THIS hate speech phenomenon existed many decades ago, but it has only become prevalent when majority use the social media. Since it is a free platform where everyone can post opinions and ideas, hate speech is seen everywhere and has become like a natural expression. But it mustn’t be.
This hate speech is rampant all over the world, not just in the Philippines. But for Filipinos, whose culture is rooted in resiliency and respect for elders and for others, hate speech has supposedly no space anywhere. But it is not the case.
What is hate speech?
Our definition of it is anything that directly attacks people based on their race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, political preference, sexual orientation, and many others.
So, when do you cross the line when you express comments or opinions? When do you cross the line to this so-called freedom of opinion and expression? There are no exact answers for that especially when we look at the contexts.
But if you post something on social media, for example, that shows hatred or dislike and influences others to think like you do or incites violence, it’s hate speech.
If you say something out of animosity, that’s hate speech. If you express ideas and attack those whose ideas are different from yours, it is still hate speech. When you write something that degrades and dehumanizes a person or triggers discrimination, that’s hate speech.
And now, it’s everywhere – from people talking in the streets to postings on social media.
Some netizens are so loud to express their hatred over political candidates or government projects and policies or religion and sexual differences or stories shared and posted. The attacks are sometimes too rude that others would be influenced to say, react, or think the same.
So, we ask where are the values that our parents and grandparents have taught us? Where has the GMRC (Good Manners and Right Conduct) gone? We were taught GMRC in elementary as part of our solid foundation.
Now, the United Nations (UN) has shared its strategy and plan of action on hate speech. It aims to give the UN the room and the resources to address hate speech. Measures taken will be in line with international human rights norms and standards particularly the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed its support to UN. DepEd recognizes the important role of education in addressing and building resilience against hate speech, which can cause grave implications to people, groups, or even nations.
In support, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones highlighted DepEd’s implementation of the strengthened GMRC and Values Education curriculum in the basic education system.
DepEd also recognizes that in this age of social media and the 24-hour news cycle when conflicting information, fake news, and misrepresentations proliferate, critical thinking is a skill that must be fostered by all sectors of our society.
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts to come up with good judgment. It is the ability to think in an organized and rational manner to understand connections between ideas and facts. Critical thinking, when applied, maintains civility and decency.
DepEd calls on teachers, personnel, parents, learners to promote love instead of hatred, respect instead of contempt, understanding instead of indifference, and equality instead of discrimination.
Hate speech and discrimination must have no place in our homes, classrooms, and society.
But this is not just the concern of DepEd alone. This involves everyone.
When parents look into how their children analyze situations and how to react to them or when teachers integrate value-laden concepts in every lesson to remind learners what needs to be done or when we care for our friends by making them aware that they are starting to cross the line or when leaders set non-hate examples, we will experience harmony and peace.
Let us spread love. Just love.