Being a lefty: In my perspective.....

Be it in a simple act of writing, using tools or even eating, these seemingly familiar activities most would take for granted has somewhat, become an issue for at least 10 % of the population.

I'm talking (or typing) about HANDEDNESS..... particularly lefties (including me).

See, while growing up, I knew that I was different. My whole family are right-handed except my big brother no.2 (I have 2 big bros). I've always felt like I was in the minority in the classroom, simply because most of the other kids are righties (in terms of which hand is used for writing). I've also had some issues with 'the dreaded piece of tool'....... a.k.a 'the scissors'. My thumb and index finger would blister every time I use the scissors. Let's face it, using certain equipments in an 'improper' way can not only harm us physically, but also mentally. I was so clumsy with the scissors, I'd rather rip the papers off with my bare hands than to 'cut them off properly' with a pair of scissors. I really felt stupid using them.

In addition, writing has become somewhat, a problem for us. Usually, we lefties would usually leave ink smudges on the page. That is why I prefer to use pencil when writing. But at least, I did not suffer severe discrimination here in Malaysia. I have the freedom to be a lefty here.

But what makes me want to write about this topic is that there were actually prejudice against lefties in the past (still does, but very minute). I believe that we lefties are a misunderstood lot. There are possible reasons for this. One of them has something to do with ancient sun worship. Seeing the movement of the sun from left to right creates the perception that anything associated with the right is always good. Thus, viewing lefties as the villains, the followers of Satan, who is said to be left-handed!

In fact, left-handed people have always carried negative vibes in the eyes of the word. The English word 'sinister', for example; originates from the Latin word 'sinistra', meaning 'left'. Not only that, many cultures around the world discourage the use of one's left hand, particularly at school, where writing with the left hand were seen as a defect that needs correcting. Usually the teacher would hit the student with a ruler if s/he was caught using his/her left hand.

As if trying to be 'corrected' isn't bad enough. they even give lefties names. Besides the usual 'lefties', there's also 'sinistrals' and also 'southpaws', which IMHO, actually sounds cool. Sounds so special forces commando-ish.

Regardless of all these, I still find this ridiculous. C'mon. Leave us alone. It's not like we'll eat you up. We're humans too, you know. Besides, we may be different, but we are always 'on the right mind'.