|
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Ong: Revolution unfolding
By Ted Aldwin Ong
Misreadings
THERE was a lively exchange of views and opinion in a recent youth a forum I was invited to make a talk. The country's political and economic situation opened a wide window of opportunity for speakers like me to touch base on the prevailing sentiments and attitudes of the youth today.
Early on in the open forum, there was an imminent awareness black out with the unfolding events - a sort of allergic reaction to discussion with political significance. You can feel the air filled with fear and uncertainty - a paralysis.
We stepped back to the country's recent events such as Edsa 1, 2, and even 3 to better understand the reasons why our country today is paralyzed by politics, dirty politics at that. Politics, I said, is something that we as a people cannot simply dismiss participation. It is politics that shapes a nation life.
In the words of Filipino sociologist Randy David, "Politics is basic to a society's life. Through politics, a nation produces decisions that bind every citizen."
Along these lines, I emphasized the basic role of the youth in our society and our country's political life - its role in shaping our nation's future and in protecting our democratic and civil rights. Just like our workers and women, the youth has a number to influence. Indeed, the youth has a significant role in influencing political decisions.
In the different forum I attended, there were three imminent issues and concerns that time and again were asked for proper explanation and clarity. Among these issues are: the concept of a transitional revolutionary government, constitutional succession and the last - if a bloody revolution will take place.
The first two questions have been exhaustively discussed and were given answers by political analysts but I will tackle them again in my columns in the days to come. Let me dwell in the particular concern on the possibility of a revolution.
It is quite complex to explain given the lack of many ingredients that will complete a people's revolution against the ruling class. Our nation is a repository of historical events when it comes to revolutions.
We are a nation continuously undergoing a revolution. No wonder we continue to associate drastic and radical change as revolutionary. Nevertheless, a revolution is a step towards change. Whatever that is and in what form, bloody or bloodless, only time will tell.
It will take more time to tackle the theories of Marx and Lenin of a class revolution. But one thing is sure a revolution is something that we cannot prevent from happening given the ripeness of time, openness, and preparedness of our people to hug such a transformation.
Revolutions that took place in our history are continuously being re-learned, analyzed and debated. We can draw parallelisms in the revolution that is presently unfolding in Latin American countries which are poverty-stricken, Christianized by the Roman Catholic church and with economies driven by dependence to debt and financial assistance by so-called first world countries.
The European, Russian and Latin American countries were primarily inspired by our EDSA 1986 Revolt. Like the Philippines, it did not achieve the collective and long-term aspiration of its people. So today the revolution continues.
One thing is obvious in these transformations - the significant role of the youth in shaping these societies to become more sensitive towards the needs of its people. History indeed repeats itself. As we draw parallelism in nations undergoing revolutions, we can say that the youth can re-shape the storyline developed and defended by our country's ruling elite. Comments to tao.ssi@gmail.com (Ong writes for Sun.Star Iloilo)
(March 21, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
