Springs of Dawn

DISCRIMINATION

D

iscrimination is a very friendly horse that has been ridden by everybody both young and old at one time or the other. It is the reason he was elected Chairman of our Association though he is less educated and generally less qualified by all standards than his opponent. One look at the short bald headed man in a rumpled suit and the voters made up their minds that they would rather have the tall dignified-looking man on the seat of power for the next two years though we knew he had nothing to offer. The reason is not farfetched. Everybody is searching for perfection in our everlastingly imperfect world. Looks can be deceptive and appearance is not always reality but humans always seem to prefer ideal over reality.

At the interview in my office last week, a heated debate ensued between two colleagues over which of two short-listed candidates to be given the appointment. One candidate had a Masters’ degree from University of Leeds in UK while the other had a First class Honours as a first degree from a Nigerian university. At the oral interview both performed laudably but we were more impressed with the performance of the confidence exuding first degree holder. After watching the white collar men wrangle like two children arguing over whose dress is more beautiful, I decided it was time to put an end to it with a simple solution. I suggested that each should put forth one of their strong reasons. In favour of the Fist degree holder, he was a male and as such less likely to ask for a ‘leave’ any time soon. He chuckled as he said this. He didn’t seem to mind that a woman was in charge of the decision making process. On the other hand, the female candidate was beautiful and armed with such an impressive foreign degree, would be an indispensable asset to our company. After a few seconds of silence, I made a decision and the position was given to my beautiful cousin. 

What about the fashion show that witnessed the most exotic looks of the year? Blemished skins were skilfully polished till they gleamed like that of a new born baby. Flabby waist lines were painfully tucked into smaller hose-like under wears with little room for respiration until a size 14 went four sizes lower. The plastic smile was then captured by eager pressmen and admired by unsuspecting fans. Unknown to them, behind the smile was a suppressed bout of panic attack but this was lost on on-lookers as they mentally devised new beauty regimens to attain the desired look. The attentions of the photographers were drawn to a modest looking apparel accentuating the hour glass figure of a beautiful ‘no name’. A few glances came her way by the clicking cameras but after seconds of trying to attach a name to the exquisite face they redirected their attentions to capture a popular actress that had just entered the hall. 

Yes this common horse has been ridden by all, even the best Samaritans among us. A few seconds of conscience pangs are often quickly replaced by justifications. 

Discrimination is no longer exclusive to the white vs. black tussles or the ethnic cleansing brutality that pervades Africa. It is in our offices, our social gatherings our homes and our selves. We are all guilty of it one way or another. 

his own view

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it. In his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. 

In his surprise he quickly asked the nurse as soon as she returned. "Oh, but he was blind" she replied.

culled from http://academictips.org/blogs/moral-tale-hospital-window 

This inspired me to see more than the ordinary especially when life feels so bleak and gloomy. Paint the picture of the life you want.

Be inspired!