No, My Family Didn’t Burn Me at the Stake

I hate the term ‘Third World’ because there’s only one world.

When we categorise countries into ranked ‘worlds,’ we reinforce the idea that some nations are inherently superior to others. The phrase ‘First World’ is loaded with connotations of success and modernity. On the other hand, ‘Third World’ seems synonymous with deficiency and failure. Between coming first and coming third, I believe we would all rather come first. This language perpetuates the harmful notion that some regions are less than others.

There’s no denying that economic development and social welfare vary dramatically from country to country. Still, these disparities should not be used to label entire nations as less functioning. That’s a gross simplification that, by extension, also portrays their citizens as less capable. 

Individuals with heritage from countries labelled as ‘Third World’ are frequently subjected to assumptions about their backgrounds and family values, particularly regarding tolerance and modernity. Such generalisations oversimplify complex cultural realities. Comments I regularly face include:

“Does your mother wear a hijab?” — no, but not sure why that matters.

“Where are you actually from?” — The Shire.

When telling my own coming-out story, people expect my family to have reacted with intolerance and conflict, especially because of their roots in a predominantly Muslim country. I try to make light of it, like we all do when we have to talk about deeply personal life events on a random Friday night out. 

“No, my family did not burn me at the stake.” 

The expectation that my family’s reaction would be anything of the sort is rooted in prejudice.

It is true that the reality for many marginalised groups, such as women or LGBTQ+ people, remains deeply troubling. Legal and social persecution continues to be a harsh reality in many regions. That doesn’t mean those attitudes apply to everyone who lives in or comes from these regions. 

The media shapes our perceptions of the world beyond Western borders. Coverage often fixates on images of poverty, crisis, and conflict. While these challenges are real, they do not tell the whole story. People in ‘Third-World’ countries are just as capable and willing as people in the ‘First World.’ These countries are home to resilience, innovation, and countless stories of individual and collective success. Prejudice is inherently human, but it can be countered by seeking nuance. This is why it matters to separate political circumstances from individuals.

It’s also a mistake to assume that people from the ‘Third World’ lack an affinity for values like liberty and equality. These are not exclusively ‘Western values.’ They are universal values. History shows that human rights principles have deep roots in many cultures. For instance, the ancient Persian kingdom under Cyrus the Great created what is considered the first human rights charter, centuries before any region in Europe adopted one. 4,000 years ago, Babylonian legislative bodies, through the Code of Hammurabi, regulated the oppression of weaker social groups. Confucian philosophers in China have, starting as early as the sixth century BC, advocated for the rights of common people. There are many examples, but they are often absent from the history books of ‘First-World’ classrooms. 

We should challenge the prejudices that exist toward the ‘Third World.’ I suggest we start by removing reductive terms like ‘Third World!’ Recognising the shared humanity, capacities, and aspirations of all people is essential for building a world where we understand each other better.

Illustration by Alice O'sullivan