Thursday, April 12, 2012
Do you know why you are requested to raise your right hand when taking an oath?
In ancient times people born in slavery were branded on the palm of the right hand and were not entitled to the privilege of taking an oath. The right hand was raised to show the administering official whether or not the palm was branded. If not marked, the person was freeborn and eligible to take an oath.
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6 comments:
Great story. I’m a Black man who an ancestry of slavery and I never knew that the raising of the hand was synonymous with slavery. I can tell you know that I’ll think twice before I ever raise my right hand again, even if it’s in court. I’ll clearly express my discontent and if need be I’ll refuse to do so and file a complaint with the human rights commission as a violation of my right to equality and life liberty and security of the person. I don’t know if I’d have a case but I’d clearly make a strong point to bring awareness to the inequality that is still very prevalent in Canadian society.
Very good point -- a lot of the ceremonies in society have roots that are, frankly, pretty awful. We go on with them just because we have, for the most part, forgotten their roots.
A group of monkeys were placed in a cage with a ladder and a pile of bananas at the top. If any monkey tried to climb the ladder the whole group was hit with a fire hose. Eventually no monkey tried to climb the ladder.
A new monkey was added and when he tried to climb the ladder the other monkeys attacked him to prevent the hosing. As more monkeys were replaced eventually no monkeys were left who remembered why they didn't climb the ladder yet any that tried were immediately attacked.
And that is how traditions are created.
Rat, yup, james
Rat;
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