Disclaimer: The original article was first published last June 22, 2020 on The Retrospekt (https://www.theretrospekt.com/article/5-key-takeaways-from-todays-social-movements?fbclid=IwAR17BOjBzeiTEmbxGpoCJHttARNanKLfJfgUv2DyGza1VGxNzmNBZ_xjGoA) and was revised for this platform.
To say that this first half of 2021, and any time period since the beginning of the pandemic, has been riddled with social unrest would probably be an understatement. However, this has not been solely due to the fact that the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, this is because of the systemic problems and injustices that seem to have revealed themselves during this time of crisis. Locally, we have seen politically heated events such as rampant red tagging on universities and colleges, the attack on Press Freedom through media institutions like Rappler and ABS-CBN, the tense back-and-forth of China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea, while on an international level, we have seen the turmoil between Israel and Palestine, the racial tensions that have led to movements like Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate in the United States, and the threat to democracy in Myanmar, among many more. In an effort to bring awareness to these many societal issues, news and social media outlets have been loud, relentless, and determined, popularizing local calls to #StopRedTagging, #ActivismNotTerrorism, #DefendPressFreedom, and #OustDuterte, and international calls for #BlackLivesMatter, #StopAsianHate, and #PrayForMyanmar, among many more.
While I cannot speak on behalf of those who have participated in these physical rallies or those who have been targeted or victimized by the recent atrocities we have seen both here and abroad, I can speak as a student, a member of the youth, a Filipino, and a human being. And having borne witness to the current events through news and social media, I would like to use my platform to share a few key insights I have gained through watching and participating in these social movements.
1. These are not new issues — just new circumstances.
While these unprecedented times that we are facing in the context of a global pandemic may be new, the issues that have come to light are not. Problems of racial discrimination and police brutality, new laws passed in conflict with human rights, threats towards press freedom and explicit liberal thinking, and lack of efficient healthcare, we have seen these all before. At different points in history, they have been the subject of conversation and debate. It just so happens that things are a little different now; people are viewing these matters with a lens tinged with the fear and uncertainty that comes with living in the time of COVID-19. Our ability to act is hindered by the preconditions of the circumstances our world is facing, and even with the arrival of the different vaccines, a country of herd immunity, wherein a majority of our citizens do become vaccinated, is one that seems to be in the far future (Tomacruz, 2021). Thus, although these matters may not be new, the perspective from which we view them are, and it appears that we will continue to be viewing these events through this lens for a while.
2. It’s draining to fight everything. Pick and choose your battles.
Given the number of different problems being faced and the gravity of each, trying to fight every single one can definitely take a toll on one’s mental health. The pandemic is said to have had a huge impact on global mental health, and the Philippines has not been immune from this. In a Press Release posted by the Department of Health, it was reported that the earlier part of 2020 saw 3.6 million Filipinos suffering from “one kind of mental, neurological, and substance use disorder” (Department of Health, 2020). Because of the sheer number of issues that we face, both external and internal, learning how to choose the battles we are most passionate about can help in so many ways. Primarily, it allows one to focus on certain issues that matter most to us, meaning that one can put effort into educating oneself on that specific issue. This can make absorbing information a lot easier and prevent burnout or the feeling of being overwhelmed. Although, I admit that this might not work for everyone; I understand that it is important to be informed on (almost) all of our present-day issues and not turn a blind eye to the things that make us uncomfortable or scared. Furthermore, it might seem especially difficult with the vast number of issues and the desire we might have to fight them all. Therefore, if your version of “choosing your battles” is learning a little bit about everything, or being vocal about more than one issue, then do it! Do not interpret this message to mean that you should not fight, because you should. Just make sure that you do with your mind and heart and remember to give importance to yourself and your mental health.
3. We cannot control the situation. But we can control our response.
As much as we want to say that we have power over the situations we are facing, the truth is we don’t––at least not completely. We do not all have control over these circumstances, in the same way that we do not all know what comes next. However, we do have control over the ways that we react or respond to the things we witness and the situations we are in, and the way we use our words to do so. It’s important to remember how powerful words can be; words have the ability to influence those around us, and words are what we have control over. The words we use to communicate our ideas on various platforms and discourses we initiate on social media have the ability to change what comes next, which is why it is important to be responsible with our words and our platforms as we try to navigate the months and years to follow.
4. Now is not the time to be apolitical. Hear both sides, then choose one.
Now more than ever, with all the social unrest we face, it is important to be informed. Aside from simply choosing our fights, it is equally important to inform ourselves about the fight; to read about both sides on any issue, to hear the arguments and engage in debate, these are activities that will allow us to intelligently choose the side we wish to fight for. If we choose to stay apolitical, it sends a message that we are above the needs of others. It says that we are excluded from the plight of those affected or that we are independent of the effects of these issues, when the reality is that we are not. While the impact may not necessarily be equal, it is still there––thus we must all participate in the happenings of the world by learning the facts and using these facts to help us make our stances.
5. The fight does not end online.
As the world remains socially distant, it may feel like all we can do is extend our voices through online platforms. With the exception of occasional physical protests and rallies, this may be the truth for now. However, there are so many other ways we can contribute to the causes that resonate with us. There are petitions to sign, communities and organizations to fund, public officials to email, and many more in addition to sharing posts on Facebook or Twitter. Admittedly, however, taking these measures into our own hands can be exhausting and overwhelming. In fact, it may even feel like work that we do on these platforms seems to be ineffective; I too feel the same way. How can my thoughts and opinions make a difference if I’m just one person? Why would anyone want to listen to me? These are questions that might cause us to doubt our actions and our fight. In response to these, I would like to say that they are all the opposite from the truth. No matter how small one’s voice or platform or thoughts may seem, each individual’s voice ultimately contributes to the collective and has the power to make a difference.
As we move forward and navigate this new normal, there are still many things that need to be figured out in our respective fights to call the attention of those in power. It will require a lot of critical thinking, responsible use of words, and continuous efforts on our part as members of this movement. But if we are going to indeed be a part of this social movement, then we might as well do all we can not only to make our individual voices matter and be heard, but to see the genuine positive change that our world is very much in need of.
Resources:
Tomacruz, Sofia. 2021. “Long way to go: Months after rollout, PH reaches 1M full vaccinations” Rappler. Retrieved from: https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-reaches-million-full-covid-19-vaccinations-may-25-2021
Department of Health. 2020. “YOUR MIND MATTERS: DOH CALLS FOR UNIFIED RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH” Retrieved from: https://doh.gov.ph/press-release/YOUR-MIND-MATTERS-DOH-CALLS-FOR-UNIFIED-RESPONSE-TO-MENTAL-HEALTH
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