Decolonisation is not a metaphor

What would

one moment of genuine resistance 

look like to you?

It’s true 

resistance in our modern-day

takes many forms:

some 

are on the frontlines 

creating storms,

some protest, 

pound the pavement and scream 

until their voices are heard, 

and some 

re-share information 

on their Instagram stories, 

but many say nothing,

passively swallowing their own tongues

as mothers lose their language 

when no words can truly describe 

how deep her grief goes

and it shows 

in the eyes of those 

who have never known this violence,

how easily

we can turn a blind eye to it

but we must admit 

that all these responses 

depend on how much 

privilege, proximity, and empathy we possess 

and yes,

this includes myself too

when I ask:  

what would

one moment of genuine resistance 

look like to you?

For the dispossessed 

stripped of their land, language, and religion

or would they need to look 

a lot more like you

to help you make your decision.

For the global majority 

we carry the legacy of dispossessed people

on our backs 

the many battles,

lost and won,

so that we could be here today 

and I pray 

that humans will finally grow wise

to the historical trappings of war

the cycles we repeat 

of subjugation, oppression, apartheid

deceit

the perpetual lie

that vibrates 

through all global structures:

that some lives 

are just more valuable than others

more worthy of a voice 

more worthy of justice.

The target changes 

but the gun stays the same

the target changes

but the assassin evades blame 

once again 

as the puppet masters 

disguise themselves 

so cleverly 

as decent men 

on the 9 o’clock news

telling you 

so eloquently

which side to choose.

Violence  

begets violence 

begets violence 

which begets you

and your right to resist it

to reimagine a future 

where freedom and prosperity 

are not exclusive 

to the privileged few.

So what would

one moment of genuine resistance 

look like to you?