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Don’t be afraid to be brave

July 16, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

Our childhood moments are the times when we first question things. But we are too innocent to understand the true import of the answers. Too young to feel the undercurrents. Too naive to really care about differences.

The issues we face in our day-to-day lives may seem like they emanate from elsewhere. But, truth be told, they often stem from our responses to the challenges. Because our responses are predicated on our earlier experiences. And they in turn are informed by emotions that arise from hazy memories of what we’ve been through.

Don’t be anyone else but you

July 16, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

Perhaps we should look for our identities in memories of our formative years. Before any external conditioning. Before we were even aware of the social fabric. Before we even knew what inequality meant.

The troubles really begin the minute we try to be what some else thinks we should be. The feeling within us is one of not fitting into the skin of that stereotype but still going along. This feeling then leads to behaviour that is unlike what we have exhibited so far. And that behaviour then leads to attitudes we don’t necessarily agree with subconsciously.

Recognising intersectionality

May 6, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

Intersectionality has been silently prevalent for ages, but it took a self-starter like Kimberlé Crenshaw to throw light on the subject. The complex and cumulative effect of different forms of discrimination – ageism, racism, sexism, classism, ableism – all at play at the same time is both a shocking reality and a shameful malaise. Combining, overlapping and intersecting, these make for highly unacceptable and truly unfair yardsticks.

If it is oppressive enough to be targeted for one difference – then being subject to bigotry for several must surely be untenable. We can only imagine the exponential mental and often physical trauma caused by wandering unknowingly into the cross-hairs of many prejudicial pre-conceptions.

Precluding social profiling

May 6, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

Profiling is a trending term when it comes to user data and information but what does it say about us when we use it in our everyday interactions? If we are not careful, what is big data could become small mindedness in quite another context. Just because you know someone doesn’t mean you understand someone – and we’d better be careful how we define the word targeting as we go about our lives.

It would be better if the facts that have been voluntarily provided be appreciated for the readiness with which they were shared. It would be only right to acknowledge the gesture as a handshake of trust – one that we must not abuse. It would be nice to train our minds to stop the innate process of constant verification and validation.

Checking unconscious bias

May 6, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

Unconscious bias is exactly that – without conscious knowledge, with no intent to be influenced by prior experiences and most certainly with no pre-fixed agendas. But it is the most human and most natural of reactions – based not on physical perceptions but on mental stimuli.

Since it is not out in the open and easy to spot, it is often swept under the carpet and never brought into conscious scrutiny. The time has come to address this in the only way possible. By going deeper into our own sub-strata and understanding why we believe and react in the way we do.

Encouraging true inclusion

May 6, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

Inclusion by definition implies that we, as a society, are going out of our way to bring someone into our fold. While it is an encouraging sign, it could also border on trying to align someone with a group. Being inclusive is a great trait. But being inclusive and allowing for individuality to co-exist is even better.

True inclusion is when differences are not just respected but eagerly embraced. It is when people are valued for who are they and not for their demographic profile. It is when dignity is maintained, basic needs are fulfilled – and the social fabric is enriched by the ready acceptance of newer additions, newer ideas.

Resisting social stereotyping

May 6, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

Social stereotyping happens when people assume a set of things about others because of their traits, affinities and associations. This can then segue into prejudice and then discrimination and before you know it reaches a level of gross unfairness. Age, gender, race are the obvious types, but the subtler and more unspoken ones can be equally dangerous to us as a society.

Rather than talk about why it shouldn’t exist (which it most certainly shouldn’t) we could focus on two positive approaches. One, shaping progressive thinking to ensure fewer instances of such unwarranted judgement. Two, looking inward to see how we can rise above it by recognising it for what it is.

Inner-gise

April 18, 2018 By Meera Sharath Chandra

There’s a world of opportunity out there. Agreed. But what it takes to tap into it, lies within us. Some of us wait for that loud knock on the door before we greet it. Others keep the door ajar and signal their intent. And a few, step out and meet it halfway, ahead of the curve. These are the self-starters who didn’t intend to make headlines. They intended to make their lives happen exactly as they had planned it.

While we are all the imbued with that immense potential, it helps to see how the self-starters can inspire us and propel us forward. While they ignited their passion by seizing the day, we could do the same but in our different ways. If we haven’t already. Even if we are happily on course, stopping to read about them never slows us down. It only adds that much more spring in our steps.

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