Something to think about. Instead of grimly proselytizing and calling out the general youth population as ignorant of human rights violations and corruption, we have to make more efforts to reach out to them on their level of concern and understanding and realize why most remain horribly misinformed on the subject. >> Further, it is no longer enough to denounce persistent messages of how the Marcos years were the Philippines’ alleged golden age with statistics of theft and photos of human rights victims. One is speaking to a generation for whom the Philippines is perpetually just on the verge of rising to take its place in the world and who perceive the post-Edsa years as still riddled with frustration and corruption. One must address how propaganda appeals to their aspirations in a more stable Philippines, including the idea that perhaps the Philippines needs a strong, decisive leader after all, or that perhaps we need an informal ambassador like Imelda to put the Philippines on the cultural map. We should not be surprised; Indonesian youth likewise weighed former general Prabowo Subianto and his human rights record and his candidacy raised strongman Suharto’s specter in their recent presidential election. The members of the Edsa generation must accept that the members of the next are perfectly entitled to form their own opinions regarding Edsa, and will do so whether or not they choose to contribute to this. Their perspective will increasingly be not about what happened but how—or even if—Edsa is relevant to them today, and validly and understandably so. Painful as it might be, they are likewise entitled to reject Edsa as an unfulfilled dream. Edsa thus represents the new generational divide. The members of the Edsa generation risk having their attempts to retell Edsa mistaken for an extended, condescending harangue. Would it not be better to sound more inclusive and emphasize that Edsa is an ongoing pursuit of aspiration that today’s youth will soon inherit? Would it not be better to stop comparing them to Edjop and empower them to return to Edsa should the call of history sound once again? Would it not be better to accept that their seemingly alien penchant for selfies might not reflect their appreciation of martial law? Nagging comes easy, but unintentionally alienates youth more than it educates.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 10:30:44 +0000
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