There are many categories of people we shouldn't judge but that face judgment all too often. I personally feel that our world is too full of judgment and not filled enough with understanding or the willingness to hear others' stories. Here are a few categories of people we shouldn't judge, especially if we've never walked in their shoes.
One of the categories of people we shouldn't judge are divorcees. I have heard many people criticize those who get divorced as ruining the sanctity of marriage and family; however, people divorce for many reasons. Oftentimes divorce is a healthier alternative than is remaining in a turbulent, manipulative, or abusive relationship. Don't be so quick to judge someone who has been through a divorce!
Many people are quick to judge suicide victims as weak and selfish, but this is rarely the case. Many suicide victims suffer from severe depression and see themselves more as a burden to their loved ones than a blessing, and feel that by disappearing they are doing others a favor. They may also not seek help for their suicidal thoughts for many reasons including being seen as weak, not knowing what help exists or how to seek it, etc. Suicide is a terribly tragedy, (and should not be seen as an option because there is always help!), but if you do know of someone who committed suicide, do not be so quick to judge them.
Did you know that between 60-70% of sex workers and prostitutes were sexually abused as children? Most actually try to escape their work but fail at doing so for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, threats, violence, etc. In addition to this, Dr. Robert Brannon from the National Organization for Men Against Sexism reports that roughly 89% of prostitutes would like to escape their work immediately. So don't judge; you don't know her story.
Source: nomas.org
Many people judge feminists as "man-haters" and as a threat to society. But this is, in fact, NOT what feminism stands for. Most feminists believe in the equality of the sexes for the good of society. So don't be so quick to judge a feminist!
Have you ever heard others look at drug addicts and say, "Why can't they just quit?" Unfortunately, many of them do try to "just quit" at some point during their addiction but don't have the tools or resources to remain drug-free. Blaming them and judging them for their problem won't make it go away.
Many people judge the homeless as being lazy for not getting a job and supporting themselves, however, much of the time this is not the case. Many of the homeless have psychological disabilities that make it harder for them to get and hold a steady job. In addition to this, I used to visit soup kitchens and found the several of the homeless there even held college degrees! So don't be so quick to judge the homeless; chances are you could never guess their stories.
It pains me to even put this one on the list. But how many times have you heard, "She was asking for it the way she was dressed," "She shouldn't have put herself in that situation," or even, "She's lying about being raped." Victim-blaming in rape situations has almost become the norm in our society. You never truly know what happened in a situation, but no matter what poor situation a person may have been in, it NEVER gives another person the right to her body, and judging her for being raped is almost as denigrating as the act itself.
So many people are judged unfairly. Have you ever felt that you were judged unfairly? Or that if only people knew your whole story that they might see you in a different light?