Same Struggle - Different Differences

Same Struggle — Different Differences 

It’s the same struggle – always. 

One group – very powerful. 

Another group – powerless. 

Pushed down, shut out 

Despised, disrespected. 

 

Whether with blatant violence or subtle discrimination,  

The ultimate aim is just the same.  

With deliberate downright deception  

to create unwarranted dread and hate 

To build up walls of separation,  

They’d prefer if you were ‘late’.  

 

But the Powerless don’t stay powerless 

You start to say ENOUGH 

You find your strength in UNITY 

As you begin to stand up. 

 

So, the struggle starts – 

The struggle requires resistance – the refusal to submit. 

The struggle requires courage – the willingness to commit. 

 

Oppressors demand your silence – to shut your mouth, to hide away. 

To comply with their instructions – to obey. 

But you say, “No way”. 

You’ll no longer abide their bigotry. 

You’ll no longer regard their authority 

You’ll stand up to their abuse... 

So, the struggle continues 

 

It’s the same struggle always – the differences are different.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discrimination against the differently abled is an ongoing fight... 

Treating humans like trash because we cannot talk or lost our sight. 

Looking down on us with their pity – not appreciating our worth. 

We have a place and role like everybody. 

We’re entitled to our dignity 

Whether our difference is physical, mental or sensory, 

 

Let us be the people we’re meant to be, 

Celebrate our victory.  

Stop making up policy 

“for us but without us” 

As if we have no mind of our own 

We demand the opportunity  

To make our opinions known.  

 

Rosa Parkes resisted – she’d take her rightful seat. 

Martin marched on Washington – he had a dream.  

Stonewall was the spark that started the conflagration 

For LGBTQ people against discrimination. 

Emmeline, with her sisters fought fiercely for the vote,  

With that Women’s Suffrage, the ‘glass ceiling has been smote.  

So the struggle continues... 

 

I can speak of many battlegrounds of hate, 

Of oppressions of ideology – of Apartheid 

Of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, 

Huddleston and Tutu. 

Of Marsha B Johnson and Harvey Milk 

Peter Tatchell and Greta Thunberg 

To mention but a few 

 

The differences are different but the same struggle will continue. 

 

John Fairlamb 1/2022 

 

 

Drawing Dance

My mum always said, "If you can draw a line you can paint a picture"

I think its true to say that if  you can move you can dance. 

Dance is for everyone!

There are masters like Michelangelo, Dali, Turner and Warhol who when we view their masterpieces.

Their exquisiteness is intimidating. 

"I can't draw" you say! 

Watching old films we see: Ginger Roger and Fred Astaire, Cyd Cherise and Gene Kelly

Glide effortlessly around the dance floor as if floating on a cushion of air. 

It's easy to feel that you can never do that with your "clumsy feet". 

Art and Dance are expressions of our souls.

Whether moving a paintbrush or pencil on a canvas or a page.

Or creating a masterpiece with our bodies on the dance floor or the stage. 

Both of them mediums of expressions

Communicate a message; tell a story

They capture the moment; they preserve it for posterity

Everyone has a message; everyone has their story

As in any field there are professionals who have studied and trained for many years, 

guided in their crafts by masters with experience. They know all the rules and the right terminology. 

But these pros are not the sum total of the art.

There is beauty in the scribbles of a tot who says he's drawn a house or their family.

There is grace in the not to rhythmic ramba by the beginner ballroom dancer.

Tall or short, large or slight, whether we can run and jump or we need some mobility aid - 

We ALL can dance

Motsi on Strictly said: 

Dancing is for Everyone - All-body-types!