Discrimination Lives Within Everyone

           Discrimination is a negative manifestation of power in each and everyone of us. Whether intended or not, it's omnipresent grip on our beings has contributed to shaping who we are. The question begs, what is discrimination? Is it a natural instinct in similar vein to happiness, sadness and anger or is it an acquired one that's influenced by the environment we grow up in? As people, it is inbred in us to judge people by their physical appearances as well as their personalities. It comforts us to realize that we can pigeonhole people and that everyone belongs in a certain group or demographic. However, where do you draw the line between mere observational oddities and actively isolating people based on their differences?
             Discrimination is the epitome of a dormant disease or gene. In line with today's modern society, discrimination is a dirty word. We try our best to remain unbiased or non judgmental and instead, go all out to accept diversity in people. While this is a positive move towards a more understanding society, people will invariably discriminate against others who are different when push comes to shove. Discrimination starts as a single thought which slowly allows itself to fester in our minds. Whether we knowingly or unknowingly do it, we all discriminate regardless of our race, gender or age. As we grow into a person, this single thought is then fueled by adults' prejudicial opinions which then contribute to forming our mindset. This mindset is rigid in the sense that it restricts our thinking. We, as society come to accept that a person of colour will act in a certain way or a person who possesses less physical beauty is not competent enough. These preconceived notions cause us to discriminate against others who do not fit into the status quo.         
             Racial discrimination, gender discrimination and age discrimination are just some of the more popular forms of discrimination that exist but now there seems to be discrimination spreading to other areas as well such as weight, beauty and character. Each as different in it's terms but just as similar in it's essences. Stemming from social prejudices and misconceptions, it is a horrific magnification on how much our society has regressed. From young, we are taught to discern who we mix with and who we should avoid. From the first day of school, we see concerned parents whispering at their child's ear to stay away from the naughty or weird student. To the impressionable young minds of children, fat equals lazy and neat equals well behaved. While a person's appearance may speak a lot about the traits of a person, it is not a determinate factor. These children are taught to discriminate others even before they are old enough to form their own opinions and this carries on till they reach adulthood. Unfortunately, it then creates a vicious cycle of prejudice and discrimination that will be passed on from them to their descendants.
                  Take for example, the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's when racial discrimination was rampant and the blacks were treated as a lower class of society. They were made to serve as the help in the privileged homes of the affluent whites. Not only that, there were segregated buses and schools to further highlight the differences between the two races. Ultimately, the message that 60's America was trying to send   to it's citizens stank of the putrid smell of white supremacy. There was a common public assumption that because the blacks had a darker tone of skin colour, they were inferior to the white's abilities. While the blacks were generally on the downside of the economy, that did not render them mere thugs whom were not going to amount to anything. Since then, society has definitely experienced a significant change when America elected a black president in the form of Barack Obama. However, in the more white dominated parts such as Midwest, blacks are still generally being looked down upon. Ironically ,although one of the world's powerhouses have a black man as it's leader, racial discrimination is still rife among most of American society.
                   Let's speak of something closer to home. In Malaysia, most members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community are not given equal opportunities as those who may have "normal" sexual leanings. Although Malaysia may be a Muslim country, it does not just consist of Muslim citizens. Even then, a person's religious faith should not be judged by his/her sexual orientation. More than preventing them from deserving the same rights as everyone else, a non-government organization recently organized an anti-LGBT campaign in more than 20 schools in Selangor and Perak. This hate campaign only highlights the organizers as immature and narrow-minded. Is this the type of education we need spreading around our young students?  We should not teach them to discriminate against people who are different, instead they should be taught to embrace it. Only then, they will be molded into great leaders. If Malaysia can accept racial diversity, why can't they accept sexual diversity?
                   Ultimately, as creatures of emotion, we judge. We form opinions about other people and we assume that whatever society dictates must ring true. While prejudice and stereotyping is certainly unavoidable, it can be controlled before it spirals out of control as in the unfortunate case of Travyon Martin. Martin was just another innocent teenager walking home when he was shot because of one man's racial profiling. Although he had not done anything to prove himself guilty, the colour of the skin had became a gratuitous proof of his guilt. No two snowflakes are the same just as no two people are the same. Society has to stop expecting people to merely conform to their norms and instead allow freedom of expression. Learning to embrace each others differences and perhaps, celebrate it will hopefully banish discrimination from our lives once and for all.  

11-17/6

I foresee an extremely busy week ahead for me. First, there is an essay writing competition in Sunway University College that I signed up for in a moment of pure insanity. At first glance, I thought to myself "hey, this is right up my alley." Then, I found out that it's more of a factual essay and much less of creative writing required. Immediately, I knew that even being shortlisted was merely a pipe dream. Have I mentioned that my forte is not at factual essays? Not that I'm particularly brilliant at fictitious essays but I'm more in my element when writing a story. I can still muster up enough brain juices to write a mediocre opinion piece but an essay with real facts? I mean, my mum has mentioned that I excel at inventing bullshit but I can't exactly wax lyrical about haze or human trafficking for more than a paragraph. The next day, I've to help make sandwiches to sell during e-thon to raise funds for our nostalgia page. Do you know that some classes managed to find anonymous sponsors and are booking 5 pages? Even then, they still have enough leftover money to hold a class party. I think by the end of the year, our class party would have to be held at Syed Abu. It's not that I'm bemoaning our lack of funds. After all, we didn't actively search for sponsors as well. On the 7th of July, I'm also participating in the HELP Law Olympiad which should be fun since I have been a regular spectator in the courtroom since I was a fetus. My mum's a lawyer, not a convict unless she's been lying to me all these years. Well, if you know me well, you would probably be surprised as to why I am suddenly partaking in various competitions this year because I'm usually a bit of an introvert completely devoid of all school spirit. I've never really worn the whole 'eager beaver' label comfortably so what actually inspired me to join all the competitions I humanly can? Oh, did I mention I'm considering entering the HELP psychology challenge? Seriously, if I wasn't so inept at computers and suffer from perpetual stage fright, I probably would have signed up for the 'digital storytelling' thing as well. Anyway, I was filling up my scholarship applications the other day and everything was fine as I filled out the generic information part until I reached the 'Outstanding Achievements' section. As I sat there trying to think of a single outstanding achievement, I came up with nothing. Hence, came the niggling feelings of self-doubt which led to my need to join every single competition available. A farting competition? Heck, I would have been the first to sign up. That was how low I sunk, you could practically sense the desperation emanating from me a mile away. I was like a crack addict who had never smoked crack but bought cartons of it. You might scorn and mock my over-eagerness but it was a pressing concern for me. I'd never been part of a nationals-winning choir side (I quit the year before), I've never won a debate competition (I didn't even bother applying) and I am athletically challenged. How do you expect me to stack up to all the brilliant students with all the impressive resumes? It was disappointing, to say the least. But then, I started thinking about what it means to be "outstanding". Different people might have different notions about the definition of the word. Person A might think Marie Curie was one of the most influential people of all time while person B might be indifferent and say "Oh yeah, she discovered radiation. So?" I define my own "outstanding" and if I think winning a farting contest is outstanding then so be it. Who gives a damn about what the college administrators perceive as outstanding? Oh right, the applicants. Back to the drawing board...sigh.  

4-10/6

Why do other people's blogs seem so deep and insightful while mine's practically a gist of the first things that pop into my mind? Really, it's as if there is no filter between my thoughts and the things i type out. I should learn to put more thought into my postings. But then, only Pn M reads my blog and my friends occasionally drop by and comment just because they feel like it. Hence, i will continue writing in the same frivolous vein of my previous posts. If you are looking for a profound, inspirational blog that moves you to ponder and think about the meaning of the universe, there is a little 'x' on the corner of the tab just pleading for you to click on it. Believe me, you'll be doing yourself a favor. Alrighty, on to the second week of school holidays. I only went out once because I am an anti-social addict. Why go out and make the effort to fraternize when you can snuggle up in your blanket at home with a good book and a beer. Wait, did I say beer? I meant bear...damn those silly typo errors. Don't question why there is a bear, jut accept it as it is. After all, that is what the G-men are trying their darndest to promote, isn't it? Oh, I also got back my lit marks from the mock exam in my English Lit class. I think i did fairly well (highest in the class) but I don't mean to brag. Somehow, I seem to do better in my English Lit than the literature component in school. Don't you find that ironic? Maybe it's because I don't really connect with "Step by a Wicked Step". Oh well, life's full of incomprehensible ironies and sometimes we just have to roll with the punches. I watched "The Avengers" after hearing from everyone how awesome it was and that it would be a deadly sin if I missed it. Well folks, it was a GOOD movie but it wasn't GREAT. I mean, there were some pretty breathtaking action sequences and Joss Whedon almost never makes a bad movie per se but I thought it was a tad overrated. However, those are just my personal opinions so fanboys, don't burn me on a stake for it.

Till we meet again,
the not-so-deep thinker

28/5-3/6

Blogging is just like bathing, it's hard to return to the groove of things after neglecting to do it for a long time. Another one of my inanely ridiculous analogies. Yes, i compile a personal list of nonsensical analogies, so sue me. There's another one of my personal favourites but I think it's a little too x-rated to share on my family friendly blog. Oh lord, I sound exactly like one of those innocent little hypocrites from the censorship board. See what happens when I don't blog on a regular basis? I start to imagine that I possess qualities that don't even exist in the deepest recesses of my soul, such as moderation and consideration. So, first week of holidays. I went back to Ipoh and went on an insane binge of good food and humid, air conditioned lacking hawker stalls. I consumed so many bowls of curry noodles, devoured plates of chee cheong fun, practically ate all the steamed kampung chicken in Ipoh till I had to camp outside the toilet for 5 hours. I swear, I am not exaggerating to produce a more dramatic effect. I literally sat outside the toilet waiting for nature's call. Ok, on second thought, maybe I shouldn't share such grotesque details over here but hey, who doesn't enjoy a little bit of toilet humour? Hahahaha, do you get it? I made a pun? I should be commended for my pun. Uh,  the rest of my week was kinda banal as I spent it hibernating and watching videos of pandas. I don't have a particular liking for them but they do remind me of Michael Jackson. I don't particularly like MJ either but it doesn't matter. Final message: Go watch videos on pandas.

Signing off,
the toilet conquerer

21st-27th May

Alright, I've decided to use the dates of my journal postings as the title instead of racking my brain to think of a catchy and original headline. One, I suffer from a terminal illness called laziness. Secondly, I can barely keep track of all my postings and after neglecting my blog for the past month or so, I was forced to whip out the calendar and check how many entries I've missed. I hate calendars, don't ask my why, I just do. Anyway, according to a friend's blog, this week is supposed to be about exams so i guess that's my topic of the week. Most of the papers were moderate except biology but that's because I've no affinity for the subject. I'm terribly sorry, Pn Lim, but i just cannot relate to how a plant lives. I mean, if transpiration and algae bloom were part of my daily activities, perhaps i would have done better. Maybe i should emulate method actors and attempt to live like the plants do. You know, hang out by the sun, pollinate and make my own food. Just the average teenage plant. Although, my mum would be pleased because all she would have to pay for are my fertilizers but i digress. As usual, I did my own fair share of last minute studying and midnight cramming. These late night study sessions basically consist of an hour of proper studying and 3-4 hours of anxiety attacks and hyperventilation. Yes, really productive. Oh, I skipped school on friday because I thought I deserved some R&R after spending so many sleepless nights suffering from mini panic attacks. I swear, I had such a torrid time that I even had heartburn or it could have been the 10 course meal I had the previous day. As I laid on my unmade bed clutching my chest as if my heart was on fire, I had an epiphany; I thought, "This is such a disgraceful way to die. I imagined some elaborate death scene with my family and friends crying over my Chanel-clad body, not while I'm in my ratty pink teddy pajamas with unruly hair and bad breath." Thus, i decided that with my newfound appreciation of the natural life and an overwhelming sense of my own mortality, I was going to enjoy what was left of my brief life and close the textbooks. I should get heartburns more often...