Art byJun Vince Dizon
History was never my favorite subject in grade school. I dreaded the rote memory work that my teachers demanded. I would always ask myself, “where can I apply this in the real world?” I needed to cram a bunch of dates and events in my head just so I could jot them down on my exam. I guess I was young and my mind was in some place, probably thinking about the game I’m playing once I give my books a break.
This all changed when I got into high school. Apart from the change in the course name – HeKaSi to Araling Panlipunan – I realized that I thought about the world quite differently from a few years back. I started to pay attention to the news. I began reading up on the issues that confronted our society. I gave Araling Panlipunan a hard look coupled with a newfound interest. Instead of the boring memorization, our classes in AP looked at history from a different perspective. I wasn’t just trying to remember people who passed away and events that already happened. Instead, I was looking at our society, the world beyond the four walls of my classroom, and trying to question just why things are the way they are. Through the guidance of my teachers, I began to ask questions like why is our government corrupt and tried to arrive at answers. I read with more intent as I felt that what I was learning in the classroom was alive and present in the world I live in. I wasn’t learning about a place that was far-removed from reality. I felt like I had an active role to play and that my choices today would lead to consequences, either good or bad, down the road.
If you ask me what we discussed back then, I would be lying if I told you I remember. However, what I do have to show for is my ability to think critically and weigh a given set of facts and arrive at conclusions I have drawn myself. That is what I loved about Araling Panlipunan. It was never about the facts or figures, but it was always about the framework I developed and the mindset I honed.
Looking back, this education in Araling Panlipunan has given me invaluable tools in my journey. This critical mindset has allowed me to navigate the often murky waters of social media. I realize the importance of being able to filter what’s fact from what’s fiction even more during the COVID-19 pandemic. With lives at stake, I cannot just go on Facebook sharing false information on what COVID-19 is or what it is not. I cannot rely on just what everyone is believing in.
History has taught me that just because the support of the crowd is in one opinion doesn’t mean that it’s right. The same dilemma confronts us today on social media. People seem to believe that something is real as long as the reactions, comments, and shares are in the millions. Without the proper training and development, it’s easy to be swayed and difficult to stand firm. You’ll begin to wonder why if everyone is believing the same thing, why shouldn’t I? In this moment, one ought to remember that oftentimes, the loudest in the room is seldom the wisest.
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