Critique Paper

Important article We Catholics are taught to show mercy and compassion to

others, especially those in need, and to value freedom and justice. But sometimes these
teachings are just words. The story of “Slave Family” serves to remind us of the
unpleasant truth or reality of being trapped in the vicious cycle of our society, that is,
slavery. Eudoxia Pulido, whom the author calls “Lola,” is just one of the many people
who experienced slavery and continues to experience it to this day. The hierarchy and
status consciousness ingrained in our society continues to worsen to the point where
slavery is somewhat tolerated, if not habitual. Whether we want to admit it or not,
Catholic education has become so liturgical and technical that understanding Catholic
doctrine, ritual, and faith has become more of an obligation than a genuine interest.
Some people live under the illusion that they are good Christians just because they
attend church or pray the Rosary, but in reality they do not take to heart or live by the
moral values they teach. This is similar to the author’s family in the novel, which was
considered a good example in the United States. Even if we are not the ones enslaving
others, most of us become complicit in this form of injustice because we either accept it
or are too afraid to face it. We all witness various evils in our daily lives, but most of us
ignore them because we are too scared to talk about them. We are afraid to challenge
social norms.
Over time, the “kasambahay” or “katulong” culture spread to the Philippines and other
parts of the world, where it is now considered the norm. However, some argue that this
type of culture should be eradicated because it is a form of slavery and servitude, while
others counter that it has provided many people, especially the disadvantaged and
illiterate, with jobs to support their families. It can be confusing. . Of course, this is
subjective and varies on a case-by-case basis. Because we cannot generalize that all
domestic helpers are treated like slaves. There are situations where helpers are treated
like family. I believe that dividing people into superiors and subordinates needs to
change in our culture, especially when it comes to employment. In the service sector, it
is unacceptable to place a high value on professional employment and hire low-value
workers. Each type of work or employment should be treated equally. In my opinion, the
expression “unskilled workers” should not be used. This is because professional jobs
require more intelligence than service jobs, which are more focused on physical labor,
but professional jobs require just as much effort and dedication as service jobs. This
shows how important our mindset or way of thinking is. Social stigma, prejudice, and
misunderstanding can be harmful when they bind our minds. Because our thoughts
shape our behavior, which in turn affects those around us.
This reminds me of the Cinderella quote from the live-action movie Cinderella, which I
really liked. “Just because something is done doesn’t mean you have to do it.” “It’s
simple, but it helped me understand. Sometimes it’s okay to challenge your beliefs and
stand up for what you think is right, even if those around you don’t agree.