Long before I knew what the word discrimination meant, I knew what it felt like to be discriminated against. Briefly noted, I like to think I am unique being a quadruple minority and all. I'm black woman with a disability that's left handed. Now that I’ve cleared that up, I'm going to discuss what I've ascertained.
Life Is NOT Fair...
You never realize you're "different" until you leave your house. At home I lived with a lefty (my brother is too.) We never bumped elbows (nothing more annoying than that). No big deal right? Until I started Preschool. I wasn’t allow extra time to figure out how to get my brain to switch to it’s left side. I had to figure this out quickly or faced falling behind. To this day I learn by focusing on visual cues. I learn by rhyming and making songs in my head. I had to write things repeatedly to get things down pat. I don’t think this is a bad thing, it’s only a problem when assumptions are made that everyone understands you. I knew how to follow directions so during assembly, when the teacher said put your hands on your heart, it would be my left hand on my heart. As funny as it looked to right handed folks, it made total sense to me. A lesson in assumption learned early I suppose. When I got into high school it was those single desk. They were all made for right handed people and believe it or not, its uncomfortable, you have zero elbow support which makes writing a bit more exhausting. I know folks could give two shits and I’m good with that. Still don’t make it fair though.
Sometime you're gonna have to work 2x as harder just to keep up...
I wonder if I grew up today with all the key pads available, would I have had the same issues when it comes to me “meeting my own standards”. I’ve been described as lazy since I was a kid. I didn’t care because I knew I was smart. I was so smart that I knew early “people do what’s important”. I guess though, it’s safe to assume, most lazy people are smart people. I say this because I knew since preschool in order for me to get it right (my standards), I would have to work two sometimes three times as hard just to get it. A left handed child really needs a patient and persistent parent that will drill you over and over again. (Some thing it seems a lot of kids are lacking today- Period. ) Penmanship was extremely important to me when I was learning to write and it was not easy. Most reports were hand written when I was coming up. Today its totally different. Some times we are our toughest critic. I compared my penmanship to my classmates and in hindsight I understand how it kept me distracted. I was a daydreamer. Once I allowed myself to concentrate on the lesson, I was engaged and my comprehension was on point. I daydream when I'm not engaged. If I'm at a boring meeting, I'll take notes- it helps keep me focused. Although a good daydreaming session is cool every now and again *wink*. I’m usually intellectually evaluating something important to me.
Make alliances with SMART people you trust...
I had to learn to make friends with smart motivating people. These type of people have been in my 'circle' for as long as I can remember. They were supportive and generous in some way (and often right handed too). They also foster healthy competition. I appreciate all the good right handed people whom I had mutual admiration for. I admired your perfect penmanship and I thank you for not being annoyed when we bumped elbows.
Enjoy the genius in you!
Being left handed is great in its own way. You become part of a silent kinship. You and only one out ten people write with their left hand. Some people are ambidextrous but I'm not. (Of course I've tried and it feels crazy weird.) I'm cool with being an absolute lefty in the right state of mind. Makes me that much more cooler.
Thank you. :)
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