I was never really this political. My active involvement in social issues is a recent milestone. For the longest time, I was an enabler of the oppressive status quo. Yes, I idolized the “grit” of Duterte in his campaigns and even looked up to the “bravery” of Bato. I lauded Marcos for his “golden-era triumphs” and was devastated when he was buried away in Libingan ng Mga Bayani — only because I won’t be able to see his real body in Batac mausoleum. Looking back at it now, I feel ashamed of the beliefs I had and profusely shake my head at the idea that I admired these murderers and human rights violators. Quite frankly, I hardly cared about the rights of the people then, as I carried the mentally “Hindi naman ako apektado d’yan eh!”
I personally see this venture as part of my growth not only as an individual but as part of the larger collective that is our society. However, my vocal stance on certain issues has sparked disagreements between me, my relatives, and my friends. Perhaps we all know that one relative or social media friend who is a constant onlooker of our political posts, taking every chance to rebut and dispute our claims. I have a relative who has gravely criticized my anti-Duterte perspective, even to the point of reporting my “acts” to my father. Although some might argue that it’s a healthy debate, there are times when agreeing to disagree is just not enough.
In the course of the government’s action plan to combat the virus, we have seen corruption, impunity, harassment, killings, and even implementations of anti-Filipino policies. I have seen many of my friends engage in one debate after another in comment sections, an endless clamor of one-upping each other. Some might be tempted to press the block or unfriend button but it is only fair for us to educate other people (especially our peers) regarding an issue they are misinformed about. There are two kinds of people we will meet in these arenas of political arguments; those who will listen and those who won’t. Either way, we must still strive to educate without sounding condescending or aggressive.
We can disagree on our favorite movies, songs, or even celebrities but when their moral compass enables the fascist state, that’s a different story. When people choose to recognize infrastructures (from debts that the people are still paying decades later) than the thousands who were killed, harassed, and abducted, that’s a different story. We are familiar with those who refuse to recognize their own lapses and only push for their own twisted beliefs despite facts being laid out to them. This is the type of people we must look out for, those who deliberately ignore the suffering of others brought about by their political views. The same people who choose to turn a blind eye against injustices and hide it under the guise of ‘looking at the bright side’.
The bottom line is that we have varying beliefs and stance on many things, but there is a fine line that separates mere interests and politics that affect the lives of people. We must struggle to unite in these times when our very freedom is in peril, we must not forget who the real enemy is. Before we click that unfriend or block button, we must ask ourselves if we have done our best to educate. We can only reach to a certain extent before we realize that a person is reactionary, with no intentions to understand.
I have been asked by a childhood friend as to why I have become an activist. I have pondered on this question and conclude that with injustice and oppression so out in the open, why wouldn’t I be?
