I remember a few years ago reading an article by Dr Charlotte Riley
On a game called Patriarchy Chicken
‘Do not move out of the way for men’
It opened my eyes to how much I would try to not take up any space

On a game called Patriarchy Chicken
I used to get out of the way of everyone
It opened my eyes to how much I would try to not take up any space
Even if it meant walking onto a road into oncoming traffic

I used to get out of the way of everyone
Groups of teenagers, able-bodied adults, couples holding hands
Even if it meant walking onto a road into oncoming traffic
Or getting my eyes scratched out by a hedge

Groups of teenagers, able-bodied adults, couples holding hands
Bumping into me with looks of surprise
Or getting my eyes scratched out by a hedge
I would want to yell “I’m not invisible!”

Bumping into me with looks of surprise
Until that day in March 2020
I would want to yell “I’m not a virus!”
As they crossed roads and moved out of my way

Until that day in March 2020
It seemed like I was not visible
As they crossed roads and moved out of my way
I realised I was being subject to ‘virus racism’

It seemed like I was not visible
They just chose to ignore my presence
I realised I was being subject to ‘virus racism’
Do not move out of the way for racists

They just chose to ignore my presence
I remember a few years ago reading an article by Dr Charlotte Riley
Do not move out of the way for racists
Do not move out of the way for men

Lesa Ng