The Dictator's Handbook, reminds me over the years way from the 70's as a child hearing the TV and News about Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Philippines who in September 21, 1972 the same day we were lying in state my grandfather in Manila declared Martial Law. I remember watching all the protest though I didn't really understand much what was going on. I do remember seeing in a black and white Zenith TV, a youth group protesting from the national park of Luneta all the way to Malacanang Palace the official seat of power. I saw how the tension started as they walked near the Palace up to the metal gates then all hell broke loose, tear gas bombs, water hoses, batons with metal riot gears and the rest is not rated to be written in this blog.
Then when I became a grown person decades ago in mid 80's Ronald and Nancy Reagan hosted the dictator in the White House a year or so came the so called EDSA Revolution in 1986. The marches went back this time a different scene. Imelda, the former First Lady and the sick tired dictator was on the balcony of the Palace proclaiming himself the winner of the the just concluded Presidential election over then Corazon Aquino. That was the changing times in a third world country, a firm ally, the Philippines. The world watch as the protesters ransacked Malacanang Palace finding 5,000 pairs of shoes from the Former First Lady. While this was happening the Philippines First Family was flown to Honolulu, Hawaii in exile while the US Customs seized millions worth of jewelry and dollar bills.
The 1986 Revolution took 16 years in the making from 1960's when the dictator started running for office. It also took years of economic recovery unfortunately the mark of political dynasty and corruptions still exist today. This country was just an example of stories like Cambodia, Thailand, Cuba, and the last we recall Iraq's Saddam Hussein which also regularly hosted the so called dictator then and his wife while they were in power. In 1990's I guess that gave me the foundation on entrepreneurship plight and my quest in inspiring and advocating for the youth and people with limited income. Hence was also the foundation why we sell books with this mission as this was my own little way of reflection and advocacy.
In Feb. 5, 2013 Jim Powell's article on Forbes quotes, Dictatorships are often unexpected. They have arisen among prosperous, educated and cultured people who seemed safe from a dictatorship – in Europe, Asia and South America. This is very true as as there are a lot of circumstances that leads to this. What my observation is that there are the tendencies already inherent but then the circumstances or circumstances suddenly comes and all of a sudden it's done.
Today some local Mayor's has ended city curfews which I commend. Free expression to protest of grief should not be banned. And if you want to be an accomplished seeing myself as witness through Martial Law this is a basic principle you need to reflect as this is a part cause. 3 months on a lock down is already imprisonment for some. The fact and fear of the contagious virus gauge the success of the shelter in place.
However, when you see thousands of every race, culture and gender in the planet on the streets to the extent of crying for humanity, this is something else. I personally had seen, heard and know what these inequalities are. But maybe out of fear of merely thinking that change is not happening hence I keep silent. But as I reflect on what's going on I tell myself I need to get back to my writing as this way I can show my support.
We have a lot of ways we can do as we have different situations in life. But Like the Rev. Al Sharpton said today in Minnesota., "The times have changed, we are in a different time and we need to adjust our clocks so we get the right time".
Peace as we celebrate the life of George Floyd. Black Lives Matter.
Alex Esguerra
