In Spite of Everything

Today, we gather to show our feelings,
Feelings of rejection by those in authority.
Feelings mark with pain.

For too long we are rejected,
For too long we are trodden upon
For too long we are seen as not important
For too long we are seen as only another looking for free hands-out.
For too long we are seen as only taking up space.

Today we are here to tell our oppressors (in authority) that
inspite of everything - how we are treated, we will continue
The fight for justice until the battle is won.
Our comrades who've gone on before have started the battle
Fighting for justice for many years; they have exhorted us to carry on,
Their spirits are with us today; the spirit of courage,
The strength to persevere.

They dreamed of victory coming their way but
their lives were cut short before it comes to pass.
Today, we are here to inform our oppressors that
We will continue the fight; we will never quit.
We will never be silent; no, we will never shut our mouths.

We will bellow/soldier on, even through Kings Gate,
Until our concerns are addressed, until we proclaim victory.
Inspite of everything, the enemy will not prevail,
No, they will not win.

Brothers and sisters, Cheer up, be strong;
we will celebrate the dreams of our forefathers who've started this race.
We will not quit until every injured worker is compensated, are respected,
are treated with dignity by our oppressors. Let us fight for a legacy to pass on to our
children, and their children's children.
There is still work to be done.

We were honest, hard-working employees until we got injured on our jobs;
We took pride in our work. We working in construction,
We worked in offices; we worked in health care services,
We worked in restaurants; we worked in factories and various other jobs.
Today, we are shoved aside and put down as something without value.

Without our contribution, this world would not be so rich today.
Our oppressors reap the benefit of our labour while we drink tears,
and swallow pills. While they anticipate a lavished Christmas
We have nothing to eat or drink.
While their children open gifts, ours have none to open.

While they drink wine and eat turkey, ours drink tears,
and medication, and ask why...
Why can't we even buy canned turkey?
For too long the breadwinner is without bread
For too long our families suffer, our lives torn apart.
Some family succumbed to their injuries and frustration.
Some lost all hope and are depressed.

Today we are here to tell our oppressors that we will journey on,
Until the battle is won.

(by Beryl Brown, Dec. 2006)