Our Claim of Equality by Kolawole Mathew Ogundipe

 Our Claim of Equality

This equality in the whole Terra, 

I perceive as a paper work;

Something that is theoretical, 

And not practical,

Something verbally proclaimed

As crucial to the global and national development

In all sectors,

But does not exist in actions,

Something that exists in imagination,

And not in reality.

Even ordinary animals avouched this fact ̶ 

In George Orwell’s, Animal Farm;

After their revolution against HUMAN FARMERS on the farm,

And the conquest that accompanied it,

The pig and its two colleagues altered their common slogan

During the revolution from “All animals are equal”

To “All animals are equal but some animals are more important”

They made themselves eminent among other animals on the farm.

Is it not equality Paul was referring to?

When he implored the Christian brethren then 

To preserve unity/oneness of spirit in Ephesians 4:3-6,

But does this oneness not questionable in our churches today?

Certainly there will, also, be verses in the Holy Quran

Where equality is accentuated,

But does it really exist among the adherents of Islam?

Just like that of Christians and other religions.

There are equalit(ies)y in equality  ̶

The basis of such equalit(ies)y is wealth,

And the parameter is where we find ourselves:

Are we among the paltry or elite?

Are we among the educated/literate or unlettered?

Are we among Muslims or Christians?

Are we among the white or black race?

Of primacy, from which tribe are we?

Any of these interrogations establishes our equality

 In the third out from the Sun,

What type of equality should we thus,

Call our equality?

Equality premised on human possessions, religion,

Origin, economic/social status and one’s educational background;

Imagine such equality!

That which bestands as an agent of discernment

A corrupt equality!

About The Author

Kolawole Mathew Ogundipe, a holder of Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in English (Double Major) from the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria and B.A. (Ed.) in English language from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, was born in Oja-odan, Yewa North, Ogun State; but resides in Owode Egba, Ogun State. He has fervour for probing different aspects of his area of academic discipline. He also cherishes to be observant of common happenings of life, aiming at penning them for reading. He has published articles in journals. Also, some of his poems have been published in an anthology (the Mississippi Books) and Lipi Magazine. He is currently a Private Primary School English language teacher in Owode Egba, Ogun State.