Chance

I'd like to think we live in a modern world. We frown upon archaic notions that women should stay inside the kitchen and not be seen or heard outside. We welcome innovative ideas and encourage youngsters to be creative and think out-of-the-box. We also celebrate success stories of how a certain person has overcome poverty and corruption and rose to fame and stardom.

But then again, no matter how long the journey to modernization has been, I realize there are still remnants of discrimination that exist in society today.

I find it is extremely disconcerting that for once, I am the object of someone else's dislike, just because of unusual circumstances, some of which are not completely within my control and influence. There is just something fundamentally wrong about objecting to somebody just because he happens to be born of darker color than you, or maybe she just happens to have come out from a failed marriage due to extraordinary circumstances.

Should one allow himself be boxed into the limited world that he has experienced so far? Should people be judged at all? What should be the standard for judging if one is worthy or not? It's as if all prior good deeds and accomplishments you have had so far amount to nothing. Just with a look - you feel this small.

How does one react to such attitude? How does one defend himself from stereotypes? Can you actually teach old dogs new tricks? Or should we just accept that discrimination is a fact of life and hence, can never escape it?

Logically, there are several ways to respond to this. You can just grin and bear it, despite feeling your heart break into tiny pieces inside. Rely on your good ol' humor to see you through the day. You can always shrug your shoulders and convince yourself that "heck, you can't expect to please everyone." You can also choose to resent the individuals for their narrow-minded thinking. All these are possible reactions, but none of them actually solve the root cause of the problem. It still doesn't remove the barrier and somehow will the other person to tolerate you, despite the fact that you would do anything humanly possible to convince her that you're a nice person.

At the end of the day, all one wants is a chance... a chance to prove that despite everything, you are a wonderful and interesting person who deserves a second shot at Cupid's Arrow. A chance to let them see the 'real' you behind the skin color or the status. A chance to show that the world is bigger than what we currently know and see, and that the unknown might bring greater happiness than we could possibly imagine. And if, after given that fair chance, you still have objections, then I would be the first to walk away from the relationship graciously, without any ill feelings.

That is all one could hope for. It is what I only wish for -- just a simple chance.