others. I was scared but trust me I left them as well. It is why I will always stand up for those who feel they have no voice because I once felt that way. I will stand up for those who are treated without dignity because of the job they have or their accent, or how they look. My mother did not have a corner office in a corporate tower. She was a Black woman and single parent trying to raise 3 black men in the inner-city, but I will say this until the day I leave this earth my mother is the smartest person I know, she gave her sons the tools to survive. Some of us took a long time to listen but eventually all three of us became better men.
I work hard to give others the things my mother gave to us. I was lucky because it took till my late thirties to realize how selfish and self-destructive, I was being. I am fortunate that I got the opportunity to take those lessons and help others. I cannot make up for the things that I have done in my past, but I can give something back to help the future of others. Will I ever find redemption? I do not know but what I do know is this journey will be a great ride.
When we honor dignity, it opens the door for us to do amazing things, I believe we all have the potential to do remarkable things. We have the ability to leave an everlasting mark on the world. What mark will you leave?
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” Nelson Mandela
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 