#righttoexpress

[therighttoexpress]

A gentle reminder

While growing up, we are told that we should respect and obey our parents, teachers and elders. But does anyone actually teach us how? Clearly they don’t, or we would not be addressing this issue today. This has been going viral since a few days, a video of students disrespecting and abusing a teacher while online education was being imparted to them, and I take it as my responsibility to talk about it. Teachers are supposed to be inspirational figures but instead, they have become the victims of criticism. Due to the pandemic this year, the method of education has undergone a change. But does this really mean that we - as students are free to do and say whatever comes to our mind? Freedom of speech is a provision made for expressing ourselves, but it’s saddening to see how it’s being misinterpreted, or I can more appropriately say ‘misused’ by us. And that shows how little understanding we have of a few important words, and I am going to try to put into place their misapprehended meanings. 

1. Respect - It is something very instinctive. Or at least it should be. And it isn’t and shouldn't be restricted to the elders. The understanding that the person in front of you, has given their everything to be where they are, and that the person may be different from you, and that he/she has a different way of perceiving things, is what respect is all about. The things that you know, may not be necessarily of their knowledge and vice-versa. But that’s the purpose of all of it isn’t it? Sharing what we have and receiving what we don’t? But we keep forgetting this, and the outcome is that we end up insulting others. The significance of this concept has to be understood. 

2. Kindness - A very underrated concept. People don’t believe in the wonders being kind can bring, and that’s probably why we find a very rare bunch of people who truly understand it. This is again, like the precedent, something that should come to us naturally. And if it doesn’t, then perhaps you are doing it all wrong. It’s not that tough to understand what kindness means, but it takes every bit of effort to apply it. It simply means being considerate, and showing generosity in every thing you do, no matter with whom you interact. 

3. Acceptance - When the God created us, he didn’t use the same formula. No two faces and no two personalities are exactly alike. And the sooner we accept this, the better it would make our lives. There is variety in how each of us thinks and takes actions and carry ourselves, and that’s the very essence of being human. When a person appears to have different thought processes, different comprehension of some concepts, we should look forward to knowing more about his/her point of view. This in any way doesn’t mean changing our opinions, but it essentially means not assuming that the others’ are wrong. Instead what we do - we criticize those who don’t seem identical to our behavioral patterns. But that’s what, human behavior doesn’t work that way, and acknowledging this is called as ‘acceptance’. 

4. Morality - This concept, according to me, is not at all subjective. But we think it is, and that’s where the problem begins. People take pride in saying that they do what they feel is right. But it’s not entirely correct. Following your heart is a different thing. But while doing so, you should never forget to keep an eye on the ‘virtue meter’. Our aim should be to reach as high as possible on this meter. And being low here is not an option. Humans are blessed with the ability to choose between right and wrong, and we should make the most of it. So next time you want to do something you want, but if the virtue meter doesn’t reach a certain mark, it’s probably not what you deeply desire and it’s not going to be morally right.

         These 4 words (and many more) need to be imbibed into our lives, and that can be done in very early stages of growing up. But explaining only the definition is futile, we should be taught to execute it and make it a habit - for it’s very essential in this era. The fact that we need to be reminded of some values is very heartbreaking. But if it will change the way we look at things, then why not? May be we need to keep redefining some concepts time and again. 

[mickothoughts]

‘Yung may peklat lang ang may karapatang humugot.

© 04/30/2016

[bumnoxious]

weirdpeople

When you praise someone and they reply yeah ik and you are like fuck this shit never praising this bych again.

[taniasauma]

Statement regarding the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill

On 26 November 2014, Home Secretary Theresa May introduced the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill (CTSB) to Parliament with revised and new counter-terrorism powers; seeking to make the controversial Prevent and Channel Strategies statutory.

We condemn the CTSB and view the Prevent Strategy and Channel policies as further developing a culture of suspicion and surveillance on campuses, whilst also potentially conflicting with institutions’ duties to promote a safe space by making them overly risk-averse and unwilling to engage in important topics of discussion. The monitoring and exclusion of ideas from public debate opposes the basic function of universities; to encourage critical thinking by introducing students to a variety of opinions for them to analyse and debate. The Prevent Strategy guidance in 2011 also recommended to University staff, lecturers and chaplains to report to the police any Muslim students who are isolated or depressed.

Further to this According to the current Prevent Strategy, potential indicators of radicalism” or “extremism” include:

“A need for identity, meaning and belonging.”

“A desire for political or moral change.”

“Relevant mental health issues.”

This could have a substantially detrimental effect on the mental health and wellbeing of Muslim students and/or politically active students, cultivating a threatening environment and therefore dissuading students from asking students for help when they are in need. Such a broad definition of “extremism” could compromise all politically active students and any expectation by the state for academic staff to be involved in monitoring their students is deeply worrying and will damage relations between staff and students. We believe that academics, as well as anyone in a public sector job, should not have to be part of this surveillance. We believe that students are not suspects. Students should be offered help and not victimised for suffering from mental health issues, wanting to establish identity or empower themselves as activists. The CTSB could serve to isolate many students who already feel that the only visible Government engagement is ‘anti-radicalisation’ initiatives, resulting in further alienation and disaffection.

We, the University of Manchester Students’ Union, support an enquiry into the legality of the proposals under the Equality Act 2010 and the Education Act No. 2 1986 as we continue to work with campus trade unions in combating the Prevent Strategy and lobbying them to condemn the CTSB.