“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” *
June 12 is a big holiday in the Philippines. 
We celebrate it as the National Independence Day / Araw ng Kalayaan.
Independence from 300 years of Spanish Colonization — followed by American and Japanese rule…
300 +++ years is a terribly long time. And yet the ghosts of colonization is often ignored and overlooked. The scars of imperialism, dramatic and deep, is often cast aside as a cultural and historical norm.
And today, when a country celebrates an independence day, there often comes a feeling of deliverance and consolation.
A victory is celebrated.
Freedom, we say, was a battle hard-earned. Past tense.
Of course we know now that freedom is a constant, every day struggle. Present tense.
Even in the face of self-governance or democracy there is no guarantee. After all, power to the few at the expense of the many is world history.
The favored super heroes with super human powers, often born of another planet or created from a mysterious mix of substances, are yet to come alive to deliver us from the terrors of our ways and our own creations.
And so we’re here, terrified of the one thing that may save us all — our humanity.
Two sides of the same coin?The one side that says peace is crucial. The other side that says justice is necessary for peace.
The one side that says passing of just laws to create order is a duty of the government in a community. The other side that says resistance to unjust laws that destroy peace & liberty is a duty of every individual in that community.
It is a constant tug of war, isn’t it? A constant checking. A constant balancing. A constant conversation or a weekly Zoom meeting.
Because there is no perfect government like there are yet to be perfect people.
But we hope for a more just people … and a more just governance.
And yes, a more perfect union between the two.
A possibly unending quest. A possibly unending work.
But as we celebrate and nod to the work of freedom that came before us, we take pride and peace in the work of freedom and justice that is in front of us.
Is your participation a requirement? Personally, I think only you can answer that.
*I saw this quote at a shop here in NYC. Borrowing it in support of the movement and against the terror bill that is pending in the Philippines.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” 
