Stance regarding "Jejemons" et al.
by Lualhati Madlangawa-Guerrero
by Lualhati Madlangawa-Guerrero
It all started when I walked outside to buy a quenching "Sago't gulaman" in a hawker stall. While buying, I sought scantly-clad people wearing their caps inappropriately, of clothes large or very large in size, listening to "Lumpenic"-inclined Rap music and standing by at the corner.
However,
These people, aside from calling them as gangsters, are also famous (or even infamous) for their text or online messages that can be seen around, especially on social networking sites such as Friendster, and even spread around their idiocy on the web by "tYpFing LyK diZS jejejeje," making all people viewing their profile raise their eyebrows out of annoyance-calling them as "JEJEMONS." and at the same time giving them a bout of heckling-especially on boys.
According to the website "Urban Dictionary", it says:
"1) Usually seen around social networking sites such as Friendster and Multiply, jejemons are individuals with low IQs who spread around their idiocy on the web by tYpFing LyK diZS jejejeje, making all people viewing their profile raise their eyebrows out of annoyance. Normal people like you and me must take a Bachelor of Arts in 'Jejetyping' in order to understand said individuals, as deciphering their text would cause a lot of frustration and hair pulling.
2) Jejemons are not just confined to trying-hard Filipino gangsters and emos. A Jejemon can also include a variety of Latino-Hispanic fags who enjoy typing "jejejejeje" in a wider context, much to the disdain of their opponents in an internet MMORPG game such as Ragnarok and DOTA.
3) Basically anyone with a low tolerance in correct punctuation, syntax and grammar. Jejemons are usually hated or hunted down by Jejebusters or the grammar nazi to eradicate their grammatical ways."
Aside from the definition given, these "Jejemons" are even considered a "by-products" of Cosmopolitanism, according to the writeup "Homo Filipinus? The modern Filipino as a social by-product of cosmopolitanism", it says:
"Mostly coming from the lower class, these lumpenproletariat, these people are greatly victims of social experimentation, of poverty and wholesale westernization to the point that they tried to act much of the west devoid of contradictions."
True, from their attire to their attitude, somehow it mirrors their class origins as a lumpenproletarian or a lumpenbourgeoisie, worse? Some tend to imitate-especially those who joined into the "flow." I really expect that kind to join as if it makes them "in" not noticing that it becomes as if a birth defect than a subculture they may enjoy. I may admire some rap music and some hip-hop artists, but mixing hip-hop and leet speak into a genre named "Jejemon?" Sounds desperate to me and those who condemn it!
But on the other side,
I consider these people, like gays, lesbians and other condemned creatures as humans. I may have criticized them, but then, criticizing does not mean destroying them nor advocating a physical extermination but rather, a part of remolding. These people may have time to criticize themselves and remold as they grow and eventually engaging themselves in assessing their once called trend they have joined. Like for example: They may have imitated Tupac Shakur, Francis Magalona, et al as Hiphoppers. But then they end up imitating Andrew E and Snoop Dogg of negating the ideas of the genre into a cosmetic like scene-just like what we seen on TV!
As for me, in assessing these things, I consider this as a part of studying contemporary problems, along empirical and dialectical lines in regards to culture. And these Jejemons? Considering that they are victims of social experimentation, poverty and wholesale westernization are in need of self criticism and reform through labor as possible as part of remolding, like the other post being said by a writer in regards to "Jejemons":
"1. Disarm them- most jejemons use their boastful and "bragging" personality because of the threats in their personalities that they are recieving from "Jejebusters". So in order for them to talk nice, we must talk nice too. Patience is also important.
2. Tell them the consequences of being a Jejemon- Some Jejemons would not care about the impact of that "pseudo-subculture" in the society. But some would. If they don't care, let them go. Do not answer flames. These Jejemons don't deserve trolls. (Unless you want someone to talk to..)
3. Educate them- tell them what are the benefits of typing properly and post things how to do it."
Somehow this kind of idea is good, but then as humans, they are in need of care and rejuvenation in order to break its own from the cycle. I may respect them as hiphoppers, but they make the genre suck because of themselves-for the pseudo-subculture meant this according to some who preferred remolding as its means:
"Alphabet & language--downgraded by-->Jejemons--downgraded by-->Jejebusters--dowgraded by--> Anti-Jejebusters/Poser Jejebusters."
For sure some hiphoppers may criticize them also! Remember Chuck D? He even called the genre as 'elitist' then now these "Jejemons" are acting blind and deaf or bereft of ideas while bragging themselves? True is the word of the critics who called them dumb, but then they are in need of help-and only reform through labor can do so for that in order to break it. I may have criticized them but I don't think much of exterminating them but rather engaging them in a struggle session and remolding in order to regain their self consciousness like those of former alcoholics and drug users. All of these are a part of struggle, they are victims-and thus in need of help to recover themselves.
Jejemon is far from a subculture nor its not even inspired by hiphop too, for hiphop and leet speak combined makes a culture dumb or nearly unpopular in other person's eyes.
However,
These people, aside from calling them as gangsters, are also famous (or even infamous) for their text or online messages that can be seen around, especially on social networking sites such as Friendster, and even spread around their idiocy on the web by "tYpFing LyK diZS jejejeje," making all people viewing their profile raise their eyebrows out of annoyance-calling them as "JEJEMONS." and at the same time giving them a bout of heckling-especially on boys.
According to the website "Urban Dictionary", it says:
"1) Usually seen around social networking sites such as Friendster and Multiply, jejemons are individuals with low IQs who spread around their idiocy on the web by tYpFing LyK diZS jejejeje, making all people viewing their profile raise their eyebrows out of annoyance. Normal people like you and me must take a Bachelor of Arts in 'Jejetyping' in order to understand said individuals, as deciphering their text would cause a lot of frustration and hair pulling.
2) Jejemons are not just confined to trying-hard Filipino gangsters and emos. A Jejemon can also include a variety of Latino-Hispanic fags who enjoy typing "jejejejeje" in a wider context, much to the disdain of their opponents in an internet MMORPG game such as Ragnarok and DOTA.
3) Basically anyone with a low tolerance in correct punctuation, syntax and grammar. Jejemons are usually hated or hunted down by Jejebusters or the grammar nazi to eradicate their grammatical ways."
Aside from the definition given, these "Jejemons" are even considered a "by-products" of Cosmopolitanism, according to the writeup "Homo Filipinus? The modern Filipino as a social by-product of cosmopolitanism", it says:
"Mostly coming from the lower class, these lumpenproletariat, these people are greatly victims of social experimentation, of poverty and wholesale westernization to the point that they tried to act much of the west devoid of contradictions."
True, from their attire to their attitude, somehow it mirrors their class origins as a lumpenproletarian or a lumpenbourgeoisie, worse? Some tend to imitate-especially those who joined into the "flow." I really expect that kind to join as if it makes them "in" not noticing that it becomes as if a birth defect than a subculture they may enjoy. I may admire some rap music and some hip-hop artists, but mixing hip-hop and leet speak into a genre named "Jejemon?" Sounds desperate to me and those who condemn it!
But on the other side,
I consider these people, like gays, lesbians and other condemned creatures as humans. I may have criticized them, but then, criticizing does not mean destroying them nor advocating a physical extermination but rather, a part of remolding. These people may have time to criticize themselves and remold as they grow and eventually engaging themselves in assessing their once called trend they have joined. Like for example: They may have imitated Tupac Shakur, Francis Magalona, et al as Hiphoppers. But then they end up imitating Andrew E and Snoop Dogg of negating the ideas of the genre into a cosmetic like scene-just like what we seen on TV!
As for me, in assessing these things, I consider this as a part of studying contemporary problems, along empirical and dialectical lines in regards to culture. And these Jejemons? Considering that they are victims of social experimentation, poverty and wholesale westernization are in need of self criticism and reform through labor as possible as part of remolding, like the other post being said by a writer in regards to "Jejemons":
"1. Disarm them- most jejemons use their boastful and "bragging" personality because of the threats in their personalities that they are recieving from "Jejebusters". So in order for them to talk nice, we must talk nice too. Patience is also important.
2. Tell them the consequences of being a Jejemon- Some Jejemons would not care about the impact of that "pseudo-subculture" in the society. But some would. If they don't care, let them go. Do not answer flames. These Jejemons don't deserve trolls. (Unless you want someone to talk to..)
3. Educate them- tell them what are the benefits of typing properly and post things how to do it."
Somehow this kind of idea is good, but then as humans, they are in need of care and rejuvenation in order to break its own from the cycle. I may respect them as hiphoppers, but they make the genre suck because of themselves-for the pseudo-subculture meant this according to some who preferred remolding as its means:
"Alphabet & language--downgraded by-->Jejemons--downgraded by-->Jejebusters--dowgraded by--> Anti-Jejebusters/Poser Jejebusters."
For sure some hiphoppers may criticize them also! Remember Chuck D? He even called the genre as 'elitist' then now these "Jejemons" are acting blind and deaf or bereft of ideas while bragging themselves? True is the word of the critics who called them dumb, but then they are in need of help-and only reform through labor can do so for that in order to break it. I may have criticized them but I don't think much of exterminating them but rather engaging them in a struggle session and remolding in order to regain their self consciousness like those of former alcoholics and drug users. All of these are a part of struggle, they are victims-and thus in need of help to recover themselves.
Jejemon is far from a subculture nor its not even inspired by hiphop too, for hiphop and leet speak combined makes a culture dumb or nearly unpopular in other person's eyes.
