Left Handed...But In the Right Mind

Did you know that Left-handed people suffered bias and discrimination? Some were subjected to ridiculous rules and laws. Others were persecuted and forced to convert to being right-handed.

Don't know what I'm talking about? Well today is Left-Hander's Day! The one day out of the year where Lefties rule :P

So let's talk about and celebrate the differences and hardships that left-handed people have been subjected to:

• Writing and other activities were thought to be predominantly done using the right hand. As recently as the 60's, teachers would use corporal punishment on a student for using their left hand instead of their right.
• Many products are more right-handed "user friendly" which means that a left-handed person is once more forced to adapt to their environment.
• Many left-handed people have been persecuted because in some cultures left means "weak" and in other religious sects right=God/good and left=Devil/evil.

I remember my own dad telling me that he writes with his right hand but does everything else with his left. He said that his teachers would slap his hand with a ruler if he tried to write using his left hand. Out on the playground, however, he would throw balls with his left. When he has to use tools, he uses his left.

I am ambidextrous. I can use either hand for any task. Yes, I am predominant in one hand over the other for certain functions but I can do them equally well no matter which hand I use.

Have you ever taken a look at all the everyday items that we use that are designed with the idea that it will be right-handed people using them? Next time you go for a ride check out which hand shifts the gears of the car you are in. What side of the road are you on? How many items around your own house, job, or school are designed with right-handed people in mind?

Here are a few quotes about "left" not being "right"

• “To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.”
  Herman Melville
• "Reason is our soul’s left hand, Faith her right.”
  John Donne
• “Jesus sits on the right hand of God.”
  Luke 22:69
• “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels"
  Matthew 25:41

Of course I had to include some positive quotes

• “The right half of the brain controls the left half of the body. This means that only left handed people are in their right mind.”
  Anonymous
• God made everyone right-handed, the truly gifted overcome it.
  Anonymous
• “All the decisive blows are struck left-handed.”
   Walter Benjamin, One Way Street And Other Writings

So it's still not a perfect world for lefties but things aren't as bad as they once were. We can always hope for change and uniformity over conformity.

Now then onto the fun stuff!

Because today IS Left-Hander's Day, KingsIsle and P101 have been nice enough to include a free item for your pirate! A left-handed­ hook! You can get your very own Captain's Hook right here.

This is a picture of my baby Privateer Surly Blaine Heath wearing his own Captain's Hook and showing off the stats:

Now here is to the pirate who has the most style and class despite wearing a hook-on his left hand:

"Here he is, the cunning king fish, the barracuda, a man so deep he's almost unfathomable, a man so quick he's even fast asleep. Now let's give him a very big hand-cause he's only got one. I give you the steel-handed stingray, Captain James Hook!"

P101 has also suggested that all Witchdoctors (and any other classes who purchased him) use their Lefty companions as their First Mate. At least for today. Here is my own Witchdoctor, Cruel Cordelia Voss, with her very own  Lefty companion.

 

In honor of the Pancho & Lefty quest here is a video of the song written by Townes Van Zandt and performed by Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard.

Have fun with your goodies!

Until we meet in the Skyways...

SorceressMiklai