I was surprised to learn that a couple of people who I had always thought were open-minded and liberal minded individuals held intensely deep prejudices and dare I say it... outright bigoted views!
And how did I come to know this? For one of them, it was an innocuous statement that left me slack-jawed and staring in disbelief. I managed to recover in time and this person didnt realize how much they had shocked me. I initiated another conversation a few days later and sadly managed to confirm my worst fears. To this person, a certain group of people were automatically tagged with a certain label and other groups with other labels.
Twas very similar for the other person as well. A seemingly innocent statement was made and there was an obvious preconception and a snap judgement was made. For the second person, I was able to confront them a bit more directly and say, "What the hell do you think you mean by that?" I was unable to make them understand why I felt so strongly about preconceived notions that categorized people. Categorized them in the worst possible way.
The worst part of the whole situation is that these individuals did not see ANYTHING wrong or unfair in their views. I realized quite quickly that it would be banging my head against a brick wall to attempt to change their minds or attitudes. Which brings me to the story of the man who wanted to change the world. He tried so hard all his life and on his death bed he realized that he should have started with changing himself.
This disturbing experience has made me realize that one has to continually question oneself and strive to improve everyday. And hope that by doing this, you set an example to others around you and MAYBE get them to reflect some of the values you hold very dear to you heart.
I apologize for the lack of details, the post was deliberately written that way for obvious reasons.
I leave for Nigeria in 8 days by the way and get there in 9! I absolutely cannot wait! Final round of shopping this weekend. I hope! And next week Saturday, Las Gidi (Lagos) Here I Come!
2 comments:
I always found it difficult when confronted with prejudices and bigotry and I think my time in AIESEC has made it all the more difficult. When people liberally apply a label to a certain nationality my mind immediately races through the photograph album in my mind to a global village stall and to the people there and the traditions being represented. And then I feel personally insulted...that they could prejudge people I call friends...But then I consider how lucky I have been to be in the priviledged position that I am, to have had the opportunity to sit not once but 4 times in a plenary representing over 100 countries and territories. It is at times like this that I realise the challenge that lies ahead of us if we are to truly be what AIESEC as an organisation claims its members are – Change Agents
I will like to share this experience with you. While I was in Hungary, I met a guy who said this story that when he was 8 years old living in France, he told his parents “dad & Mum, I have a girl friend” “That is very nice.” said the dad. “How is she, who is she?” asked the dad. The boy answered “she is very beautiful, brown eye, black hair, 0.8 meters tall, 8 year old like me”. “Ok then, invite her home for lunch next Sunday” said the mother.
On the said Sunday, the boy brought home his sweet heart. Lo and behold, the first thing the father said was that “whoa! She is black!!” It was at the moment that the boy realized that his 2 months old girl friend is thoroughly black and not white French like him.
What is my point, we are all a result of our society and the society helps in forming our believes and opinions. I have learnt not to be disappointed about people I expected to know better. I guess we just have to take the extra effort in enlighten them as we pass along. And we should be grateful for the kind of experiences we have been able to have while still young.
I have spoken too much.
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