Writing without Bias

Abstract

Enlightened persons look upon all human beings as their kith and kin. Liberal outlooks and good manners forbid them from harboring any preconceived idea about anybody on grounds of gender, race, religion, caste, community, age and disability (physical or mental). Yet some writers every now and then slyly hint at the presumed superiority of one group of people over another without any rational basis. They tend to judge others by their own cultural yardsticks. They are too insular to realize that anyone who may just be different from them in some ways are as important members of human society as any of their own kind.When bias exists in attitudes, it seeps through language. Language often turns out to be the cultural filter through which we construct what we consider as ‘normal.’ Our choice of words and expressions are often loaded with implicit prejudice. They betray our insensitivity to the feelings of others. If you are not mindful about weeding out hurtful expressions from your writing, your message will offend a large section of your readers.