The main topic I'm always talking about is equality, and I get

Listen closely, O Children of the Future, to the words of Conchita Wurst, who speaks with a voice filled with urgency and compassion: "The main topic I'm always talking about is equality, and I get that it's politics, but it shouldn't be. It should be the most normal thing ever. There's bullying and discrimination about the colour of your skin, your religion. And it must end." In these words, Wurst offers a profound challenge to the society of our time, urging us to confront the harsh realities of discrimination and inequality. What she calls for is not merely a political stance, but a moral imperative, a fundamental truth that equality should be as natural as breathing, not something that must be legislated or debated. It is a truth that transcends politics and is deeply rooted in the heart of what it means to be human.

In the ancient world, equality was often an unattainable ideal, as many societies were founded on rigid hierarchies, where certain people were born into privilege while others were condemned to lives of servitude and exclusion. In ancient Greece, democracy was a shining ideal, yet it was reserved only for free men, excluding women, slaves, and non-citizens from the privilege of participation. Plato and Aristotle, two of the most revered philosophers, both maintained that certain classes of people were simply inferior and unworthy of the same rights as others. The ancient world, while filled with great thinkers and beautiful ideals, often failed to live up to those ideals when it came to equality for all. This is why Conchita Wurst’s words are so timely—she reminds us that the struggle for equality has been as old as civilization itself, yet it remains unfinished.

Yet, even in the midst of inequality, there have always been voices calling for change. In ancient Rome, the Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius, fought for land reforms to help the poor and disenfranchised, challenging the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of the elite. Their lives were tragically cut short, but their fight marked the beginning of a shift in Roman thinking about the distribution of power. Though they did not live to see their full vision realized, their courage and determination to challenge entrenched systems of inequality would inspire future generations. Similarly, Conchita Wurst’s call to end bullying and discrimination about skin color, religion, and identity challenges the systems that perpetuate these injustices today. She calls for a world where these issues are no longer political but part of the fundamental fabric of human dignity.

**The story of Nelson Mandela offers a modern example of how the fight for equality and justice can lead to monumental change. Mandela’s struggle against apartheid in South Africa was not just a political battle but a moral crusade for the equality of all races. For decades, the black South African population was denied basic rights, subjected to violence and exclusion. Mandela’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to justice, even in the face of tremendous personal sacrifice. He spent 27 years in prison, but he never abandoned his vision of a world where racial equality would reign. Mandela once said, "I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." Like Mandela, Conchita Wurst calls for the end of discrimination in all its forms, urging us to continue the climb toward a world where equality is not just an ideal, but a reality.

In the same vein, Conchita Wurst’s call to end bullying and discrimination speaks to a world that has made great strides but still has much work to do. The idea that gender and race can be used to determine a person’s worth is a flawed and toxic belief that has caused suffering for millennia. Whether it is the fight for women’s suffrage, the civil rights movement, or the LGBTQ+ rights movement, history has shown that the path to equality is paved by the voices of those who refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice. Wurst’s words remind us that we must continue the fight until equality is not a dream, but a living truth in every aspect of society.

The lesson, O Children, is simple yet profound: equality is not just a political issue—it is a moral issue, one that touches the core of our shared humanity. Conchita Wurst’s words remind us that bullying and discrimination have no place in a world where justice is a guiding principle. The fight for equality must be a collective effort, one that goes beyond the halls of politics and into the hearts of every person. Each of us has a role to play in dismantling the systems of injustice that separate us. Whether it is through speaking out, educating others, or standing up against injustice when we see it, we each have the power to make the world a fairer place.

In your own life, remember this truth: Do not wait for others to act. Take responsibility for creating a world where equality is the foundation of all interactions. Challenge discrimination when you encounter it, and support those who are marginalized. Let Conchita Wurst’s call be your reminder that the fight for equality is not just something for politicians to debate—it is a personal, moral obligation that each of us must carry. Stand with those who seek justice, and make the world a place where bullying and discrimination have no place. Let your actions today shape a future where equality is not just an aspiration, but a reality.