On Speaking Up Against PH’s #AntiTerrorLaw
Pa-woke. Kulang sa pansin. Maingay. Daming sinasabi. Nagmamagaling. Nagmamalinis. Masyadong negative. Di na lang tumulong. Ayaw sumunod. Ayaw magpatalo. Ayaw makinig. Ayaw tumahimik.
So many things I’ve been scared to be described as. I realized there were times I was an example of such words, and I do still struggle with my own inefficiencies, inconsistencies, and insensitivity.
Every time I feel angry about how our leaders are addressing the pandemic, I calm myself down through my love for writing. A part of me would always wish my voice would have at least a small impact when I share my thoughts, but I often back off to read facts, news, and insights, because apart from trying to understand the situation, I was feeling afraid that somebody would attack me with something I don’t know.
What I learned from feeling scared, though, is that when you express and get yourself out there, you’re bound to get hurt or criticized. But when you do take the risk and face what scares you, you’ll be changed for the better.
People say we shouldn’t be carried away by our emotions when engaging in political discussions, but while that’s true, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have emotions at all — it’s precisely what has always urged people to speak up. Time and time again, it was through united voices that the world changed and civilizations healed.
In my case, it was also my emotions that gave me courage to speak up. My conscience has been bothering me when I post on social media about the privileges I enjoy. It’s not entirely wrong or insensitive to do so… but if something bothers one’s conscience, something has to be communicated.
During many nights when I feel blessed ending the day in comfort, I feel emotional thinking — What if I were in the shoes of the poor and I couldn’t feed my family because I have to follow confusing laws that favor only the privileged? Would I blame myself for not working hard enough? Yes. Would I cry for help? Most likely. But what can I do should people shush me, blame me and tell me it’s my fault that my family is suffering now, that no matter what, I “should just follow” because “no one is above the law” when clearly, powerful people have been above the law?
If I want to break the cycle, I cannot be voiceless.
Speaking up is a way to support the government. If we think that its incompetence is “reasonable,” we need to evaluate our own standards for our country. Comparing our situation to that of other countries and of previous administrations is not an excuse for us to believe that our leaders are doing enough. It’s a fact that we have limited resources, but we definitely can do better, can’t we? Why do we hate protests, but ignore incompetence worsened by greed and silence?
Sadly, most people side with the oppressor because they, too, are scared to go against the powerful, even if it means remaining silent in the face of injustice.
It’s great irony — how the anti-terror law is actually pro-terror. My heart goes out to those who have been struggling and are still scared, and for them I will not be silenced by people who refuse to understand the purpose and power of a passionate clamor.
We can do better.
#JunkTerrorLaw #SolusyongMedikalHindiMilitar #MassTestingNowPH #Philippines
“We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.” — Toni Morrison
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8–9
Instagram: @ellecruzin
