BagongPinay - October 2001 Editorial: Multi-tasking in a Changing World

Women, I am urging you to discover and maximize your roles in our rapidly changing world. Men, I am calling upon you to support the women you love and to support all women around the world. Let us not return to the petty ways of our previous selves.

These times have been chaotic and have shaken us from the inside out. In an international Filipino writers' online discussion Eileen Tabios, Filipina poetess, suggested that this disaster called for "deeper, deeper, deeper analysis." On television, Maya Angelou, African-American poetess ( "Phenomenal Women") said that now is the time for thinking people to think. These women are right because we need to get our bearings again and get back to our lives but with a renewed sense of direction and with higher intentions.

One time a friend of mine scoffed at me. He asked me what good is thinking and talking about the issues. All I can say is that it takes people thinking before they decide to take action. So let us think upon these times and what they mean. Women need to ask questions and know the bigger picture.

Two years ago, the Y2K concerns of a potential international computer breakdown belied the importance of the dawn of the new millennium. The new years of 2000 and 2001 came and went and people were lulled into a sense that these are just common every day times. As it turns out, it wasn't a New Year's day, but Sept. 11, 2001 which heralded, ever so painfully and loudly, that a new world is upon us. We need to come face to face with the fact that we live in a fast changing world and that it is indeed a global community. For years we have been hearing about the suffering of Afghanistan---earthquakes, invasion, the oppression of their women. People in the United States and everywhere else can never believe again that what happens in another part of the world can never touch them or hurt them. Terrorism, famine, genocide, in other parts of the world cannot go ignored. We must address all injustice no matter where it is.

From now on, we women can no longer just go back and forth between work and home, household and kids. We can no longer go on living in our little worlds and ignoring the rest of the world. We can't let ourselves be patted on the head by politicians, fathers, boyfriends and husbands and let ourselves believe that we shouldn't bother with government, foreign policy and current events. We can't go on doing this. Motherhood is an important job. By the same token that mothering is important to the family, motherhood is also important to the community at large (more important than history has cared to admit). Since we women are so fundamental in raising future citizens, so too should we take a vital role in governing and creating the future of our countries and of humankind. Having children does not necessitate womanhood or for that matter motherhood. Because motherhood is the innate ability to use feminine qualities of caring, insight and wisdom and when raising children. Therefore, motherhood is also a role played by women within gatherings of people that need guidance. And that includes our developing societies. I'm not talking about a bunch of "mother-dearest"s or female militants controlling society. Rather, I'm talking about women and men helping bring balance into society, healing it, and helping it advance.

Hmmmm. Such beautiful, noble ideals, right. But how do we begin from here?

Many of us have been crying and praying for the devastation of 9.11. But now it is time to also be learning, thinking and acting at the same time. We women, after all, are very good at juggling. We can multi-task at real-life better than any personal computer.

Of course, we all cry when we are deeply moved, angry or grieving. My heart goes out to children begging in the streets or people going hungry in the slums. And I cry when I watch the news and see real-life men, women and children afflicted around the world. But tears are not enough. And being manhid is totally inappropriate. How many of us have not done anything or enough... helping feed the hungry... donating clothes or money... volunteering for some good cause... signing a petition or sending a letter to a leader... even doing the easiest but possibly most powerful thing of all, that is, sending prayers and blessings to those who suffer?

Sept. 11 has changed us. However we were touched---emotionally, intellectually, spiritually---we should be different now then how we were before that day. We must realize that we are connected with all of humanity. This fact is underscored by the existence of television, radio, phones, faxes, cell phones, text messaging, email, the world wide web... Civilization is at an ever-rising pinnacle at which our relationships and connections the world over are increased and enhanced through ever-advancing technology. But the world is not progressing only because technology is. And contrary to the profit mindset of the corporate world, civilization does not progress or digress in response to the fluctuations of economic stock indices. Civilization progresses because humanity does.

At this moment, humanity is progressing at an accelerating rate because the tools of communication are increasing our connections worldwide and enhancing the relationships within those connections. That plus communication's potential for empowerment whereby free information is being circulated, acquired, and applied in real lives. These are the highest purposes that communication technology offers civilization.

Don't doubt this just because the media doesn't talk about it. Television and movies are not just about commercials, sitcoms and blockbusters. The Internet is not just about porn, profit and personal ads. The collective effect of conscious people using communication has the capacity to transform the world. And it has started. Look around you. Search for proof. Do your reading.

Probably, for Filipinos the changes in our perception of people's collective power started in 1986 with the EDSA movement or People Power. Filipina women and prayer were undoubtedly essential to this historical time--- men alone could not have done it without women; and the Filipino people would not have been sustained in front of tanks, soldiers and guns without the prayer vigils. That power combination of brave men, brave women and prayer enabled the Philippines to oust a President who had overstepped his powers for far too many years. Already, communication technology (radio, TV, phones) was key in keeping the Philippine people in touch with each other and the rest of the world. The world watched us in wonder, cheered for us, even learned from us for in the following years there were people in other countries who tried to do the same as we did. People Power of 1986 was a great event for the Filipinos, but obviously, we Filipinos still have much to learn evidenced by the fact that we needed People Power 2 to oust yet another abusive leader 15 years later.

So what is it that we all yet have to learn? What do we yet have to do?

As a Filipina woman, I will venture to say this: Democracy's principles of freedom, justice and equality will never be fully realized unless civilization values and honors women and feminine qualities more and more. Both men and women need to respect womanhood and how it enhances and adds worth to society on all levels. We only need to look back on history or even in the present to see that whenever the harder, more masculine behaviors of aggression, force, and domination manage decision-making then conflicts, profiteering and fighting are rationalized away. We need to see changes on how we solve problems and make decisions in our relationships, our local communities and in the world. The more feminine qualities of compassion, nurturing and non-violence need to be upheld by both women and men. And our intuitive and healing powers also need to be honored and not scorned. Because whenever this happens wisdom and peace reign. And thus democracy becomes a reality and no longer an illusion.

I am hoping that someday our world leaders will embrace the purest form of democracy. In the last century, the U.S.A. was involved in 2 world wars, bombed Hiroshima, had a Cold War and got involved with Vietnam and the Middle East crisis. Isn't it time for the U.S. to transform its approach to problem solving? Should the U.S. begin to change its foreign and economic policies (globalization)? So, that it can help make the world a better place and not just make the U.S. a better place then the rest of the world? Only time will tell if U.S. government will handle this world dilemma in a better, more humane way. And I have high hopes for this U.S. President. For the sake of the world we should all pray that he comes up to the challenges.

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair talked about globalization and a better world. When he spoke at the British Labor Party conference yesterday he openly called for globalization to be a force of good and justice or "then it will fail and it will deserve to fail"... and he called for the world community to heal the wounds of third world countries. Spoken with the compassion and wisdom of a woman (a hearty compliment.)

I was moved by Blair's whole speech. Not just because he spoke of the Britain's support of the U.S. fight against global terrorism or the settling of Israel-Pakistan relations (which evidently is what the U.S. media chooses to focus on), but, because he also talked about the bigger world scene with some clear, deep analysis. Before he talked about globalization, he acknowledged that every country's financial, economic, and environmental systems affect others. He said, "... our self- interest and our mutual interest are today inextricably woven together... this interdependence defines the New World we live in." Towards the end of his speech he said, "Around the world, the 11th of September is bringing government and people to reflect, consider and change. And in this process, amidst all the talk of war and action, there is another dimension appearing. There is a coming together; the power of community is asserting itself. We are realizing how fragile are our frontiers in the face of the world's new challenges." Hear, hear, Mr. Prime Minister. (Transcript of Blair's speech found at http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/10/02/ret.blair.address/)

Edna Aquino, a Filipina in the U.K., urged me to think even deeper then this and commented to me on society's dependence on political leaders to fulfill the tenets of democracy: "I deal with human rights records of governments and I can give you a long litany of why we cannot pin our hopes on leaders like them to survive this world. Any display of compassion I would credit mainly to the hearts and minds of individuals and communities; from voices that are penetrating the corridors of power....the first few voices calling for peace, humility, justice and compassion in the US after the 11 September attacks came from women - including from mothers, wives and daughters of those innocent civilians who were either killed or gone missing as a result of those atrocities. " (see message board: http://www.bagongpinay.net/cgi-bin/forum_features.cgi?review=49)

Edna's points led me to analyze women's collective social motherhood role further. As a mother, I need to make sure that my son does his chores and assignments and that he puts his full and consistent effort into it. We women, as a collective force of motherhood, need to make sure that government leaders do their assignments. In the U.S. the democratic principle of "Freedom and justice for all" is destined for not only America but for all of humanity and so this is a very big assignment for the U.S. government. This assignment was set out for us 300 years ago, by the visions of the founding fathers of the newborn United States of America. American patriarchal society and government is still working to catch up to this noble vision. Today women need to make sure that our democratic leaders no longer go astray from their assignment or make excuses for not accomplishing it. As Edna stated, woman's voices--- of conscience and guidance ---- need to penetrate the corridors of power.

So yes, the disaster has highlighted the new millennium's challenges and is awakening our consciousness of the changes required to surmount them. Blair is identifying an awakening of community power. Many community leaders are calling this a shift. I too am calling it a shift. You are experiencing it for yourself when you find yourself asking questions and coming up with answers resoundingly affirmative: Will these times unite people? Will this bring about a renewal of community spirit? Will it bring about a spiritual renewal in the U.S.? In the world? Will this change me? And other people? Yes, to all of these we realize. (And if you're not experiencing it then snap out of it already. Gising ka na!)

And, yes, ladies, we all must get on with our lives. But now, we must all keep in mind what really matters. We must toss out all the old personal attitudes that isolate ourselves from our communities and shut our social consciousness down. From hereon, we must live with a new awareness and new intentions. We now need to be different from the inside out. We must think and be pro-active for ourselves and for others. The world needs us to be our better selves. We must be conscious. Women and men must all become like new.

Today's Filipinas need to become acutely aware that we are women who can play important roles in helping our communities come up to facing the challenges of the new millennium. We can no longer NOT do anything about things that are wrong if they happen outside personal lives. Our world suffers as much from men's aggressive actions as it does from women's silence and inaction.

A man once told American playwright Eve Ensler(The Vagina Monologues), "I as a man know we've blown it. We all know that we brought us here. We need another kind of guidance at this point... please keep calling women to come forward right now."

So, we women must always remember to think, talk and act as a woman on every front where we find ourselves. We must bring the concerns and perspectives of a woman into our work. We can't do our jobs and start acting like men so we will be successful at work. We need to apply ourselves as women so that our work will be successful. Just envision for a moment if all women brought to their work not just talents and intelligence but also qualities of compassion, nurturing, intuition, and non-violence. As a collective force we would bring new meaning and direction to all of life. And, men (for those of you gorgeous male souls who made it through this newsletter) just envision that all men honored women's contributions to the workplace... the economy... religion... government... environment... Oh, what a different world it would be.

Many of the young women I have met through newFilipina.com have my great admiration. These are women who are aware of issues outside of their personal lives and who volunteer their time or choose jobs to try to make a difference in the world. I am so impressed by them because when I was their age (20s) and just out of college my social awareness took a back burner to my personal life. It took motherhood and the Internet before I realized that my personal life and social concerns could and should exist and flourish side by side.

So, my dear friends, I urge you to be brave in this new world. Take care of your health. Your body is a gift of Life to you. You are a gift of life in the Universe.

For those who are still on survival mode, don't be down on yourself. Start by knowing what's going on and praying for other people and the issues.

For the cynical, shut up and do something. Cynicism should disappear when you are volunteering for a good cause.

For those ready to take a more active role, I encourage you to use the Internet to connect yourself with people, information, ideas, and with modes of action. The message boards shown below contain leads.

For those of you who are already active, I invite you to share the issues and the avenues of action that you know of at the new message boards described below.

And keep on multi-tasking, everyone.

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New message boards since September 11, 2001

A Time for Prayer | A Time for Thinking | A Time for Action |

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Wise words from a Jewish leader:

"We should pray for the victims and the families of those who have been or murdered in these crazy acts. We should also pray that America does not return to "business as usual," but rather turns to a period of reflection, coming back into touch with our common humanity, asking ourselves how our institutions can best embody our highest values.

We may need a global day of atonement and repentance dedicated to finding a way to turn the direction of our society at every level, a return to the notion that every human life is sacred, that "the bottom line" should be the creation of a world of love and caring, and that the best way to prevent these kinds of acts is not to turn ourselves into a police state, but turn ourselves into a society in which social justice, love, and compassion are so prevalent that violence becomes only a distant memory."

Excerpt from: "A World Out of Touch With Where the Violence Comes From," Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor TIKKUN Magazine, 09.12.2001. (complete article found at http://marianne.com/lerner.html)

Please go to the message boards:

Time to Pray | Time to Learn | Time to Act

Open Forum! Share your opinions and suggestions pertaining to this topic at the Message Boards MagsalitaKa (Speak Out) Section.