The other day - I passed by a noise barrage and for a few minutes I felt good to be one with people who want to see change. Yet, once the noise died, I just as quickly felt frustrated - and asked myself what else can I do to make my voice heard? So I thought of coming up with button pins that said KKK (Katotohanan Kontra Kurakot and Kilusan Kontra Kurakot) - an idea that was quickly supported by my colleagues in Ateneo CORD. I though it was a good parallel because KKK in my country stands for Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangan Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan. It was the revolutionary organization that fought against the Spanish occupation and from whom emerged many of our national heroes. Seems befitting because we badly need a revolution in our country - but in this case our enemy is ourselves. I do agree that our power and governance structures need reform. I think our leaders have lost their moral ascendancy to govern. But this culture of greed and dishonesty didn't just happen overnight. It starts with a single person engaging in or tolerating even a small act - bribing a police officer, paying a fixer.. things that ordinary citizen do. The same citizens who decry the corruption in government are also a party to it in their own small way. A change in leaders is a solution but it's certainly not the only solution. So the KKK buttons are for us our voice against what is happening. But it also is a personal commitment . Because what we really need is for a cultural revolution. One that starts within ourselves - so that we become the change we wish to see.
Buttons anyone?
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The Lozada expose has once again brought to fore the issue of graft and corruption in the country. He is neither a saint nor a matryr. In fact, like al the other crooks in government, his hands are just as dirty. The difference is that he was not appointed or voted by citizens to govern the country and its institutions. I am not naive to think that one can be spotless when you are a politician. But Neri, whose silence has not helped the cause, was nevertheless correct when he said "tell them to moderate their greed." In a country still heavily in debt and where a third are living below the povery line - the amount of money being made as kickbacks is mind-boggling. |
AuthorFaculty of Industrial/Organizational Psychology Trainer, OD consultant, Researcher, Teacher, Mom, Wife, Archives
May 2020
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