Bits & Pieces: Left-handedness

by Paula Johnson

Some of my favorite people are left-handed. In fact, I have been known to be envious of friends and family who write left-handedly. I wasn’t given a name that could be made into a nickname, so I even envied that lefthanded people were sometimes referred to as “southpaws.” Maybe it was meant as an insult, but I found it cute.

Being lefthanded is quite rare in this righthanded world. We righthanded people take so much for granted. I have seen friends struggle with regular scissors. Having a pair of scissors for the left hand is a treat that most of us can’t imagine.

As a teacher, watching students wrestle with items for projects that didn’t enter my mind as a challenge was an awakening of the differences that create blocks in learning.

Even though learning may be difficult in the early years, it is shown that later on in life the differences aren’t as predominate. Some of the world’s most outstanding personalities are or were lefthanded.

One of the world’s most well-known men who established a free India with non-violence, Mahatma Ghandi, was lefthanded. There, also, was a favorite American who made dreams come true, Walt Disney. 

Someone who has been admired the world over for his intelligence was considered lefthanded by many. Albert Einstein who is considered a pillar of modern physics and most known for his theory of relativity did his scientific work lefthanded in a right-handed world.

Being left-handed has been looked upon with special affection in some societies. In the Inca Empire, those who were lefthanded were thought to have special healing powers as well as magical abilities. Further north, Eskimos believed that left-handedness was an indication of sorcery or black magic. In the Zuni tribe, being lefthanded was thought to bring good luck.

As with many differences that are not easily explained, left-handedness can bring ridicule and unkindness.

There are even phrases commonly used which follow that thought. For example, a left-handed compliment is considered an insult and a left-handed marriage is an adulterous liaison.

Oh Poo!

So many wonderful lefthanded people in our history brought us inventions and improved life. Aside from those already mentioned above, consider: Benjamin Franklin, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Charlie Chaplin and past presidents including Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan, GHW Bush, William Clinton and Barack Obama.

Other special handednesses are those who either can use either hand (ambidextrous) or due to injury to the right hand had to switch to using the non-predominant hand. James Garfield, our 20th president, could write Greek with his left hand and Latin with his right. Thomas Jefferson wrote with his right until breaking his right wrist which required him to use his left.

Left-handedness is also considered an advantage in sports. Some sports, such as fencing and boxing, consider being lefthanded as an edge over righthanded athletes.

Looking at some lefthanded star athletes should give hope to young lefthanded players. Baseball certainly had its stars: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Casey Stengel, Sandy Koufax and Whitey Ford to name a few.

Famous lefthanded players existed in football, soccer and more: Gayle Sayers, Tim Tebow, Pele, Wayne Gretzky, Larry Bird and John McEnroe

We also have talented artists in many fields who brought us music, paintings, and improved life – Leonardo DaVinci, Mozart, Bill Gates, Dan Aykroyd, Morgan Freeman, Nikola Tesla, Queen Victoria, David Bowie, Paul McCartney and more.

Talent and innovation come from many walks of life and all people. As it was said about Fred Astaire being such a fabulous dancing talent, “Yes, but Ginger Rogers did it backwards and in high heels.” 

Be glad for differences and what they bring to our lives. Vive la différence!