*image borrowed from citizenshift.org
So instead of studying for my Methods in Physical Anthropology class, I lost my track and wandered in Youtube where there is a lot of bashing going on about one Mr. Christopher Lao and his actions. I'm not going to post the video here as I disagree with the fact that it's treated like the main attraction in a circus.
But I would like to write here about my lamentations after reading the comments on Lao and his actions.
A.) I can't believe how racist my countrymen can be.
Saying things like, "It's because his Chinese" or "This is what Chinese people are like" or "He should send his Made in China ass back to China" are just disgusting. For Pete's sake! First and foremost, people should realize that he is more of a Filipino than Chinese because he was brought up in the Philippines, was integrated in the Philippine community and was brought up in the Filipino culture. Thus, it wasn't really Chinese "values" that they're bashing, it's more of attacking their own cultural values.
Second, what's one person's actions got to do with an entire ethnicity? One person cannot represent the whole population (much more the incorrect population as he is not really a Chinese national). If one Chinese-Filipino is a douche on TV for just 2 minutes of his life, that doesn't mean that the entire Chinese population is a douche.
B.) I can't believe how insensitive my countrymen are.
So, okay, the guy made one mistake. And he was so damned unlucky that it was shown on GMA (a popular television network). But, he does not deserve to be cyber bullied. One mistake doesn't make his entire existence a failure. Calling him "stupid" or "moron" or "idiot" wouldn't really change anything.
Everyone makes mistakes. Why be high and mighty and curse him for his bad judgment? We're just lucky our "stupidity" (and I'm sure everyone has one) wasn't caught on camera. A person (any person) doesn't deserve to have a miserable, tainted life just because of one trivial mistake. It's amazing how merits are kept unwarranted, while one mistake could ruin everything.
C.) I can't believe how unethical journalism is in my country.
What happened to responsible journalism? The last time I check, journalism isn't meant to ridicule one person, but instead it is meant to inform people about nationally relevant issues. What's nationally relevant with what happened to Mr. Lao?
This reminds me of the bus accident in Manila. Journalists should really make parameters on their profession. This kind of journalism makes me lose my faith and trust to Filipino mainstream media.
D.) I can't believe how flooding is still not solved in Manila.
Manila has been flooding since the 19th century. Back when our national hero was still alive. I can't believe that Manila still has the same problem until now.
What happened to Mr. Lao made me realize three things: 1.) Manila is not a very good place to stay in because of the bad flooding; 2.) When it floods, roads are impassable so people will not be able to evacuate when they need to; 3.) That no one is doing anything about it -- let us just ridicule someone who gets hassled by these floods.
ENDING: I agree that Mr. Lao shouldn't have acted arrogant, though I can see how frustrated he was. He does not deserve the way people are treating him right now.
As for the reactions of my countrymen, I just heave a long sigh and wish that they represent only a minimum percentage of the country. I was so disheartened after reading the comments on Youtube. But I don't want to lose faith in my country. I hope, one day, many of the Filipino Youtubers would learn to be more sensitive, compassionate and just learn to grow up.
STOP RACISM. STOP CYBER BULLYING. STOP INSENSITIVITY.
P.S. I'm gonna move on with my life now and I hope those haters would, too.
10 comments:
yes.. insensitivity.. absolutely..aside from what you have enumerated thea, i also consider it very insensitive to accuse "Muslim" with the recently bombing in Cotabato City.. I mean, why use the word "Muslim", it could be anyone.. And besides, its the month of Ramadhan. Is this some kind of a joke?? Killings in Sulu before Ramadhan?? Bombing incident amidst Ramadhan?? A HUGE distraction for all the Muslim brothers and sisters who sacrifices everyday by not eating. Maybe they should give a larger amount of budget for good stuff like education and infrastructure rather than buying weapons for the army if they got their heads cut off by "Muslims" who don't have sophisticated weapons..
Sounds like America to me! I guess it's just people though.
@sja_engotz: You're absolutely right. And it's funny (well, not really, but it's certainly is word) how people label something as "terrorism" if a Muslim did it, but calls it "a crime of hate" if it's a Christian who did it. Semantics mean a lot and it just shows how people can be so discriminatory.
@Snowbrush: I get that we have our biases and all. However, I can't help but think that people should act better.
*I meant "weird" not "word". Gosh, I need some sleep.
"However, I can't help but think that people should act better."
Me too. It makes no difference (to them) what I think, but I agree with you.
I could make everyone of these comments about the U.S.
@Cindy: Even the flooding? It makes me sad though that people act like this.
It is sad that people act like this. There is probably not an area as severe as Manila for the flooding issue, but New Orleans was one example of people being trapped and unable to get out. There are smaller communities, especially in the midwest along the Mississippi river basin that experience flooding and this never makes the news. Too small of towns, poor farmers don't make interesting news.
The problem with media sometimes is it's too consumerist-oriented. It fails its essence, though, when it has become like this.
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