About 10% of the population is left-handed. Throughout history, this difference caused the right-handed majority to view left handed people with suspicion and discriminate against them. Till date, there is a callous disregard for left handed people; the whole world is designed chiefly by and for right-handed people. Now, however, there is greater understanding and sensitivity towards the 10% - we even have a dedicated day! 13 August was left-handers day and here’s what the tweeple said about it:
They do comprise one tenth of the population, after all.
The whole system of writing is devised by and for right handed people. If you have ever seen the way a left handed person holds a pen to write; you would know that being left handed can be a daily struggle.
Left handed people may not be troubled and forced to behave in a way that comes unnaturally to them anymore. However, using scissors, a can opener, and spiral-bound books are still difficult.
Bumping elbows at the table, noticing other left handers --- these are some of the shared experiences of the left handed person.
Not only were left handed people persecuted in less enlightened times, even today, we find parents forcing left-handed children to use their right hands against their natural inclination.
Where earlier left handed people felt excluded, we now celebrate them; many left handed people being exceptionally gifted or talented in athletic, creative and other fields.
Being left handed is kind of cool now – there are a lot of very cool left handed people out there, after all.
Some note that left handed people tend to be more creative and gifted than the general populace.
….Celebrated now.
Designed for the majority right handed people, the world can be a frustrating place for left handed people.
13 August is a day when right handed people can make themselves aware of the seemingly small but persistent struggles of those we affectionately refer to as southpaws.
Seen sketching with his left hand in this video, fans recalled Stan Lee on this day.
13 August is a day for left-handed people to remember that they may be wired a bit different than the rest of humanity but that just makes them no less awesome!
Surely things should be designed in a way that doesn’t frustrate and/or exclude one tenth of the population?
13 August or left handers’ day may be just the day to reflect on this – by us, the right-handed majority.
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