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.