I dream of a World
Where I am free to express myself
And reach my full potential
Where I don’t have to hide my tears cos Men don’t cry
Or where I am seen as weak cos Women are naturally weak.
I dream of a World
Where things happen at my pace
And society doesn’t say this is the age that this should be done.
I dream of a World
Where justice is served
And the victim of a Rape isn’t blamed for causing it
Cos he was too naïve to understand or she was too beautiful to be ignored
Or a Crime can’t be reported cos daddy is the criminal and mommy wants to remain married.
I dream of a World
Where people see the world as big enough to achieve their dreams
And aren’t intimidated by someone else’s pursuit of happiness.
I dream of a World
Where with the requisite credentials, I can get my dream job,
As long as I am decently dressed, my employer doesn’t tell me to dress this way or that
Or I don’t get a job I am qualified for because of my Cover.
I dream of a World
Where my future prospects are not defined by my gender
Where I am not told to be a Teacher cos it’s the easiest for a Mother
What if I want to be a Software programmer and Code, do I need to be a boy for this?
Or that I cannot be a Hairstylist, cos it unbefitting of a responsible Man
Or where I cannot run for a political post, cos I belong “to za oda room”
Or where helping my wife with household chores, means that I have been bewitched.
I dream of a World
Where there’s respect for everyone,
Regardless of gender, race, age, skin colour, body type or religion
Where what matters most are the ideas I bring to the table
And not what I look like or people think I look like.
I dream of a World
Where people treat Nature like it’s all they have and all they live for
Like without Mother Earth, there would be no Us,
Cos when the Earth is destroyed, there’s “Nowhere to run”.
– Susty M.