Honor, as it seems, is the grandparent of all value systems. For without honor, what would values really be? A bunch of statements that mean nothing, because no one will abide them? Today, we see remnants of the code of honor upheld by societies for multiple millennia. Perhaps what makes us the most nervous about post-modern relativism and the current trends in cultural politics is that the concept of honor itself is under assault. Honor, as a value, has been so cherished by our society that we will even celebrate criminal enterprises that do horrible things, but do so with a sense of honor. Modern movies are still full of tribute to honor as a value, the fact that someone will abide by a sense of loyalty and duty despite the pressures to do otherwise.
Even in our popular streaming series do we see this honor code tried and tested. The Mandalorian’s maintain their code of honor as way to abolish the savage history of their past. It seems that we can celebrate this commitment to honor when we fictionalize it about a people on planet in an imaginary universe that does not exist.
A few months ago, I watched the removal of one of the Robert E Lee statues in Charlottesville. I think it is the right of the citizens of that community to decide who they celebrate and who they put on display, as it seems the Confederate war heroes have lost their appeal these days! However, I thought as they removed that statue, are we seeing the loss of honor as a value in American society? Robert E Lee was for all intents, a hero of our American society before the Civil War. He was the son of Revolutionary War heroes and he fought bravely in the Mexican-American war. He was wanted by the North and the South to be a general in their army. He was not a fan of slavery, and although he owned slaves that he inherited from his estate, he did not hold onto them very long. He had horrible views on black people, that is for certain. For that reason alone, the people in that community are probably justified in disliking his image being held up with great honor in their hometown. However, he did have an impeccable honor. He did not fight for the North, because he had a sense of duty and loyalty to his state. He chose to fight with honor, despite the fact that he did not agree with separation. He would have rather had given up slavery then seen the country fight against itself.
Although he fought on the wrong side of the issue, for almost 200 years after his participation as the leader of the Confederate Army, all who knew him remarked at what incredible grace, honor, and respect he paid all those he interacted with. He stood strongly for the re-union of the country and advocated for the quick abolishment of slavery so the country could heal. He was undoubtedly known for his sense of honor and duty to his country. What an interesting dilemma he was in and even more interesting that he chose the losing side out of a sense of duty, rather than his own ambition. Now, I do not celebrate the man in any way, other than to hold in reverence the people that had to fight and die during a very difficult time in our country’s history.
However, I note that there seems to be an eroding sense of honor as we tear down the reminders of our violent past. It seems that the glue that has held the country together was a sense of honor, duty if you will, to uphold the the Constitution of the United States. That sentiment, nowadays, feels almost heretical. Funny, 10 years ago I would have no concern writing about that topic, but today? You almost are reticent to say anything remotely patriotic in fear of reprisal. I was having a struggle putting my finger on the issue, but then it occurred to me that it was the sense of honor as a value that is what is missing.
Is this idea of honor as a value important? I think it is. There is something really important about a person making a commitment to keep a set of values, uphold a certain ethic, to behave in a certain way. To maintain that commitment, that promise is really at the core of honor as a value. Tradition in the southern states, pre-civil war, was a sense of personal code of honor. We remember pictures of men holding pistol duels in defense of their honor. The United States Marine Corp, has as one of their core values the concept of honor. The absolute requirement that they uphold the utmost ethical and moral character. As I think back, all of the institutions that gain our respect today, from the Comanche Indian creed to the Bushido Code of the Samurai for thousands of years people in our society have been making a commitment to upholding and keeping an honor code.
I sort of cringe to think of what society would be like where men and women do not hold themselves up to a standard, and defend that standard with a code of honor. Fearful that we might be heading in that direction. Well, regardless, I have my own personal code of honor and I guess I will stand here on my small little hill and defend it the best I can.
Guy Reams
