Many people including left-handers seem unaware that there is an occasion named International Lefthanders Day on August 13. On this very day in 1976, a British organization called Lefthanders International designated this day for the left-handed to raise awareness of the inconveniences and problems of lefties.
Born as a natural right-hander like most humans, I am unable to comprehend the difficulties facing left-handers. Nevertheless, I always tell myself that I am just lucky to be born this way and should not discriminate those who write with their left hands.
It is estimated that less than ten percent of the world's population are left-handed. Generation after generation, this group of people have been disadvantaged and discriminated for centuries in this predominantly right-handed world. The Latin word for "left" is sinister while Russian translates as sneaky.
I once read that in the past, left-handed children were forced to use chopsticks with their right hand by their parents as that was supposedly the "norm" and looked more pleasant. Until today, things like clothes, kitchen items and even the keyboard are still designed with only right-handers in mind.
Anyway, some of the most famous people in the world happened to be left-handers. They include Beethoven, Einstein, Winston Churchill, a whole lot of American presidents and our dear Lee Hsien Loong. It has been said that lefties tend to be more intelligent but studies have found both groups to be on par after all.
Luckily, discrimination has been lessened in modern times. With more and more left-handed products being manufactured, lefties need not feel isolated in a world dominated by the right-handed.
Lefties deserve rights. Using your left hand is perfectly right.
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