by Sophia Niblock, Otago Girls High School

What if we lived in a world where, we were surrounded with no prejudice or hatred
Everyone’s lives were looked upon as sacred
I could be who I wanted to be - elated
Where I could live being truly myself without being degraded
by society

Even with equal pay rising to the fore
Even with women coming forward like never before
Even with politicians finally changing the law
Cities across the world are still plagued with inequality

What if we lived in a world where
Malala hadn’t spoken up for women’s rights?
just allowed the fear of the taliban to run rife
when did getting on a school bus become a crime?
when did shooting children become a pastime?
when did seeking education necessite elimination?
I’m wondering

What if we lived in a world where,
Nelson Mandela hadn’t challenged apartheid
had given up while inside
where the focus of the worldwide
attention had died
and no one had cried
free Nelson Mandela

If my words didn’t fall on deaf ears
Everyone else, and I could steer
The world towards a better brand of thought
life’s not about the superiority of one over the other
so why try and smother
one after another

What if we lived in a world where,
Kate Sheppard had stopped when chastised
had listened to the lies that women are misadvised if they think they’re equal to the guys -
and neglected the cries of women whose power was trivialized
why did voting become so gender specific?
why did sexist attitudes become so prolific?
why did speaking up seem so horrific?
for women
I’m wondering

What if we lived in a world where,
we refused to mock and disdain and riddle with shame
the people who are different from us
Yes our world is progressing, but we still need more directing
and for people that are neglecting to start accepting the respecting
of people that are different
Maybe you should take a moment to start reflecting
We have to stop the tormenting

What if we lived in a world,
where double standards were gone
where the bystanders didn’t just look on
at ill-treatment all day long

We need to change these traditions
They are causing a division
This is not a supposition

Racism and sexism continues to spread
Why are countries and nations all being led
To believe it’s okay to judge
how about just leave it unsaid

What if we lived in a world where -
people could be accepted for being themselves
in a world where we could be ourselves
I’m wondering

What makes us think that we are above
We have to remember that loveislove
So maybe we should just shove
out those negative feelings towards others

So what about me?
and what about you?
what are we going to do
to make sure people are accepted for who
they are?
I’m wondering