BLIND SPOT: Sense in Sensitivity

“Today’s world population consists of approximately 7.3 billion people and 20% of that (1.46 billion people) or one in five person is born with Sensory Perception Sensitivity (SPS), a genetic trait that is found in highly sensitive people (HSP).” “Dr. Elaine N. Aron a scientist along with her husband Dr. Arthur Aron are the pioneers in studying both sensitivity and love using functional magnetic resonance imaging.” Furthermore, according to Elizabeth François, CEO at Quality Care Services, LLC at Connecticut, USA, , “The Best Leaders Are Highly Sensitive”. (https://www.linkedin.com) Whoa, a machine that would measure a person’s level of sensitivity and ‘love’, we could use that on persons in community and public service. Like kids playing on railroad tracks, Filipino society is anticipating the rumbling of the TRANE Law or Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, which legislators claim to be their gift for the citizenry. While sipping more expensive soda, I was listening on analysis over a local news network that the brunt of the tax reform would be laid over oil excise tax, sweeping across all variants of fuel including kerosene, LPG, diesel up to the high end of aviation fuel, with an expected rise on fare rates for passengers. I had to gulp with the report of transport organizations’ petitions to hike up regular fare from 8 to 12 pesos, which if approved would make the PWD fare around 7.50. Well, of course, they still would have meetings, deliberations, public consultations and transport strikes, before the request gets a taste of approval and commuters catch a sight of new fare rates plastered across the driver seat’s rear. I guess the petition is justifiable. On a related note, the Ibon Foundation (an organization that promotes an understanding of socioeconomics that serves the interests and aspirations of the Filipino people) representative discussing over the tube, expressed support for the imminent jeepney modernization program, but highly underscores that it could have been handled with more sensitivity for small scale transport operators. Wait a minute, could I just pause and rewind that? It’s a good program but it’s being implemented, with insensitivity. Nutritive food being shoved down one’s throat will end up bruising the gullet despite the nutrition. “Protesting drivers believed that if the government would insist, the jeepney modernization plan could drive 600,000 jeepney drivers and 300,000 operators into unemployment.” (newsinfo.inquirer.net) Now, that gave me an idea for a Google search. On the President’s 60th day in office, the University of the Philippines Diliman University Council objected “to his support for the interment of the remains of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which betrays a lack of historical appreciation and an insensitivity toward the millions of Filipinos who suffered under martial rule.” (https://upd.edu.ph) According to Sen. Cheese Escudero, “the Duterte administration should correct its “officials,” whom he did not identify, for being “numb, arrogant, and insensitive” when it comes to dealing with issues hounding the bloody drive against illegal drug.” (newsinfo.inquirer.net) More than a year ago, “President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial remarks that drew parallels with his bloody war on drugs and Adolf Hitler’s killing of the Jews during the Holocaust were condemned as “insensitive” and “unjustifiable,”. (newsinfo.inquirer.net) And those are just samples. I never realized the current administration is so marked with insensitivity. “Why leaders fail: exploring the darkside”, a paper by Ronald J. Burke of the Schulich School of Business, York University, identified common causes of failure of leadership and possible remedial actions. Leaders that fail behave in ways reflective of their personality that limit or derail their careers. These flaws include arrogance, aloofness, perfectionism, insensitivity, selfishness and betraying the trust of others.”. “Solutions highlight the role of early feedback in reducing leadership failures.” (www.emeraldinsight.com) According to TJ Addington , “the acid test for a leader and for those who watch a leader are these: Is their leadership more about them or those they lead? Is it more about them or the mission they are perusing? In the pursuit of that mission, do they bring people with them or do they leave a trail of victims in their wake? Do they use people or serve people? Do they have empathy for those they lead or are they hard and insensitive when people get in the way of where they want to go? And here is a great question: Would those who have worked for them want to work for them again?” (leadingfromthesandbox.blogspot.com) But apparently, insensitivity seems to be the world trend today. In this day and age, state heads seem to find it casual to throw violent threats at another country, condescend upon marginalized groups, and label developing nations with a fecal exit point. Where has sensitivity gone? “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” Romans 12:15