___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ There has been a time for all of us when we had devouted ourselves to positions of lesser value than we wished to occupy. There has been a time where we were humbled by our masters, when we bled into the background holding a simple title of little importance. For some of us, myself included, it seems as though we may find ourselves trapped into such positions, donning the name of servant, of staff, of a title that feels as though you hold not a drop of personal poweress. Of course, this is not true of all servants or staff, as some may find gratification from fillling these roles, but, for those of us who wish to be recognized not for the name associated with our servitude or whoever it was that signed our contract, it is a harsh reality. A harsh reality in a sense that many of us were bright-eyed, willing men and women when we were lectured about our roles, our expectations, and our hopes as understood through those above us. We accepted the fact that we were lesser often in the hopes that perhaps we would no longer be or perhaps we would earn respect, favour, connections... However, this is only true of some families who take in their staff with open, willing attitudes and with the intention of letting these inviduals grow or even blossom. The rest of employers? Mayhaps masters? They do not bat an eye at the thought of us servants seeing our very last days serving under them. Maybe these people even see it as our desired respect, favour, and connection. Again, this may be true for some, but I can assure you this is not true of all. Blending into the woodworks of an estate is awarding in some ways, that is no doubt-- However, blending in the woodworks to the extent that you are regarded in the same manner as the wallpaper placed upon the walls is akin to disrespect in its own right. Do not forget for one moment that simply because we, servants and staff, signed a contract to hold our employers responsible for our rights, means that the job is well done or even fulfilled. Words do little, paper even less. Perhaps that is why I chose to write this rather than dare spread such things in person. Be it how it is, understand that we servants are not mere constructs of furniture with special abilities. We are people meant to achieve our own means, our own destinies... Do not deny us that chance by reducing us to wallpaper. خَلْفيّة (kalfiyya)
