#100possiblesongs 22: Sick Of This

Evidently this 100 word challenge has become an outlet for some anger I’ve had for a while.

I’m sick of making persuasive cases

For you not being institutionally racist.

I’m tired of arguing

Against irreversible harm that you’re doing

I’m done with the debate

About whether some people are not cis and straight.

And no, I’m not going to re explain cis.

Because I’m tired of this.

You shouldn’t need anyone to say

“A more diverse and inclusive workforce will pay

Dividends!” You shouldn’t need a convincing business case

For not being bigoted, exclusionary bellends.

I shouldn’t fucking have to even say

That a service for people with health problems

NEEDS TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS

A fucking tannoy in the waiting room in the hearing clinic?

“Mr Johnstone! Mr Johnstone?

Oh he must have give home.”

Forgive me if I’ve become a little cynical

This sort of thing should not be fucking typical.

And it is.

Along with appointment letters for the blind, no braille, no phone call,

Still I’m sure they won’t mind

At least they have a chance

Of someone reading it to them.

At least they get the letters

Before the day of their appointment.

Imagine the tremendous disappointment

Of waiting two years

Two FUCKING years

For an appointment with a gender identity specialist.

You wait and you wait and you don’t want to pester.

Yay, the letter arrives, the appointment’s fucking yesterday.

And missing it forces your name off the list…

So it’s back to square one

For another 2 years of waiting and wondering: Is this bigotry or incompetence?

And which is worse? Care from a service that hates you, or one that’s just this fucking dense?

I tried to believe you when you said you were willing to learn.

You nodded along when I raised my concerns.

But I’ve repeatedly banged my head against both sides now,

Professional and patient; I’ve been both, now I’m neither.

I’m unprofessional.

Impatient.

I’m not going to tell you

That treating minority staff and patients

With an absolute minimum level of respect

Is something you should do,

To tick boxes

To improve productivity,

To get a plaque on your wall praising inclusivity,

This is not up for debate, no.

I’m telling you now

That you’re GOING to do it.

Because it’s the right thing to do

And because I FUCKING say so.