I yam what I yam,
and that’s all I yam.
(Popeye the Sailor)
Human personality is a chiseled by a number of
factors. My genes, my ancestors’ lives,
adventures and misadventures, my parents’
background, education, professions – their
stories, the schools I went to, the teachers who
taught me, their hopes, aspirations, strengths,
weaknesses and quirks, the friends I have had,
and countless other aspects have made me what
I am. Unfortunately, none of it is quantifiable.
I do not know who to thank or to blame for my
being myself. But there are certain facets of
my personality that have remarkably influenced
the course of my life, namely:
1. Race
2. Ethnicity
3. Social class
4. Sexual Orientation
All the characteristics listed above have nothing
to do with my own choices, efforts or ambitions.
These were in a way, pre-ordained. I have had
to live with, and mostly benefited from these.
1. Race
In today’s world, being a Caucasian is
good. It may have been insignificant a few hundred
years ago, but not so today. The world stands
in awe of the white race, because of the accomplishments
of the western civilization. Some of those accomplishments
in their turn are due to our own hard work, and
others are advantages of natural resources, and
the geo-political position of the centers of the
western civilization.
In a multi-cultural society like ours, stereotypes
serve as the yardsticks to judge character, capabilities
and tendencies. Due to the fact that the whites
are in the greatest numbers, are more literate
and better-off, they are supposed to be the best
of the lot. There may even be evidence to the
contrary, let alone the bias reflected from this
way of thought, that is an opinion that has served
me time and again, in ways both obvious and otherwise.
2. Ethnicity
Coming from a Latin background has given a lot
of color and warmth to my personality. A love
for music, dance and poetry is an intrinsic part
of the Latin culture, and thankfully, I have inherited
it too. If you come from the background that I
come from, you tend to try to see life in a poetic
and romantic light. Although one can not say if
one particular perspective is better than any
other, mine is definitely more colorful than many
others.
3. Social Background
The middle-class is the part of the society that
lends it stability. The industry and the economy
of any country depend on its middle-class. I am
glad that I come from that particular segment
of the society which spins the wheels of the great
machine i.e. our country. Coming from a family
living a comfortable life has bestowed many advantages
upon me. Receiving a good education, knowing the
finer things in life, moving in the better circles
are only a few of the rewards of belonging to
a upper middle-class family.
4. Sexual Orientation
Homosexuality is tolerated, or accepted, at best.
Apart from the questions of morality, society
shuns deviation from the accepted norms. I am
glad that I am heterosexual, and do not have to
carry the excess baggage that comes with being
a homosexual.
To sum it up, I think I got a good deal when
genes, characteristics, traits, tendencies and
circumstances were being handed out. Of course,
one can always crib about one thing or another…
how things could have been a lot better. But then,
things could have been much worse too. I for one,
am thankful for the way the things are.
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