Weapon of choice

Stereotypes are a weapon.

We are at ease when using it on others; from the dark skinned terrorist, to the nerdy Asian, to the sleazy Aussie. They are a fire and forget weapon, ingrained in our thoughts. They are a top secret weapon; many of us don’t even know we have it.

And yet, while not much thought is given when firing on others, the converse is true when in we ourselves are in the firing line. On the receiving end it unleashes from us a disproportionate anger, a sense of injustice and disgust. Where was my ‘fair go’ you might ask. But this is a dirty war, there is no fair. We have sown the wind, and we shall reap the whirlwind.

But in reality, just as we fire with disguise, we too are inflicted with subtlety. You may not realise, but even before the shake of a hand, your personality has been assassinated, your character locked and your integrity on death row.