Letter to the Editor – What matters most…

What is it that makes a human being good? Is it the gender or the goodness of the heart?

An English Professor wrote the words: "A woman without her man is nothing". He asked his students to punctuate it correctly. All males in the class wrote: "A woman, without her man, is nothing". All females in the class wrote: "A woman: without her, man is nothing".

From the story, we can see that men and women have different interpretations, perspectives and outlooks in life. But we are equally created in the image and likeness of God. Although woman is taken from the rib of man, it doesn't mean that man is superior to woman. God sees gender, but He does not see discrimination and gender inequality. Why does gender inequality exist? Where did it start? As for the usual male and female fight, what causes these inequalities? I'd say a lack of respect for the opposite.

To point out the humanity of a human being, it's very clear that there are only two sexes made by God in the Bible. It didn't say that God created man and woman and an in-between, so why do we have homosexuals in our society today? Still we don't have the right to discriminate them, to look down on them and abuse them because they are still people made in the image and likeness of God. Does it mean that if you're a gay or a lesbian you're inhuman? Are we a better person than them?

Dating back in history, we have already known the superiority of man and the inferiority of woman. This is the case because back then, they were characterized by gender inequality; that is, different and unequal roles in society are defined on the basis of whether one is a woman or a man, with the result that men enjoy greater power, status, and economic security that women. Back then, we see men are usually the emperor, pharaoh, and the leader of the state. I believe men are capable of being a leader. But men have no right to look down on us. What do they have that we don't have? Men showed more abilities and capacities because men have more opportunities than women.

Gender inequalities are evident until today in a number of ways: Women are paid less for the work they do and they have less autonomy on the job. Less leisure time at home because they do all the household chores, and finally less political representation than men. That's why our country supported the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The UN General Assembly adopted CEDAW last 1979.CEDAW helps to eliminate any forms of discrimination against women. In commemorating their 25th year anniversary, I encourage all women to fight for their rights, because we are all equal in our human rights.

Back then, homosexuals already exist; only they are not accepted in society. But now, we are in a society where everything's accepted, everything that is "uso" is applied. But have we asked ourselves if we really consider them as the same human like us? Have we accepted them totally in our society today? Do we not discriminate and abuse them? I hope not! Most of them are really talented and have contributed much for the improvement of our society.

Prejudice against homosexual is ingrained in culture in the same way that prejudice against other minorities once was, but no longer to the same extent. One reason for the persistence of prejudice against homosexuals is linked to many people's religious belief. In most Christian religions, they condemn homosexual behavior. Because prejudice and discrimination against homosexuality is strongly rooted in religious beliefs, it has been quite (difficult) to change, particularly in highly religious countries such as the United States. Nonetheless, there has been increased recognition that even if such discrimination may once have been functional, it no longer is today.

We have come forth in this day when the responsibilities and opportunities, as well as the temptations, are the greatest. We are at the beginning of our journey through this mortal life. The decisions we make now will determine much of what will follow during our life and throughout eternity. I hope that we will make the right decision for the betterment of our society. What we are lacking and what we really need today is respect for each other. Let us all respect each and everyone regardless of our social status in life and regardless of our gender. Through this, love and peace will abide in us. This is what matters most.



Dorothy M. Detera
BLIS-2
University of San Carlos