The other day I posed a question which, at best, was misguided. It went something like this "if a higher percentage of the population were blind, would having sight be considered a handicap?". The answer to this question is fairly obvious. The problem is that I asked the wrong question. The right question had more to do with prejudice and the inequities that we face when we're in the minority of a given population.
For instance, I'm left-handed. Approximately 30% of the general population is left-handed which puts me in that particular minority. Do I feel a sense of prejudice towards left-handed people. Quite frankly, yes. There are statistics that talk about lefties being in more accidents (not just 'car', mind you) like household accidents. Well, you would be too if your house was build for right-handers. Sounds dumb, but it's true. Anyhow, this is just an example of what I'm talking about.
For whatever reason I got to thinking about the short end of the stick that we all face in some way. If you think hard enough, I'm sure you can think of some sort of minority population to which you belong.
Getting back to my question about the blind... let's try and fix the question. "If a higher percentage of the population were blind, would the world be a different place?". Again, an obvious answer.
"If a higher percentage of the population were blind would they be prejudiced toward those with sight?". Hmmm, now we're getting somewhere. It seems to me that the folks in the majority tend to wield their power over those in the minority. Why?
At a major sporting even, let's say a football game, there might be 100 security personnel in attendance. In the audience, there's 90,000 screaming fans. How difficult would it be for the audience to over-run security and gain access to the field -- no very. Why don't they? The answer has to do with respect for authority. But a 'majority' does not get respect from 'the minority'. Is that what it is? Simple respect?
I don't tease right-handers when they drop something or have a minor accident. Is that really my place? I think there are larger issues at hand here. I think prejudices have more to do with fear than anything else. 'I don't know that person so I fear how they could change my life'. Another big part of it is ignorance -- these people just don't know any better.
I've almost always been a advocate for the 'little guy' who is just trying to live their life or do their job without harming another. Sometimes I get kicked in the knees because they turn it back on me or think I'm naive enough to be lied to. If I feel like I have some sort of power to make their outcome better, I'll certainly try without making any promises.
I am disappointed at those who further prejudices by handing it to their children. It's unfortunate because the children don't know any better. It's "learned hate" and I don't really like it, but is that me being prejudiced toward their way of life? No, that's just me expressing an opinion. Fortunately, I don't know anybody like this or I'd distance myself from the pretty quickly.
In the world of the blind, the one-eyed man is king... unless he's prejudiced towards blind people -- then he'd be overthrown. (they're not deaf, you know...)
For instance, I'm left-handed. Approximately 30% of the general population is left-handed which puts me in that particular minority. Do I feel a sense of prejudice towards left-handed people. Quite frankly, yes. There are statistics that talk about lefties being in more accidents (not just 'car', mind you) like household accidents. Well, you would be too if your house was build for right-handers. Sounds dumb, but it's true. Anyhow, this is just an example of what I'm talking about.
For whatever reason I got to thinking about the short end of the stick that we all face in some way. If you think hard enough, I'm sure you can think of some sort of minority population to which you belong.
Getting back to my question about the blind... let's try and fix the question. "If a higher percentage of the population were blind, would the world be a different place?". Again, an obvious answer.
"If a higher percentage of the population were blind would they be prejudiced toward those with sight?". Hmmm, now we're getting somewhere. It seems to me that the folks in the majority tend to wield their power over those in the minority. Why?
At a major sporting even, let's say a football game, there might be 100 security personnel in attendance. In the audience, there's 90,000 screaming fans. How difficult would it be for the audience to over-run security and gain access to the field -- no very. Why don't they? The answer has to do with respect for authority. But a 'majority' does not get respect from 'the minority'. Is that what it is? Simple respect?
I don't tease right-handers when they drop something or have a minor accident. Is that really my place? I think there are larger issues at hand here. I think prejudices have more to do with fear than anything else. 'I don't know that person so I fear how they could change my life'. Another big part of it is ignorance -- these people just don't know any better.
I've almost always been a advocate for the 'little guy' who is just trying to live their life or do their job without harming another. Sometimes I get kicked in the knees because they turn it back on me or think I'm naive enough to be lied to. If I feel like I have some sort of power to make their outcome better, I'll certainly try without making any promises.
I am disappointed at those who further prejudices by handing it to their children. It's unfortunate because the children don't know any better. It's "learned hate" and I don't really like it, but is that me being prejudiced toward their way of life? No, that's just me expressing an opinion. Fortunately, I don't know anybody like this or I'd distance myself from the pretty quickly.
In the world of the blind, the one-eyed man is king... unless he's prejudiced towards blind people -- then he'd be overthrown. (they're not deaf, you know...)