INDEPENDENCE DAY 2020: FREEDOM AMIDST UNCERTAINTY

“Dehumanization, which marks not only those whose humanity has been stolen, but also (though in a different way) those who have stolen it, is a distortion of the vocation of becoming more fully human.”

- Chapter 1, Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire

Even as the world grapples with the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, people from all over the world take to the streets in a universal struggle for liberty. Youth-led protests swept Thailand, challenging for the dissolution of parliament and reforms to the constitution which was written under military rule. In Belarus, thousands of Belarusians congregated in Minsk for the biggest protest in the country’s history, calling for the removal of Alexander Lukashenko, who ruled the country for 26 years. Months ago, black protesters ignited a global call to end police brutality after George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer. The Philippines is no exception, with Filipino students rallying in opposition to Republic Act No. 11479, otherwise known as the Anti-Terrorism Law.

Gray asphalt snakes are what became of streets once teeming with nightlife. Ghosts of laughter echo in schools that used to be alive with children. No more birthdays this year. People line up one meter apart in fear of being buried 6 feet under. The scent of rubbing alcohol wafts through the air. This is the Philippines under the coronavirus pandemic.

The fight for liberty continues long after a country declares independence. Even amidst a global health crisis, people struggle for the basic right to be free.

The Filipino youth has always been at the forefront of the struggle for liberty and change. Many times we have united to struggle problematic societal norms that became a tradition. The pandemic did little to stop the youth from fighting for what is right. Even students who are brave enough to openly criticize the problems in their schools demonstrate that it doesn’t take a genius, nor a PhD to want the best for others.

In commemoration of the 122nd Independence Day of the Philippines, we call on our fellow students to be unyielding in matters concerning the welfare of many, and adamant in the continuous fight for liberty. Freedom from oppression does not end long after Independence Day, nor should we stop emulating the people who paid for our freedom with their lives after June 12. Rather, we should rise up to the challenge of creating a better future for ourselves, and the next generation. We may not have any idea what’s in store for us, especially amidst a global health crisis, but what we know is we will not be the generation to stop fighting just because we’ve been called too young to know anything too many times. There’s no better time than now to rise up and be the change we’ve always longed for.