When Zero Is A Verb
A recent social media chat
Examined sexism
In the workplace
Everyone in high spirits
Reliving and exchanging
A ton of personal stories
Some hilarious
Others horrifying
Each worthy of their own
SNL sketch.
Given the diversity
Of the group
It was amazing that
Our tales of woe
Were hauntingly similar.
Age, nationality
Career path and status
Rather than divide us
Just further cemented
Our shared experiences
And was a joy to see.
Better still
The constantly worrying
"I"
Which had hitherto threatened
To derail our unity
Was missing.
Time was
We were so distracted
By boardroom battles
We forgot the struggles
We had endured
On the way up.
Unseemly and unnecessary
tussles by the photocopier...
Mostly vain attempts to drown out
less than wholesome chat
by the watercooler...
Laser-like leers that put
Goldfinger's to shame...
Projects that mysteriously
changed hands overnight...
Team-building away days
on testosterone-overload...
The "Hello-I-do-have-an-opinion
-and-would-like-to-be-heard"
face-offs...
All the daily indignations
And basic nightmares
We suffered
The ones that others
Much like our younger selves
Still have to.
“We”
Has once again
Become the operative word
And it is a joy to see
Because it's no fun
On the top-floor
When the only oestrogen levels
Are our own.
There are whispers that need
To be nurtured
Until they become a song
That occupies
More seats at the table
Whilst drowning out
The chorus of our naysayers.
So, on this day
Of Zero Discrimination*
UNAIDS is challenging
That which is faced
By women and girls
In all their diversity
In order to raise awareness
And mobilize action
To promote equality
And empowerment.
This we can get behind.
This we can do.
Our folding chairs
Once unceremoniously
Bundled into cupboards
In case the rare occasion
Merited its appearance
Are now director's class
Acacia wood and buffalo hide
Signalling our arrival.
As that beloved
Virginia Slims advert
Practically screamed
From countless billboards
Way back in the day
"You've come a long way baby!"**
Oh yes.
We have.
And we intend to stay.
Image: Don Hogan Charles
*UNAIDS - Zero Discrimination Day
**Leo Burnett Agency, 1968