Where is freedom?

I wonder if somewhere in our contract has a hidden provision that bars us, guest workers, from exercising the freedom of speech during our stay here. Because the CNMI is a democratic nation, one could only assume that freedom of speech is intrinsic. That means anyone can give their opinion or comment about an issue as long as what they say represent the truth and is not meant to maliciously destroy or hurt other people. But then again, perhaps I am wrong in my assumption.

For a long time, I have tried to deal with the emotional and psychological stress that I constantly get from listening to people who would call me to challenge my opinion, question the cause of the guest workers or worse, simply to tell me to keep my mouth shut or else. There are times when they would just call because something is written in the papers against the guest workers and they want to make sure that I read the article. Normally, those calls would come with a litany of how disrespectful the guest workers are for asking improved status.

A normal week would not pass by without getting least a few of those calls. It seems to me that what they are trying to do is intimidate me so I won’t say anything anymore or if not, they want to make me feel that I need to explain to them why I say or do something. For one thing, I noticed that all the callers are not even bold enough to give their telephone or cell phone numbers or much more, to give their names. They also call at their whims—early in the morning, late in the evening, during office, weekdays, and weekends. They call me at my house, my work and my cell phone. And so I ask. Where is freedom? Where is democracy? Where is respect? Or do I even have the right to ask these questions? Perhaps I should have learned by now that I could not expect to get any respect because I am only a guest worker. What is more sad is when I get this kind of bullying from a fellow Filipino or someone who claims to be one.

If these people who hate the guest workers cannot respect us as guest workers, can they at least respect us as human beings? After all, I’m sure love and respect are taught at their homes and most likely, in their churches.

I know this is your island and we are just guest workers here but that doesn’t mean you own us. I don’t think I can convince you to change your heart but I get comfort from knowing that someone more powerful is watching and will bless those who honor his first commandment which is “love thy neighbor”.