Guest Post: Respect Is Malta’s Missing Key To Progress
During the past few days, people from all walks of life, from businessmen to politicians to clergymen have all jumped on the bandwagon, speaking about “solidarity” with the police force. But let’s be honest: none of that is solving the real issue here.
Malta’s core problem is not just the lack of police resources, although that’s part of it. The issue is much deeper – an erosion of respect across society. You can throw all the money you want at the police force, but it won’t stop men from thinking they’re superior to women, or white people from attacking Africans, or someone from mocking trans individuals. These problems run deeper than racism, sexism, or homophobia. The root cause is simple: a lack of respect. And without respect, nothing else matters.
I’ve said this countless times in Parliament, and I’ll say it again: Malta urgently needs to foster a culture of respect.
In a society grounded in respect, men don’t see women as inferior – whether it’s in the boardroom or the bedroom. They don’t treat their female employees or partners like second-class citizens. In such a society, you don’t lash out at a police officer for giving you a parking ticket or a LESA officer for pointing out your mistake. You own it, learn from it, and move on.
Take a leaf from Japan’s book. The Japanese are known for their impeccable sense of respect and civic duty. Ever notice how their streets are spotless despite a lack of public bins?
It’s because they believe in cleaning up after themselves. In Japanese schools, students clean their own classrooms. They’re taught from a young age that respect for their environment and community is their responsibility. Imagine how different Malta would be if we had that same mentality.
In Japan, the idea of respect is ingrained in everything – from the way people greet each other to how they interact with public spaces. You don’t see them parking in front of wheelchair ramps or tossing cigarette butts on the street because that would be a sign of disrespect to everyone else. Meanwhile, here in Malta, some people think it’s perfectly acceptable to park our massive SUVs wherever we like, or leave our rubbish on the curb for someone else to deal with.
In a society based on respect, one doesn’t mock someone for being trans. One doesn’t insult a man for crying because “real men don’t cry.” And one certainly doesn’t yell at one’s own aging mother for being forgetful. Respect goes beyond mere politeness; it’s about recognising the humanity in everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
Respect means treating everyone equally, from the CEO to the person working to most humble of jobs. It means treating the waste collector, cleaner, grocer, manager, teacher, driver, accountant, delivery person, and journalist with the same level of decency. You don’t look down on anyone because you realise we’re all part of the same society.
Now, compare that with Malta today, where some people are lining their pockets by exploiting foreign workers. They’ve figured out how to squeeze profits from human suffering, and guess what? They couldn’t care less. That’s the kind of “respect” they have for the people they exploit. Let’s hope their wealth, built on the backs of the vulnerable, brings them no peace of mind.
And sure, politicians can get up and condemn violence all we want. But here’s the thing: the problem isn’t violence itself – it’s the culture of disrespect that breeds it. It’s the hunger for power and money at any cost, a mentality that screams, “I’m alright, Jack, and to hell with everyone else.”
Forget about education strategies if we’re not teaching respect in the classroom. Forget about subsidies and speeches on the working and middle classes if we’re not first addressing the fundamental lack of respect in society. Look, Japan doesn’t need endless debates about solidarity with the police because their citizens are taught to respect authority, public spaces, and each other from day one. And it shows.
In Malta, everything starts with respect. Not just discipline. Not just more resources. Respect.
From the top down, this needs to be the cornerstone of our society. If we don’t address this lack of respect, we’ll never solve the problems of violence, racism, misogyny, exploitation, and abuse of power. And let’s be clear – respect isn’t about being nice. It’s about accountability, decency, and realising that we all have a role to play in keeping our society functional.
In Japan, kids learn to clean up after themselves because they understand that respect for their environment is respect for their community. In Malta, we’re still waiting for someone else to clean up our mess. But it’s time we roll up our sleeves and start cleaning up after ourselves – literally and figuratively.
So, before we throw more money at the police (albeit much needed), or debate yet another public safety campaign, let’s start with something simple. Let’s build a culture of respect. It’s the foundation for everything else.
Randolph Debattista is a current Labour MP and Malta’s designate ambassador to Geneva