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LEFT-HANDEDNESS IN 21ST CENTURY - A CONCEALED PRIDE

Feature Article LEFT-HANDEDNESS IN 21ST CENTURY - A CONCEALED PRIDE
DEC 16, 2014 LISTEN

It is worth mentioning that one group of people who have suffered millennia of prejudice is the left-handers. Across the globe, it is understood that measures, mostly brutal, have been employed to supress such a situation which is deemed unfit and goes in conflict to set norms. Well, such decisions were tolerable centuries ago due to the lack of scientific analysis coupled with the churning of outrageous dogma which has been popularised by religious, societal and cultural bigotry. But in 21st century, I am much enthused by how far people can go to correct a disease they do not even know the causative formula. I am not writing to question the positions of organised religions and societies' quest to regulate lifestyles for the betterment of the society at large. But it is wholly absurd to try to coerce people who are left handed to change to the other hand. To exacerbate the situation, many societies and religions ascribe the right hand to good and the left to evil thus leaving no room for tolerance for left-handers. My motive is to at least give some insight to my readers why one in every ten people is left handed. I hope by the end of my write-up I will be able to if not at all reduce the level of bigotry among people when it comes to issues with handedness but also apprise my readers on the discomfort lefties (as they mockingly hailed) face in this world.

It is very evident that left handers pass through numerous problems making life unbearable. From the classrooms where desks are designed for the right handed to the computer mouse, scissors, watches, cars and most common tools left handers are faced with discrimination. Thus they are forced to adapt to the situation so as to fit into the society. These they do to enormous physical and psychological disadvantage. Science through series of researches have explicated reasons based on genetics why some people are born so thus debunking the notion that it is an acquired trait which must be suppressed. It is understood that through the formation of the brain of a foetus, certain natural processes takes place to determine the handedness of a child. Thus a child cannot be faulted if he or she is left-handed.

It is really inspiring that in the West, cold attitude towards left-handedness has been reduced drastically. Such a decision which was taken several years ago has propelled left-handers to dominate the political, social, entertainment and scientific spheres of life. In the United States four of the recent six presidents are all left-handers; Obama, Clinton, Bush Snr and Gerald Ford. British and Israeli Prime Ministers, David Cameron and Benjamin Nyatenahu are both lefties. The world's richest man Bill Gates is not left out whiles not forgetting the numerous winners of the Nobel Prize. Renowned scientists like Isaac Newton and Einstein also have their names on the list. This proves the assertion that left-handers are on the average a better option for creativity and logical reasoning compared to their counterparts on the right side. Moreover since left-handers are forced to adapt basic tools meant for the right hand, it inculcates some level of ambidexterity in them. Thus a lefty can use both hands quite well.

One's handedness should not be determined by religious, societal or political factors but left solely to the monopoly of natural phenomena. I think if Ghanaians and Africa in general emulate such a stance and rather harness the potentials of such people, we will be a better people. Giving birth to a left-handed child or being one itself should not be a cradle for trepidation but a motivation to aspire to greater heights as major breakthroughs in the world were spearheaded by them.

Kwadjo Dankwa Boakye

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