The age of the internet has seen to it that “being like Rizal is much more feasible than in the past,” and the youth should seize the advantages that come with being digital natives, a young lawmaker said.
“Rizal had the advantage of quality education, starting with the patient teaching of his mother, which had opened his eyes to the vast inequality of the times he lived in.
“Today we are seeing a wave of “woke” youth who are alert to issues.”
With the advent of the internet and freer access to information, our youth today do not have to leave these shores to broaden their knowledge,” Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles said on the commemoration of Rizal Day.
According to the Harvard-trained lawyer, the internet’s democratizing effect has the potential to increase the base of well-informed youth.
He urged the youth to maximize the benefits they can derive from the internet and to use their intimate knowledge of technology to create solutions to society’s problems.
Nograles also touched on the “woke” culture prevalent among the youth on social media.
“Today we are seeing a wave of “woke” youth who are alert to issues and are not afraid to air their views about them. Granted, some sectors are taking offense at this seeming brashness, but I think this involvement, rather than stifled, should be encouraged,” said Nograles.
He added that he believes the negativity attached to “woke” culture are mere birthing pangs for a generation that is still coming to terms with its own voice and power.
“The criticisms are perhaps valid, but we should look at the positive side—we have a number of young people who are not content with the status quo and refuse to be cowed by others who tell them to shut up,” Nograles said.
“This is no different to what Rizal did in his lifetime. Rizal spoke up, and inspired those who listened to move,” he added.