“If everyone would look for that uniqueness then we would have a very colorful world”.
Michael Schenker
Duangailung Bruno
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama
In today’s society where so much of pluralistic ideas and effort has been made it is unbelievable to see that we still suffer from the plague of differences in mind judging “our kind of people” which isolate people with unique qualities and personality. We are too early to judge people denying the very fact that people are meant to be different from each other but that does not make them different but it just makes them unique from us and others. The sooner people realize it, sooner there will be platform for stable and healthy society.
I rather be a realistic person who sees the differences in others but do not deny their rights to be understood for their uniqueness, for I have encountered people who in public platform declares that all are equal but on the other side fails to practice specially in their personal life, for he has already gained himself a public sympathy and good will. I believe all is not equal, or if so why there are rich and poor? Why there is healthy and sickly person? Why there are literate and illiterate people? The structure of our society is build in such a way that it is impossible to be equal in all prospective but on the other side there should be room for understanding ones ways and means which is difficult if our cups are filled to the brim. I rather be an empty glass than a filled cup with milk and honey, at least I have room for more.
We should have this basic understanding that it is unfair to generalize how a person should behave or speak for, if so where is the room for learning and the beauty of diversity in human qualities?
For people hardly admire the blue sky but rather look upon the uneven mountains and landscape, for a beauty is not defined in singularity. Living in a judgmental society it is difficult to differentiate well from unhealthy, for people have different perspective having a unique logical conclusion which sometimes creates confusion in our mind, so we should stop trying to please people but rather start understanding one. We have this common nausea that the mainland people in our country consider us an outsider and less privileged for I have a doubtful mind as to how true it is; for I have seen our own people denying them the very fact that they are also person living amongst us.
I don’t see much difference in us and them for I have encountered many who share the same ideas and dreams as us. I personally believe that it is not the religion or tribe or social status or colour that separates us but it is the failure to understand and accept the uniqueness of others, for as human beings we tend to dislike and hate things we don’t understand. And how do we understand each other? I believe we already have our answers. Who can deny the differences we see with our naked eyes? For it is there since the beginning, for it is meant to be; for us to learn from each other and all we need is a seed of understanding and little bit of space. Many say there are two sides of the coin but how many of us try or make an effort to look from the others perspective? It is a big question. If I want to be understood than I should understand first, then why judge people by the way they look, dress or by community to which they belong.
Why should parent judge ones own child just because they are different from others?
Fred Rogers says, “One of the most important gifts a parent can give a child is the gift of accepting that child’s uniqueness”. Why should a teacher judge a student depending on marks? Why can’t we accept the fact that intellect is just one of the many forms of intelligence? Why should a person judge a lady just because she had been in many relationships? Is it not wise of her to say no to the person who was not right for her?
I am surprised by the way people are too quick to make conclusion denying the very existence of uniqueness of one’s personality. We are really in need of role model who can show us in action filling the gap of differences and I personally believe that our parents are our biggest role model for children grow up looking at their parents and this practice should start from the very grass root level i.e. Family. We are also called to be role model for our fellow being and inspire people before we expire; contributing towards a healthy society.
Let’s be HUMAN first.
