Better_People

Discrimination: Making People Better The fear of the unknown causes people to inflict pain and hatred rather than try to understand. They discriminate or prejudge others on the basis of their ethnicity, race, sex or handicap. This treatment often results in victims being ostracized from society. It is assumed that such hardship can make people bitter and full of resentment. However, Georgina Kleege disproves this in her essay “Call It Blindness.” She shows that her personal struggle against discrimination has made her better, because it pushes her to open people’s narrow-minded views, break down societal stereotypes, and inspire those with similar challenges. As a handicap, there are extra struggles that Kleege must face while trying to broaden the narrow-mindedness of people in today’s society. When people have a handicap, they are seen as weak and inferior. The blind must try to escape the negative stereotypes that are often associated with them. Kleege acknowledges that people believe, “Blind means darkness, dependence, destitution, despair. Blind means the beggar in the subway station” (395). She tries to help others understand that her condition is not one of despair but one of hope, as “blindness does not in itself constitute helplessness. You will be as resourceful, capable, and intelligent as you ever were” (403). Kleege tries to make clear to others that her condition is not the end of her life, but the start of one with more difficulty. There are also stereotypes of uncleanliness and unawareness of those without vision, as well as an idea that the blind are less intelligent. Even though there are many who do fall into the stereotype, there are also individuals as Kleege who have had a disability and who have triumphed as “Homer, Milton, and Joyce, the sight-impaired literary luminaries” (392). To change the view of a majority is a great task but only would such a strong individual, who has gone through a struggle with blindness, be on the path to doing so. Stereotypical images give people justification to mistreat and harass people like Kleege. However, Kleege realizes that stereotypes and labels do not define her as a person. They are inaccurate descriptions that are at most a mere fraction of her being. Her constant recognition to others of her disability she feels is “an irrelevant fact they did not need to know about me, like my religion or political affiliation” (391). Just because a person is blind does not remove him/her from sadness, happiness, talent or dreams. Kleege exemplifies this perfectly by showing that she can live a normal life even with a handicap. By being a successful teacher, she alone has helped destroy the negative perception that disabled people cannot have careers. Even when students doubt her abilities as a teacher and dropped out of class, Kleege is unphased. She presses on, teaching those who are willing to learn from someone who has more to offer than a disability, so she can in part “dispel possible confusion or discomfort” (390). In addition, both Kleege and her husband have shown that it is possible to accept, respect and love each other without much regard to their differences. By refusing to accept the label that society has given her, Kleege is able to break down the stigma that is attached to the word blind. Not only has the negativity brought upon Kleege given her a new strength and outlook on life, but it has also given her a desire to make others like herself live by the same standards. Kleege understands that she is disabled, but she knows she is as capable and worthy as any other person. She attempts to help others adapt this sentiment as she tells those with the same challenges, “You can still think, remember, feel. See' It’s not so bad” (402). She wishes for the handicap not to live in despair but to “name the demon [blindness] you fear and insult it” (399). She does not adapt her life to her handicap but instead adapts her handicap to her life. Her hope is for others not to accept their disability as a way to obstruct the normal life that they deserve to live. In addition, she works with those that are not disabled to understand the struggle that she and others face. Her students especially gain an experience from her class as she can inspire them not to hate others for their disabilities. Kleege’s bravery and strength helps all, disabled and not disabled alike, to understand that no dream they have is out of reach no matter the obstacles that may be in their way. Throughout history, there have been many images of bravery and strength. However, there is none more admirable than the bravery and strength of people like Georgina Kleege. They continue to fight, even when their triumphs go unnoticed by most. As a result, their actions have had a larger impact on society than any famous hero. With their patience and perseverance, they have helped change and mold society’s negative view of the disabled into a positive one. Without people with perseverance like Kleege, members of today’s society would never try to open their eyes and learn to accept and respect those who are different. Work Cited Kleege, Georgina. "Call It Blindness." The Presence of Others. 3rd ed. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: Bedford, 2000. 389-407.