‘Us and them’

Dharmendra Kumar, Suva

When I was a child, my family had friends from different religions and cultures. I don’t remember my father speaking disrespectfully of anyone. This is most likely why I don’t have an “us and them” attitude.

My children also have friends of different races, religions and cultures. One day as I arrived home, two little girls walked by and asked me if I had a cat. Since my cat was sitting on the windowsill, it was pretty clear that I had a cat. I said, “Yes,” and they told me I had to be careful because a certain ethnic group were killing cats and eating them. These children were also aware that my next door neighbours were from a particular country. I told them that they were mistaken and that my neighbours were very nice people. These children were only seven or eight years old.

Prejudice; a preconceived opinion, where did they learn it from? Most likely they heard it at home from their parents. We can be part of the solution by not encouraging prejudice at home or among our friends. I believe prejudice is a learned trait.