I remember, not so long ago, I had a representative of a farmers movement remove his shoes while he was on stage. I think he might have been outraged but he played it cool and complied. When I saw how smooth his feet were, I questioned whether he had farmed a day in his life and whether his inexperience made him a fit representative. Naturally he ran out of kind words for me. This is painful to do. Its quite rude and I dont come out of the experience feeling good about anything, least of all myself, because I was not raised like this--but if theres anything Ive learned in communities, its that our commitment is to the people, not their handlers. Funny to think about all this now just a day before Manong F Sionil Joses birthday. You see, old man, even as you turn 90, we are just as we were when you first wrote your books and called us a shallow people. I cant imagine what it must be like for you, decades ahead of me? Remind me never to ask you again if you are weary and please, please, while there is fire left in your old belly, yell out your anger so that even when you pass Ill hear your voice as it echoes in my head and teach my young heart to be braver.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 15:06:50 +0000
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