We know what to do, just let us be.
We are self-correcting. We go home when we’re already too drunk and we know how many cups of coffee we need to finish that due-tomorrow-though-assigned-a-month-ago paper.
We are very concerned with fashion, so stop telling us what to wear and what not to wear. Do not label us chic, punk, queer, Maria Clara, or trash just because of some articles of clothing. We know how to look like we intended to. We’ve read too many articles about how to look good. They better pay off.
We are not very good with handling money, but then again, we are self-correcting. We usually buy things we don’t really need, but they are things which we get fulfillment from. So long as they’re not drugs or other illegal goods, make way for some “folly”. Eventually, we will learn to save, or not really, just have enough for enough.
We know what to do with our bodies. Piercings, tattoos, edgy hair styles and colored contact lenses are cool. So unless it’s cutting a limb off or selling our kidneys, please do not make a big deal out of it. (And stop asking how much our haircut or pedicure costs.)
It doesn’t mean that because we idolize the once-innocent-now-slutty Disney stars we will eventually turn out to be like them. We (usually) know better. We idolize them because we can never be like them. If we can be like them then there’s no use idolizing them, correct?
It doesn’t mean that because we want to live away from you, we hate you. We just want to be independent. In a culture where family ties are given a lot of emphasis, it is a common misconception that these ties be always treated as physical ties. Love, respect and concern go beyond the borders or shorelines or 1 hour jeepney rides.
You may question our values but don’t judge us if you think they’re wrong. Ask us what we think about it and how we feel about it. Usually, when we believe in something radical, there are long and educated reasons for doing so. For example, it doesn’t automatically mean that because we’re pro-live in, pro-abortion, agnostics, we’re immoral. Perhaps all those years in Catholic schools finally took their toll. Haha.
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Published in Mindanao Times, 2008ish. Lemme know what you think. 🙂
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