Backlash

If it’s still a wonder how a tough-talking, rape-joking Rodrigo Duterte managed to amass enough support all the way to the presidency at a time when political correctness, feminism and intellectual discussion are favored, we need only to look at the Twitter thread that follows Raissa Robles’ tweet on the President’s pronunciation of “armed stragol.”

The thread is a classic display not only of Bisaya up in arms against the mockery of the regional accent, but of people’s growing scorn for the “educated” and the “elitista.” This is a backlash, and it’s what buoys personas like President Duterte in their leadership. People are sick of conventional leaders with conventional principles.

What’s sad is, this backlash is borne from a gross misinterpretation of these principles. Though political correctness, feminism and intellectual discourse were originally ideals of fairness and collective progress, they are now twisted to mean censorship, subjugation and elitism. The misrepresentation of these ideals, as well as the backlash that results from it, distracts us from why we need them in the first place.

Take political correctness (or PC), for example. At its most basic, it is a neutral principle of avoiding actions and words that can marginalize, insult or disadvantage certain groups of people. This is a form of decency needed anywhere, from international diplomacy to local hospitals to school teachers. Political correctness is a principle that prevents doctors, for instance, from discriminating against teenage mothers, or teachers against children of minorities.

But political correctness today is viewed with derision, primarily because it has been pushed to its extremes. Abroad, there’s talk of teachers suggesting to rename “Easter eggs” into “spring spheres,” and citizens wanting to remove the word “man” from terms such as “manhole.”

In the Philippines, you’d trigger some people if you used the term “maid,” but also peeve others with the word “helper.” You might get into a debate over terms like “illegal settler” and “rebel.” And God bless you if you decide to remark on any religion that isn’t your own—that’s walking through a minefield.

Sitting next to this is the concept of feminism. Originally, feminism gave women the right to vote and the freedom to dress as they prefer. Feminism is supposed to liberate women and children who are still forced into marriages, genital mutilation and slavery. But today, feminism is (wrongly, sadly) equated with women getting the upper hand over men, women denying biological differences between sexes, and women getting offended by men opening doors for them(!). At its worst, feminism is misused as a principle behind false allegations of rape and other crimes against the feminine.

Extreme political correctness, misplaced feminism—these are examples of how ideals have evolved into madness in the perception of many. And this is fuel for their backlash. This is confirmation of the belief that a “disente” elite has been censoring and subordinating them, the “masa,” and now they want the tides to turn, and turn all the way. “Screw political correctness. Forget feminism. We’re sick of these ‘disente’ follies being forced down our throats.”

This is a tragedy. It has taken us decades to arrive at this fair, inclusive time in our nation’s history, and that’s because of people who have championed genuine principles like gender equity and cultural inclusion. Now, because of the careless misuse of such ideologies, we’re taking a regrettable step backward. Cue the rape jokes.

Linguist and communication author Dr. Anna Szilagyi writes that “political correctness intends to contribute to greater social equality and fairness,” but “anti-PC politicians not only discredit an expression but also undermine the idea behind it.”

The same is true for other ideals such as feminism and intellectual conversation. And it’s not just politicians who discredit these ideals—they are elected to the front by a large populace who have found a powerful representation of their disdain.

It would be universally helpful if we stopped viewing ourselves as either the “disente” or the “masa,” and seriously focus on real causes instead. It would be helpful if we stopped shaming thinkers for ideological advocacies, and likewise if we stopped looking down on the average Filipino as ignorant sheep. Erasing that divide would be helpful indeed. Is it a pipe dream? I prefer to be optimistic and nondivisive, but for some, it’s a real “stragol.”

hyacinthjt@gmail.com