Dear Editor,
The recent massacre in Orlando, Florida has brought to the fore the dangers of hate and intolerance against those who are perceived to be different. This tendency to see and pass judgement against others through our own lenses is the root cause of delinquent behaviour which if left unchecked could result in more such incidents.
Hate, prejudice and ethnocentrism are all learned behaviour and can be corrected through the teaching of social tolerance and sensitive attitudes in the early stages of cognitive and intellectual development. Respect for cultural diversity and appreciation of differences be they ethnic, gender or biological must be emphasised at the levels of the home, the church and school.
The fact is that there is no superior race or culture in the same way as there is no inherent superiority between males and females. Our behaviour is largely conditioned by the interplay of societal influences and our biological make up.
Let us make an effort to inculcate in our children at an early age the need to respect and appreciate diversity in all its forms ‒ racial, cultural, religious, political and gender.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
