Misconceptions: The World We Live In

Preconcieved Notions and Prejudices

However, in the world we live in, there are a lot of preconceived notions and prejudices. I am both a believer and a victim of such misconceptions. I often wonder, what determines our identity? The place we grow up in? The social circle we are in? The kind of books we read? Or the religion and caste we are born into? I guess all this does play a part in shaping who we are, what our beliefs are and how we celebrate life. Our notions of good and bad, beauty and vileness are defined by the society we live in and the experiences we incur.

What shapes our belief ?

It's interesting how even within India, the same holiday is celebrated by different names and in different ways in different regions. For example the main day of Diwali, commonly known as Laxmi Puja, is celebrated as Dev Diwali among Jains, Sukhsuptika among Kashmiri Pandits, Badhausar in Gujarat, Balindra Pooja in many parts of South India and Diyari among Sindhis. Such regional variations, different customs and traditions shape our own beliefs and identity.

Another factor that has shaped my identity is the small town I grew up in where everyone knows everyone, and people have time for each other. Small towns are very different from fast-paced metropolitan cities like Delhi and hence upbringing and consequent personality development differs Another major identity determinant and stereotyping tool is gender. Gender is just a social construction a way by which the powerful portray women as inferior. It's paradoxical that on one hand, the world was experiencing enlightenment but on the other progressive women were burnt in witch hunts or forced to stay locked up in their houses

Problem is not unique

The problem of misconceptions and stereotyping not unique to any place, time or group. Look around, it exists everywhere inside of everyone. Unfortunately, the problems of casteism, honor killings etc are all because of such misconceptions and stereotyping. It all began way back in 3^rd century BC when Manu wrote Manusmriti and defined specific roles for all castes and both genders. How honorable is honor killing? How necessary is caste census? And when will India come out of the clutches of this orthodox system? And when will we be accepted for what we are and not judged by irrational parameters and stereotypes?