‘You cannot take us down’

I read the article “Democracy under attack” by Enzo de Borja (Young Blood, 5/3/18 ). I also read Kay Rivera’s “For the word” (4/13/18) and both have similar messages, that of frustration on writing political issues.

I am not surprised about De Borja’s feeling of aloneness in criticizing this administration, neither can I take away from Rivera her frustrations because of this administration’s callousness, when she sees that no amount of legitimate criticism seem to make a difference. But, take stock, your breed is multiplying.

I am a follower of the Letters section and I read praises for young writers. I marvel about the maturity, style and imagination so eruditely manifested in the writings of young columnists like Gideon Lasco, Michael Baylosis, Rivera, and contributors to Young Blood.

I happened to read “Sleight of hand” by Iya Gozum (Young Blood, 9/3/17). I got so engrossed chewing on every word, admiring the writer’s awesome composition and was stunned upon reaching the bottom and seeing her age to be 18.

Wow! And De Borja is only 17 years old! Yet they ask, “where are the young ones?”

I say, “they are around.” And I say tyrants fear the young ones because of their courage, strength and righteousness, like how they fear the nuns and robed Church marchers who blocked tanks.

I ask these young writers, please continue writing. Let not their aloneness and loneliness and frustrations bring them down.

Michelle Yu said in “Let’s not stand down” (Young Blood, 12/11/16): “To our antagonists: Call it naïveté and flights of fancy. Call it foolishness. Call it a shallow understanding of reality. Crush our hopes for a better future. Say that these fantasies will never see the light of day. Cover your ears and mumble the learned jadedness society has taught you so well — but you cannot take us down.”

REYNALDO PEREZ, Quezon City