Nasubukan kong makipagusap sa mga "radikal" at mga "intelektuwal" na mga bobotanteng Pilipino (kaliwa at kanan) at karamihan sa mga paguusap na ito ay mauuwi lang sa tu quoque ad nauseam. Lahat may opinyon, pero hindi naman lahat nagiisip, alipin sa opinyon ng nakararami, opinyon ng artista sa tv, o mga opinyong maraming likes at hearts. "Pumili ka kaliwa ka o kanan!". Mga trying to look smart, but not too smart or else madudulas sila sa kanilang mga pedestal. Mula noon, eh wala na akong pakialam sa kanila. "Ay wala pala tong si Jimboy eh fence-sitter" sabi ng iba. I don't care e-e-e-e-er. Total they like putting words in my mouth, kaya mag ookay nalang ako para kumalma silang mga unggoy. "Eh anong solusyon mo para sa *insert issue here*?" sigaw nung iba. Meron akong solusyon, at hindi ko isheshare sa kanilang makikitid na utak. Mga cabeza na tunog latang walang laman. Mga kontraryan hindi dahil sa moralidad o empathy, pero sa kadahilanang kakulangan lang sa atensyon. Hindi naman ako galit, naalala ko lang ang mga eksena noong panahon ng huling botohan sa atin. Sa ngayon, kung may maisusulat man ako pampubliko patungkol sa mga bagay politikal, ito ay satirikal na lamang at walang kinikilingan. Sayang ang enerhiya ko sa pagkaseryoso sa mga taong wala namang kahit isang iota ng intelehensya (ito ay joke lamang). Ako lang ang smart (joke ito ulit). Malay mo nagjojoke lang din pala ako dito sa comment ko na ito, at ang gusto ko lang talaga sabihin ay masaya akong basahin ang iyong lathala. Kumbaga isa akong random yapper. Kung may magsasabi man sayo na apologist ka o kaya naman ay komunista ka, isipin mo nalang sasaluhin ko yung iba, para hindi mabigat.
I was supposed to write an essay entitled "The manifesto of a fence-sitter", but then it morphed into so, so, so many things... and this is the result.
To have different views and opinions is ALWAYS normal. Even better—to have those differences.
Also, I hope many will respect that fact. We all tend to assume we know better. Even if it were true, as you say: we should see things in other people's way and not dismiss them because of different mindsets.
It is most likely, that the friends, peers, and family members we choose to judge will be with us longer and genuinely care for us than any politicians with their own agendas for power.
"...regroup—but when you do, maybe take a little bit more time to level with the people you need on your side to fight the fight. And I don’t just mean the people you already know are on your side—you need to reach out to the people that see things differently. You need to make the effort to see things their way. You should not vilify them and dismiss them and ostracize them just because they’re different from you."
I've tried this, and failed. We're two years into this now, and the people I know on the other side have gotten much worse. Keep in mind that this is a very difficult thing to ask of people when the other side has intentionally voted against my (and countless others') rights and welfare, and clearly don't think enough of them or value them. They're not thinking about everything you're saying; they're just thinking (and are always thinking) about themselves. I don't regret cutting many people off since, many of whom I've known for decades - and with some now in government or agency positions or lining up for them in the next elections.
"And don’t do it just because you think you’re morally superior, that they have to be “educated” or “saved”. You have to mean it. Trust me. I’ve been on the side of the impassioned and the unseen. We can see through you and your performative “empathy”."
HAHAHA I hate this, too. The moment people say "educated" or "saved" in this context (or religion), I'm done with them.
It is a difficult line to toe, yeah? I get cutting people off who can conceivably mean you harm, but I suppose I'm riling against the threshold for that being so low now. Easier to form that echo chamber for your immediate pleasure. But then, some people don't take bullshit easily anymore, and I am just a "people pleaser"...
I suppose my own context here is, I got cut off for, I assume, not sharing a former better friend's exact same opinions. If I don't believe that boycotting McDonald's will solve the Middle East crisis, does that make me a morally reprehensible person?
And then they say, with dripping sarcasm, that it's "okay" if I am racist.
I have seen your (not you) performative empathy. You're not here to educate me, but to judge me. Okay.
Boycotts work, but only if people understand franchising and country rights. And knowing specifically what and who to boycott. Hindi yung banat lang based on brand name and mother company.. Performative nga.
IMO those who label others first are usually the first to be offended when it's done to them - and the last to know what the labels they've appropriated and weaponize actually mean. 🤭
reading this is giving me PTSD flashbacks! hahaha but a hundred percent agree that Leni/Kamala supporters don't seem see to see when they themselves have become the very same people they criticize. That's the danger of passion; it clouds self-awareness.
Anyway, I remember having a conversation pre-election with a driver I often call when I'm stuck somewhere. I called him one time from the airport because I couldn't book a Grab. He picked me up with his wife and we were stuck in traffic. All everyone could talk about was the election back then, so naturally his wife asked who I was voting for because they were voting for Marcos. Kuya driver chimed in before I could answer.
"She's young and works in BGC, she's voting for Leni for sure. That's Leni's demographic."
That really stuck with me. Taking the moral high ground really wasn't doing us any favors. From the other side, it just made us look like spoiled citizens who didn't have actual problems asserting our privilege.
I remember being surprised when someone my age—a colleague who, like me, works with (not for) the government—said they were going for Duterte. That didn't fit the template! But I reminded myself that we all had reasons for choosing one side over the other. It just sucks that we are judged for that and that alone.
As for your final paragraph—this definitely powered the appeal of Duterte's "Imperial Manila" mindset. I always wondered if I'd be one of your "spoiled citizens" if I grew up in the richer parts of Metro Manila rather than in Cavite, or as the snooty people call it, "Etivac"...
I've been seeing your notes as you wrote this essay, and I totally get the need to make sense of the return of the Marcoses. Like you, I also write to make sense of the world. The essay that emerged from that rewired my brain, so I'm less possessed now by the games these powerful men and women (and egregores) play (we're the pawns). https://www.explorations.ph/p/the-invisible-philippine-war
Nasubukan kong makipagusap sa mga "radikal" at mga "intelektuwal" na mga bobotanteng Pilipino (kaliwa at kanan) at karamihan sa mga paguusap na ito ay mauuwi lang sa tu quoque ad nauseam. Lahat may opinyon, pero hindi naman lahat nagiisip, alipin sa opinyon ng nakararami, opinyon ng artista sa tv, o mga opinyong maraming likes at hearts. "Pumili ka kaliwa ka o kanan!". Mga trying to look smart, but not too smart or else madudulas sila sa kanilang mga pedestal. Mula noon, eh wala na akong pakialam sa kanila. "Ay wala pala tong si Jimboy eh fence-sitter" sabi ng iba. I don't care e-e-e-e-er. Total they like putting words in my mouth, kaya mag ookay nalang ako para kumalma silang mga unggoy. "Eh anong solusyon mo para sa *insert issue here*?" sigaw nung iba. Meron akong solusyon, at hindi ko isheshare sa kanilang makikitid na utak. Mga cabeza na tunog latang walang laman. Mga kontraryan hindi dahil sa moralidad o empathy, pero sa kadahilanang kakulangan lang sa atensyon. Hindi naman ako galit, naalala ko lang ang mga eksena noong panahon ng huling botohan sa atin. Sa ngayon, kung may maisusulat man ako pampubliko patungkol sa mga bagay politikal, ito ay satirikal na lamang at walang kinikilingan. Sayang ang enerhiya ko sa pagkaseryoso sa mga taong wala namang kahit isang iota ng intelehensya (ito ay joke lamang). Ako lang ang smart (joke ito ulit). Malay mo nagjojoke lang din pala ako dito sa comment ko na ito, at ang gusto ko lang talaga sabihin ay masaya akong basahin ang iyong lathala. Kumbaga isa akong random yapper. Kung may magsasabi man sayo na apologist ka o kaya naman ay komunista ka, isipin mo nalang sasaluhin ko yung iba, para hindi mabigat.
Mabuhay ka, Niko!
"Fence-sitter!"
I was supposed to write an essay entitled "The manifesto of a fence-sitter", but then it morphed into so, so, so many things... and this is the result.
At natawa rin ako sa sundot mo ng 2NE1.
To have different views and opinions is ALWAYS normal. Even better—to have those differences.
Also, I hope many will respect that fact. We all tend to assume we know better. Even if it were true, as you say: we should see things in other people's way and not dismiss them because of different mindsets.
It is most likely, that the friends, peers, and family members we choose to judge will be with us longer and genuinely care for us than any politicians with their own agendas for power.
"...regroup—but when you do, maybe take a little bit more time to level with the people you need on your side to fight the fight. And I don’t just mean the people you already know are on your side—you need to reach out to the people that see things differently. You need to make the effort to see things their way. You should not vilify them and dismiss them and ostracize them just because they’re different from you."
I've tried this, and failed. We're two years into this now, and the people I know on the other side have gotten much worse. Keep in mind that this is a very difficult thing to ask of people when the other side has intentionally voted against my (and countless others') rights and welfare, and clearly don't think enough of them or value them. They're not thinking about everything you're saying; they're just thinking (and are always thinking) about themselves. I don't regret cutting many people off since, many of whom I've known for decades - and with some now in government or agency positions or lining up for them in the next elections.
"And don’t do it just because you think you’re morally superior, that they have to be “educated” or “saved”. You have to mean it. Trust me. I’ve been on the side of the impassioned and the unseen. We can see through you and your performative “empathy”."
HAHAHA I hate this, too. The moment people say "educated" or "saved" in this context (or religion), I'm done with them.
It is a difficult line to toe, yeah? I get cutting people off who can conceivably mean you harm, but I suppose I'm riling against the threshold for that being so low now. Easier to form that echo chamber for your immediate pleasure. But then, some people don't take bullshit easily anymore, and I am just a "people pleaser"...
I suppose my own context here is, I got cut off for, I assume, not sharing a former better friend's exact same opinions. If I don't believe that boycotting McDonald's will solve the Middle East crisis, does that make me a morally reprehensible person?
And then they say, with dripping sarcasm, that it's "okay" if I am racist.
I have seen your (not you) performative empathy. You're not here to educate me, but to judge me. Okay.
Boycotts work, but only if people understand franchising and country rights. And knowing specifically what and who to boycott. Hindi yung banat lang based on brand name and mother company.. Performative nga.
IMO those who label others first are usually the first to be offended when it's done to them - and the last to know what the labels they've appropriated and weaponize actually mean. 🤭
reading this is giving me PTSD flashbacks! hahaha but a hundred percent agree that Leni/Kamala supporters don't seem see to see when they themselves have become the very same people they criticize. That's the danger of passion; it clouds self-awareness.
Anyway, I remember having a conversation pre-election with a driver I often call when I'm stuck somewhere. I called him one time from the airport because I couldn't book a Grab. He picked me up with his wife and we were stuck in traffic. All everyone could talk about was the election back then, so naturally his wife asked who I was voting for because they were voting for Marcos. Kuya driver chimed in before I could answer.
"She's young and works in BGC, she's voting for Leni for sure. That's Leni's demographic."
That really stuck with me. Taking the moral high ground really wasn't doing us any favors. From the other side, it just made us look like spoiled citizens who didn't have actual problems asserting our privilege.
I remember being surprised when someone my age—a colleague who, like me, works with (not for) the government—said they were going for Duterte. That didn't fit the template! But I reminded myself that we all had reasons for choosing one side over the other. It just sucks that we are judged for that and that alone.
As for your final paragraph—this definitely powered the appeal of Duterte's "Imperial Manila" mindset. I always wondered if I'd be one of your "spoiled citizens" if I grew up in the richer parts of Metro Manila rather than in Cavite, or as the snooty people call it, "Etivac"...
I've been seeing your notes as you wrote this essay, and I totally get the need to make sense of the return of the Marcoses. Like you, I also write to make sense of the world. The essay that emerged from that rewired my brain, so I'm less possessed now by the games these powerful men and women (and egregores) play (we're the pawns). https://www.explorations.ph/p/the-invisible-philippine-war