Friday, April 14, 2007 Oledan: Constrictions By Radzini Oledan Slice Of Life
THERE IS no such thing as a youth vote.
Voting for national and local candidates come May elections is only part of the process, which starts during the registration. One who checks it out with Commission on Elections (Comelec) would find that over 60 percent of the youth have been unable to register, preventing their voice to be heard and their decisions counted in this very important democratic exercise.
Blame it on the weak information drive and voter's registration of Comelec, which was wanting of an efficient system. This is exacerbated by the youth's indifference.
It may be said that the youth of today do not take the prevailing political landscape seriously, a reason they're not taking steps to introduce changes or propose reforms. There is too much apathy and a glaring lack of rage over inequality and malfeasance.
We have the youth of today trapped in the space afforded by technology and obsession for western pop culture.
Perhaps we can find its root in the educational system, which has privileged rote memorization and compliance rather than encourage critical analysis. The youth are shaped to become call center agents or overseas workers, often serving external needs of foreign countries and in some ways, individual ends such as enabling their own family to survive rather take part in community building.
Academic endeavors have been relegated to the four walls of the classrooms or in the coffeeshops while real learning with and among communities seems to take the back seat. And while there is an obsession on theoretical discussions from classical to post modernist, there is lack of depth and soul.
This is not simply a choice taken by the youth. It is also due to the constrictions put in place by adults who may have forgotten that theories are meant to allow us greater freedom to explore and not to box our perspectives and initiatives in.
There will always be a need for the youth to be heard and to take part in the election process and in everyday events. Underlining the lack of a youth voice is the prevailing power dynamics that hinders their full participation.
The political landscape will not be changed by politicians elected into office, it has to be consciously shaped by those who make up more than half of the population.
To begin with, we should all be challenged to confront our biases against the youth.
