To be you ... is to be unique.
How often have you been so politely told
It’s not because you’re experienced or old
No, they say, it’s not about your age
Sadly, there’s no vacancy at this stage
The job’s too small, so is the pay
You’re worth so much more, any day
No, they say, it’s not about your age
They’d hate to hire you at a lesser wage
You can feel it, when people passing by
Look that look, with that judging eye
No, they say, it’s not about your race
Just admiring the curls framing your face
On the tube, while the crowd multiplied
The seat next to you remains unoccupied
No, they say, it’s not about your race
We couldn’t even see that empty place
[Read more…] about Your coloured skin v their coloured vision
They won’t pull up a chair, chill or hang
You’re so different from the office gang
No they say, it’s not because you’re gay
Your orientation is yours and that’s okay
Out with your partner, you feel the stare
Disapproval, discomfort, thick in the air
No they say, it’s not because you’re gay
We’ve been brought up a different way
It’s going to be tough getting to the top
You feel your career grinding to a stop
No, they say, your gender doesn’t matter
Please don’t believe all that idle chatter
All things being equal, is a lovely phrase
Doesn’t help get that well-deserved raise
No, they say, your gender doesn’t matter
Let’s grab a coffee, have a good natter
How many times before graduation day
Did you take that bullying along the way
No, they say, we don’t ever body shame
Must be a joke, just a harmless nickname
Too thin, too fat, too short or too stout
It wasn’t our intention to call these out
No, they say, it’s not really body shame
Here, we treat all sizes exactly the same
The wonder years of our life were filled with a priceless innocence. When we were too young to stop and think before rushing in. When we just went by the calling of a guileless outlook. When we chased after butterflies and simple joys.
The inflection point of change is when we start acting in a measured, considered, cautious way. This makes us mere spectators of social disparity rather than prime movers of change. This leads to a follower approach rather than a leadership role. And makes us even less of a force for good.
When we were young, no boundaries existed. No one needed to be better than the other. No one cared who won or lost the game as long as it was played.
The truth is that as we grow into contributing members of society, we begin to play by its pre-defined rules. These rules then dictate how we view others. This viewpoint then makes us judgemental. And being judgemental is the beginning of unfair biases and inequalities.
Maybe a time-worn picture of our carefree days can remind us. Of the life we set out to lead. Of the dreams we were so ready to dream. Of the blissful ignorance of the word impossible.
The challenge as we grow up is that we lose the simple belief that we were born to be the best. That loss of memory leads to a reset of our goals, now within rigid frameworks. These goals then don’t represent the real potential within. And that potential is lost forever.