My response to Liz Seymour’s blog
You touch an exposed nerve in me…there is so much wrong with the world, and you show how to make it better starting with yourself. This is something difficult to grasp when one is assailed by the stresses and fears of a life ruled by money and politics.
Here in South Africa it seems that most people are under the spell of extreme wealth or poverty, and live either in fear or adoration of politicians and their power. Your post about the Seattle protests awoke a fighting spirit in me. There is so much good in this country, but it is continuously spoiled by power-hungry leaders who seem incapable of engaging in sensible debate. We are no longer a country of protesters – we have become lazy and complacent, and worse than that, afraid of speaking out against our leaders and government. We have become brainwashed into believing that there is nothing we can do to change the course of politics. Is this where the road to nationalism and dictatorship begins, with this erosion of personal agency?
It is sad to see a country browbeaten by rampant crime, politicians under criminal investigation, and a ruling party that barely tolerates an oposition. It is sad when the words of Desmond Tutu who is honoured across the world for his peace work are ignored by the ruling party. It is sad when political factions threaten to tear the country apart.
Your blog is a great because it shows how powerful our choices are. Time is only as valuable as what I choose to spend it on. Like money, time becomes worthless if it is squandered on worthless activity.
M,
Why am I here in a country not my own? Why do I need to go and live in a foreign country? Why do I have to leave behind the life I built for 3 decades, uprooted myself and endure the hard life of living alone away from home?
The answers are found in the articles/blogs you and Liz wrote and more. If my country’s economy is good, I would have stayed. If the politicians keep their promises, I would have stayed. If there are no politically motivated uprisings and coup attempts now and then, I would have stayed. If the elections are clean and those who are in power are honest, do their jobs and if there are no corrupt government officials, I would have stayed. If there are jobs and I’m paid fairly, I would have stayed. If only I see a spark of light at the end of the dark tunnel, I would have stayed. But I saw none, it’s getting worse year after year and I don’t see any better tomorrow if I stay. Millions of professional and skilled filipinos are out of the country like me to find the future we didn’t see coming.
That famous line by an American president is in my mind:
“Don’t ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” And so here I am, helping my country’s economy float with my regular remmitances. Trying to give my parents, my brother and sisters and their families a better life that I could have not done if I stayed. Trying to build a new life, trying to make a difference. I can not save my country or change the world, but maybe at least I could open doors of better opportunities for my nephews and nieces.
I am but a small force, yet I know I’m using the little power I have to change my part of the world. God put me here, I will grow. And I have no complaints.
I wish you well.
~ Jeques
postscripts:
My blog entry, “Discovering Haiku While I am Waiting” tells the story of my coming here. http://jeques.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/discovering-haiku-while-i-am-waiting/
Hi Jeques,
Yes, I see what you mean. It is frightening to be in a country which is so unstable because of those in power. Its also so sad when you love the country and the people and living there so much, but you know that its better for you to leave.
Many South Africans have left and are leaving, but the majority as in any country can’t afford to leave. As you say, its better to be where you need to be and do what you can do for those who need it.
Take care.
M.
M,
Corruption is becoming an incurable disease among the governments of most of the nations around the world. But the citizens that are most affected are those in the 3rd world countries like the Philippines. Our land has a little juice of wealth left, and the greedy politician has the nerve to pocket the little drop left.
We, Filipinos, are known for our resilience. We survived the more than 300 years of spanish colonization, years of oppressive Japanese invasion, 20 years of Marcos dictatorship, of years and years of corrupt and mediocre government ~ not to mention calamities and more.
The modern-day Filipino version of exodus is just one way to show our resilience.
I wish you well.
~ Jeques