Blinded by Prejudice

Throughout our lives, we see things in our own perspectives. This can be caused by past experiences, religions, feelings, knowledge, influences by friends and even the latest news stories. The 'red' glasses may make you see red, but this is just one kind of viewpoint. By seeing only one colour, you will not be able to understand other people's views as they are radically different from yours. Only by having a bit of each colour will you be able to fully understand all points of view.

In life, many people do not understand the mindsets of other countries. That is why many Western nations have an idea of ‘honour’, where both sides are at an equal advantage, such as jousting, duels and the ten paces draw. They cannot understand how 'terrorists' can commit suicide attacks without giving the other side a 'fair' chance to retaliate. And even as one culture's perspective confuses another, another culture finally realises what the other is saying. Although they make each culture unique, different languages and cultural references divide the world, as outsiders to that culture have no idea what they are talking about and thus form stereotyped ideas which are not reliable.

We unconciously form stereotypes and presumptions about other people based on what we can see, without really getting to know them, and this is an example of how by relying on our feelings or what we know, we do not really get the right answer unless we see the world from their point of view. The common saying about walking in someone elses shoes applies here, as we do no know what they think about us. From the bible we are told 'Judge not lest ye be judged', and this sums up to the same point.

Should we try to keep the very things which make us unique, our perspectives and thoughts, which separate us from everybody else? Or should we all have the same perspective, and work like some sort of hive dwelling insect? That, indeed is the question.