Whether you believe being left-handed is something you are born with or something you choose, most "south-pawed" individuals will admit that it is not the easiest thing to live with. From smearing ink when you write to bumping elbows with others at the table to needing a special baseball glove, sometimes being left-handed can feel like a real disadvantage. In fact, according to an article by DailyInfographic.com, left-handed people have "an average lifespan that is nine years fewer than that of righties."
In the year 2016, isn't it about time that we start recognizing this tragic disability that affects 15% of the population? In an article by MouthWire, it seems the time has finally come. The article states that "As of February 1, 2016, people suffering from severe cases of left-handedness may be eligible to receive social security benefits." However, the passing of the Justice for Dexterously Challenged Act is not for just any lefty. The article later states that only people who suffer from "Extreme Left-Handed Disorder" (ELHD) will be able to apply.
Since the publication of the Mouthwire article, people who identify as lefties and even some righties have been in a tizzy. Now that February is among us, people are wondering if they qualify for this disability. Some left-handed individuals are curious as to what this will mean for them. Will they get to park in handicapped spots? Will they get to go to college at a discounted rate? However, more than anything, people are wondering if this is even real. Did President Obama, a lefty himself, really sign off on this bill? The answer to all of these questions and more is a resounding no.
That is right. The Justice for Dexterously Challenged Act is fake, and Extreme Left-Handed Disorder is not a real disability. A quick Google search will lead you to an article on Snopes that assures readers that the MouthWire piece is intended to be strictly satirical. However, while the disclaimer of Mouthwire states that the website "is intended for a mature, sophisticated and discerning audience," it should be noted that nothing in this article is written in a way that hints towards satire. Readers of the highly circulated article missed the joke and took this article as fact.
This misunderstanding may have been trivial, but situations of poor communication and misconceptions in the media are very common in the era of the high-speed internet. The lesson to be learned here is, of course, to not trust everything you read on the internet. Even outside of the classroom, facts and sources should always be checked. The other lesson here is: satire is difficult to write, and it should be left to the professionals.
