We Claim

We claim that this is the twenty-century,
and that everything has been modernized,
That people’s attitudes have changed,
We claim that sexism has been eradicated,
and discrimination abolished,
This is the age of equality,
And everyone is shown fairness.

If we claim that life has been modernized,
Then why do I see poverty,
Surrounding me,
Not just in alleys, or other countries,
But in our own country,
Our home.
People jobless,
And living off welfare,
With no place to call their own.

Since everyone’s attitudes have changed,
Why do I see bullying?
People judged on clothing, hair, shoes, athletics, and “popularity”.
But more importantly,
Why does no one seem to care?

If sexism has been eradicated,
Why are there still barriers,
Things that we can and cannot do,
Based on gender not ability.
Boys wear blue,
Girls wear pink,
Girls can’t play football,
And boys can’t do cheerleading.
Why can boys stick up for girls,
But girls can’t stick up for boys?

Now that discrimination is gone,
Why are there still people judged on skin, religion, and race?
Why do some people still think they’re better than others?
How can we base our opinion of someone,
On their ethnicity?

Where is this thing you call equality and fairness,
Why are people still biased,
Refusing to open their minds,
If all is justice?

Perfection cannot be achieved,
There will always be some with set minds,
But I pray that those who now make up the minority,
Will someday be a majority.
Those who aren’t afraid to reach out,
To speak up,
To bend and be flexible,
To cross lines no one dares tempt,
Everyone who is equal, fair, and indiscriminate,
Are a start.
But cannot do it alone.

We claim so many things,
But when they are put to the test,
What will we do?
Stay the same in our old ways,
Or dare to conquer adversity with diversity.