Could there be a world like this,
Where there is an unspoken ease,
And not a jot of worry..
About whether the tone and hue upon our outer layer,
Will have no heavy weight
Or negative bearing
Upon one’s routes in life or reactions from others.
A world like this where the shape of one’s eyes,
Or the native tongue spoken,
Or the tameness or wildness of one’s head crown… called hair,
Are no hindrances to the doors which open,
Or the hands which embrace you.
A world like this,
Where the complexity of one’s name,
Even in its abbreviated form..
Would not be introduced with dread or fear of the listeners squirm.
A world like this where the same room,
The same corridors,
The same seats,
And the same tables,
Of grandeur… of policy, law and governance..
Are taken up by kindred of contrasting physical, cultural and socioeconomic streaks.
For indeed,
We are all kindred.
A world like this where I,
And let me say it slowly..
Oluwaseyi Ayooluwa Crystal Afolabi,
That I… would be wholly and unshakeably confident,
That when I bring other lives into this world,
They too would be able to fly and explore their world,
Without fetters or bias..
Simply because of their shade of human.
Could it be that a world like this..
Is so much closer than I think,
So much closer than I think.
— Words by Seyi Afolabi