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Thursday, February 23, 2006
Editorials: Defending a legacy
What is unfortunate in the 20th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa people power uprising is not so much the toned down celebration as the muddling of its memory.
Commemorations, more often than not, reflect the temperament of organizers. In the current political turmoil, it would be naïve, then, to pine for the rites of less tumultuous years.
On the other hand, the downplaying, even denigration, of the Edsa revolt has been persistent and sometimes less apparent---and therefore more worrisome.
Failed goal
The main point of misgiving that has weakened especially the latter generation’s hold on the 1986 event is, of course, the deterioration of the country’s politics and government’s failure to improve the economic lot of the people.
When an act does not meet expectations, it is easy to shift perspective and view it in a negative light.
The widespread indifference that has pushed people to shy away from recent efforts to effect meaningful societal change is a reflection of this shift in perspective.
This has given those who have always opposed Edsa 1 and even the objects of the revolt a chance to tamper with the assessment of the event’s historical significance.
Repositioning
But disenchantment alone wouldn’t have eroded people’s appreciation of Edsa 1.
Disenchantment, coupled by the successful repositioning in the country’s economics and politics of the faction of the ruling elite toppled by Edsa 1, did the trick.
Members of the Marcos family and the beneficiaries of crony capitalism, for example, have successfully wiggled themselves back into the mainstream.
Because of this, they are now able to wield a bigger influence in the country’s politics and in shaping public perceptions, including the one about recent history.
Note the daring with which Imelda Marcos and her daughter Imee have been promoting a different view of the Marcos dictatorship and its plunder of public coffers.
Great moment
This does not mean, however, that those who have a stake in the objective appraisal of the 1986 Edsa uprising should just raise their hands in surrender.
Edsa 1 was one of the greatest moments for our people and country because of many reasons, one of which is its success in finally toppling a hated dictatorship.
It is one legacy whose significance must be defended vigorously.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 23, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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