Politics and Current Events

This Is What’s Happening in the World While You’re asleep

Another kind of pandemic

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

We are given two eyes to witness, two ears to listen, one mouth to speak up, and a whole body to express what we think and feel. But what if I told you you’re not allowed to do that? You’re not allowed to sing at the top of your voice, read with your two eyes to be educated and listen to the truth with your two ears. Yes, you’re not allowed to do that just because someone told you so.

Whilst writing this there’s an outcry stranger than fiction where people braving with all their might to protect their freedom of expression. As if orchestrated, simultaneously while 215 countries are fighting the fatalities of COVID- 19 here are the rise of surfacing concerns that one cannot turn a blind eye.

Black Lives Matter

It is an international human rights movement, originating in the African-American community, that campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people. Now, peaceful rallies tangled with riots are raging across the United States triggered by the death of George Floyd. A victim of police brutality as he was pinned to death by three police officers. Currently, all over the world, people are watching, learning, and engaging how people of color reignite their right to equality.

Stand with Hongkong

Since June 2019 up until now, millions of Hongkongers have been protesting to defend their freedom. Rally against the extradition bill led to thousands of protesters arrested including children. There are also some statements of torture and sexual assault by police officers.

“An extradition is an act where one jurisdiction delivers a person accused or convicted of committing a crime in another jurisdiction, over to their law enforcement”

In this case, Hongkongers are compelled by this bill to bring their jurisdiction to China which detested due to alleged lack of due process and repressive tactics.

Though the bill was put to halt indefinitely still they are fighting for their autonomy to be a democratic country free from authoritarianism.

Anti-terrorism bill in the Philippines

A right to respect for private life is in impending doom while an overwhelming 173 lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted in support of the Anti-terror bill. This entails that if signed by the President, a suspected person can also be detained without a warrant of arrest for 14 calendar days, extendible by 10 days.

With this bill, the government is in full position to identify who is in opposition. The bill also removes a provision on payment of 500,000 Philippine pesos ($10,000) damages for wrongful detention.

It also imposes the penalty of imprisonment of twelve (12) years upon any person who threatens, propose, incite suspected terrorist.

Looking at the big picture these three Protest from three different countries have one thing in common, fighting for humane living which their own government wants them to be silenced. When incompetencies in governance are being criticized by its people. Is it right to just put a cork on it to make it stop?

When all you have is a voice to be heard to let them know how can they understand your pain and suffering, I believe it is not right to turn a blind eye, divert the attention or let the people endure the grueling pain especially if you’re asking help from the people of power.

This is what’s happening in the world while you’re asleep. In the coming days, hopefully, you’ll wake up seeing the injustices, hearing what is right, and start talking about what needs to be done.

Be awake check here