The pandemic has become a challenge for society. Various news causes panic that trigger everyone to change their lifestyle, to be wary of each other, to increase security guards, to have limited activities in a circle of fear because many people lost their jobs, then the threat of poverty. News of vaccines distribution brings hope for the community, but an anxiety and question come up whether Corona will disappear from human life or we will live with it.
This
situation makes us wonder, what happened actually? Whose responsibility is it?
During the pandemic, the discussion space became a fear for every community in
all parts of Indonesia. Therefore, young people are encouraged to think
critically even after the pandemic hit. Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta with students
held a Book Review and Discussion on Tuesday (01/06/2021) to reveal a
book entitled Zaman Otoriter:
Corona, Oligarkhi dan Orang Miskin (The Authoritarian Age: Corona,
Oligarchy, and the Poor) by presenting Eko Prasetyo, the author, as a
resource person and Rev. Bambang Sumbodo, S.Th. M.Min, Board of Stube-HEMAT.
The discussion also commemorated the 76th anniversary of Pancasila, where the
celebration is usually identical with ceremonial activities, ceremonies in
schoolyards, singing the Garuda Pancasila song, and marching. Stube HEMAT
Yogyakarta did differently, by doing a book review with students to add insight
and be 'literate' to the phenomena around them.
In the opening of the discussion, Ariani Narwastujati, the Executive Director of Stube HEMAT, sparked participants to look around, criticize and ask the right sources, especially during the pandemic that threatens the economy and national disintegration due to radicalism. Next, the participants sang the anthem Indonesia Raya and Garuda Pancasila to rebuild togetherness as one nation. As a student study space, Stube-HEMAT presents a different way of book discussion, by allowing students to present the contents of the book, section by section, as well as providing some input and also questions about the contents of the book. In the prologue section, the question of 'Pandemic or Why the Poor Can Only Die', conveyed the government's initial response to the coronavirus in Indonesia, until finally, panic occurred in the community. The first part, 'The New Order Era', revealed that the panic in the corona era that is happening now is identical to the panic during the New Order Regime. The second part, 'Oligarchy Authoritarian Power' discovered the power possessed by a small group of people who influence in making policy decisions, acting as if defending the people but having benefits for the group. The third part, 'Created poverty' as a result of the greedy oligarchs where the distribution of welfare is uneven and only benefits a group so that poverty is created. And the part of reflection, 'Everyday Authoritarianism' which summarized that the pro with the people has not realized yet and deceit to the people are still happening in this country.
In
response to the book review, Eko Prasetyo greatly appreciated the Stube
HEMAT-style Book Discussion concept, where students who came had previously
read the book and even gave criticism of the book. It is a lively dialogue
between the author of the book and the reader. Eko admitted the book contents
are the expression of his personal experience in seeing pandemic cases, and the
book is dedicated to students. According to him, the student phase is the most
appropriate time to voice the ideal of democracy. How students as the nation
youths have a responsibility to defend the truth, voice justice for the sake of
goodness, and the truth must be a milestone for the common good in the life of
the nation and state of Indonesia.
Then, what kind of truth is expected? Start trying to filter and uncover lies from small and simple things, continue by voicing the truth by remaining sensitive, and continuing to think critically about the phenomena that occur in the surrounding. Reflective question for the participants and young people: do young people dare to expose lies and speak the truth? Let's prove it. ***
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