LET'S TALK MIDDLE EAST

{ wearing: forever 21 dress, rubi sandals }

My boss told me the other day that I was very lucky. When I asked why, he plainly answered "coz you're not born in the Middle East". With all the unrest going on in the region, yes, I am indeed very lucky. The middle east seems like a different world for most of us, and that's the problem. It seems like a different world but it's not. It's the same world we are in. The same world that houses our comforts and luxuries is the same world that deprives other people basic security. Humans get uneasy talking about harsh realities. I've read somewhere that upon clicking a link to hard news, the person would skim through the top paragraph then move on the next website which is usually lighter and sometimes mindless (9gag, anyone?). Out of sight, out of mind, remember? We miss out on current events such as the apostasy charged woman in Sudan, the 2 Syrian women stoned to death for adultery (aka: sex outside marriage, yes, that includes pre-marital sex), the Gaza strip conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the terror incited by ISIS. But we need to talk about it.

Let me be clear, I don't claim to have all the facts. I haven't experienced these challenges firsthand, and as much as I try to absorb the many readings available online, my resources are limited. Next, let's just put it out in the open that I'm a Catholic. I may not be the most pious of Catholics, but I am a Catholic - both by birth and by choice. Lastly, I'm a woman lucky enough to have been raised in a society where my gender is not looked down on. These are some of the factors that have contributed in the formation the opinions below. Emphasis on opinion. I wrote this article in hopes of further conversation on this topic. You pick my brain, I pick your brain - so to speak. I am more than open to hear your thoughts, and I actually am encouraging you to comment below.

Now that's out of the way, here's my two cents: the problem is we are divided by our differences when we should be united by our similarities. We have all sorts of beliefs, ethnicities, ideologies, and even genders, but at the core of it all, we're all human. Somewhere along the way, we forgot to respect the other person's humanity. Just because they don't call God the same name or they act different from me, it is automatically assumed that they are the scum of the earth. Personality is a better indicator of a person's character as compared to skin color. Not having an extra appendage on the southern part of the body does not mean their brain is not worthy nor capable of education. Clothing, which nowadays has been a form of expression other than just a necessity for warmth, becomes a form of oppression - whether you force women to wear certain things as called for by culture or when you immediately raise prejudices on someone who does so by choice.

If you watch crime shows, you'll be familiar with the humanization survival tactic. It is when the victim pleads to the captor's conscience by mentioning that he has a family he needs to support, etc. This allows the perpetrator to see his victim as a human being and not just a means to reach his end. Objects are expendable, and it is easier to murder, abuse, torture people when they are seen as that.

Aside from humanizing the victims, I believe we also need to humanize ourselves whenever we find ourselves in a "superior" plane. We are not gods to decide who is worthy or not worthy to live. Our truths are not absolute nor universal. We need to ground ourselves and remember that although they have less (seemingly or literally), we are at the core equals. Healthcare and social welfare in an environment that safely allows expression and education is a prerogative of all.

The solution to any problem is often straightforward; however, it is complicated by its implementation. We know what to do but how to do it is another story. Selfishness often gets in our way. Greed makes us want more and more regardless if we already have enough and that doing so takes away another's share. Religious and political extremism pushes us to claim those who peacefully practice their own convictions as heretics in need of our salvation so we forcefully impose our doctrines or worse, exterminate them.

I am not trying to antagonise the Middle East alone for this offense because as some of you will be too quick to point out: the Catholics had crusades and the West has often been interfering with the East. Yes, I am well aware that the Vatican had sanctioned the Crusades which have wiped off populations and entire civilizations and that the West is known to have forcefully occupied territories (my homeland included) and imposed their norms. But shouldn't we be past that by now? I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from their religion or beliefs, but I must admit that I'm calling out for a transformation. If we continue this vicious cycle of revenge or defending our decisions because someone did in the past, we are trapping ourselves to a future of bloodshed. An eye for an eye and another eye for that eye, and so on. We need to have a wide scale intervention about learning to respect each other, because the differences will always be there. It's the product of living in this huge ass Earth separated by borders and oceans. However, in whatever society you go to, life will always be intrinsically valuable. Abuse is something frowned upon and there will always be those willing to fight for life - be it their own or someone else's. Thus, we need to stop this at its root by respecting diversity and honoring each other's humanity.

Maybe I'm oversimplifying things or maybe I am dreaming the impossible, but I have faith that the world will see a state of peace wherein everyone is embraced by society no matter what religion, gender, race or beliefs. Everyone deserves to live and not just to exist, and this entails addressing basic needs such as proper health care, education, shelter, and security. I hope I get to see it in this lifetime. It is then that I will know that I am truly lucky.

xx