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In extensively covered cases like that of Amanda Knox, we become so involved with our prejudices that we don't wait for the verdict, rather give our own. Our minds are already made up and even if the verdict given by the authorities goes against our belief system we remain dubious.
As the Amanda Knox trial came to an end, I realized, how very judgemental we are as human beings. Our judgements continue as we form opinions on race, colour, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, politics even lifestyle choices.

Unfortunately, our judgements do not stop with Knox. We judge the Italian law system, Italians, whether any foreigners are trustworthy and eventually we become so judgemental and so fearful that we are terrified of everything and everyone.

We feel that all countries and places outside the United States are unsafe. We declare others barbarians or backwards because they aren't "American', at the same time, refraining from educating ourselves about the 'outsiders'. But what does that make us? Ignorant? We become the stereotypical 'American'. Paranoia takes charge of our sensibilities and we become the epitome of an American: terrified of the world.

With all the media influences we are only partly to blame. Cable news networks constantly bombard us with opinions and judgements thinly veiled as news.
Nancy Grace went out of her way to crucify Amanda Knox after her acquittal. Of course I am judging Nancy Grace on her terrible judgement skills. Knox may or may not be guilty but isn’t that the job of the court of law to figure out, not a talking figure head on a bad television network (here I go again). It's ridiculous that she can be a contestant on 'Dancing with the Stars' and be taken seriously as a social commentator.

On a basic level, we are all sanctimonious. We pass judgements and become judge, jury and executioner. The question then arises, why? Why do we need to evaluate and estimate others? Is it because we feel insecure within ourselves and are afraid of being judged by others?

When we judge others we feel a sense of superiority and self worth that we are better than that particular person. Our ego comes in the way of being accepting, open minded, and creates fear of the possibility of being wronged or challenged. Perhaps, it's the fear of change or the lack of faith within ourselves, our emotions, values, and beliefs that we feel threatened so easily. We feel the need to be self righteous and condemnatory towards others.

It is far easy to question others rather than understand why our lifestyle choices are better for us. Rather than figuring out why our religion, values or belief system is better, we focus on why "theirs" is not. Instead of proving to ourselves that we are right, we try to prove them wrong. Our perspectives are often parochial and preconceived. We lose sense and let pride take over our mind.

Someone once said, "Judgmental is not stating an opinion or even labelling something as "good" or "bad". Being judgmental is when based on one quality of someone or something you conclude about his whole nature, about all his other qualities. You judge his wholeness based on one aspect."

Possibly, maybe perfection doesn't exist. If it did, being God's creations we would be it. It's been said, "To err is human", and as long as we exist we will judge and be judged. What we can try is to not "err" as much in the process of life.

Jawaria Ansari