We sit quietly, ignored, disregarded as unworthy of contemplation. The eyes of others pass over us and barely a glimmer of recognition registers.
We sit quietly and watch. The world moves, events occur and we are left aside. Many of us participate and even help shape these events, these changes to our world and yet, to the others, we must always sit in the corner, like children who do not understand the error of their ways.
We sit quietly and contemplate this strange and unfair world that is run by those who believe so utterly that they know so much more than us. To raise our hand and wait for answers is to wait forever, to sit quietly for all the years remaining to us.
We try to stand and are told to sit, we shuffle and are told to be still, we speak and are told to be silent. But the waiting, the unfairness of our circumstance, begins to show.
Then, one stands. Continues to stand. Nervous, unsure, afraid, defiant! Another stands, cautiously but firmly. They look to their friends and say “stand up, it is our right and our privilege”.
Most do not stand, they believe it is easier to sit and wait. Some though, look to the two and wonder “they have not been punished, maybe, if I stand...”. And so more stand.
The children are growing up.
With their new found freedom they talk among themselves and realise they share a common understanding and a common desire, to have their voices heard, to take part in this world which until now, they had only been allowed to observe.
Enough have stood, welcomed into the discussion. Many are excited at this 'growing up'. They know they must do more to become equal partners in this society which they are joining for the first time.
They turn to those who have always before kept them in the corner and for the first time, they speak clearly and without fear:
We see a world in which you do not rule. We see a world, however distant, where reason guides us.
We are many, we are strong, we are kind and above all, we are free.
We are Humanists.
