I am Dignity

I am Dignity.
I am in documents prescribing human rights as the primary human right.
I am there regardless of colour, gender, race, class, caste or faith.
I was there before economy, before politics, before urban civilisation, even before your lifestyle.
As a right. As an understood fact. As a duty.
I was there when you walked on rough sand, ate raw, and slept out in the open.
I am here when you stroll on the streets, living a luxurious, advanced life.
I am as old as your ancestors and will be as long lasting till your last descendent.
I am Dignity.
Unfortunately as of today, I don’t have the same recognition.
As of today I reside in the amount of Melanin in ones skin,
the colour of their passport, the gender, the class, the caste, the faith and so on.
While a white child is born with me,
Black children are out on the streets, with broken pieces of my existence, shouting for complete
dignity.
While a man lives an honourable life,
women fight for dignity from their cradle to the steps of The House of Representatives.
While I recall, the hierarchy that makes slaves unknown to what I am, I believe, you have the power to
change it all.
Let’s not make the melanin of their skin a reason,
Let’s not make the colour of their passport a reason,
Let’s not make the class a reason,
Let’s not make the caste a reason,
Let’s not make the gender a reason,
Let’s not make the faith a reason,
A reason for hate
A reason for conservatism
A reason for bullying
A reason for slavery
A reason for torture
A reason for discrimination
Not today, Not tomorrow
Because a right delayed, is a right denied.
Make dignity common now.
To all of those who will lead our future
Aima Qureshi
Signing off