one rule for them, another for us
Carved in marble. Printed in law books. Repeated in courtrooms. The official version — polished, permanent, unquestionable.
Sprayed on concrete. Whispered in holding cells. Known on the street. The lived version — raw, temporary, undeniable.
A record of contradictions. Each entry a double standard, tagged and catalogued.
— but only when we agree with the cause
Protected when convenient. Criminalized when threatening. The same march, judged by who is marching.
— but not that speech
Defended to the death, until the words make powerful people uncomfortable. Then it becomes dangerous, irresponsible, a threat.
— for your budget, not ours
Austerity for the many. Bailouts for the few. The ledger always balances in one direction.
— applied selectively
Absolute and unbreakable, except for those who write the rules. The scales were never level.
— the game was rigged before you sat down
Everyone starts equal, they say, from very unequal starting lines. Merit measured by rulers held by those who already won.
ORDER
Structure. Stability. The way things have always been. The natural hierarchy, preserved and protected.
control
Domination. Suppression. The way things were designed to be. The artificial hierarchy, enforced and disguised.