IT HAS probably cooled down already, the heat that was caused by the viral photo that proliferated on perhaps the most popular social networking site today (Hello FaceBook friends!).
Miss J, an FB user apparently had no inkling of idea how her post would dramatically and hugely affect one of the biggest group of indigenous people that if their reaction could be quantifiably and qualitatively measured, then it would have been enough to make the Cordillera mountains shudder in fury at such atrocity.
Being labeled, misrepresented, and discriminated because of our ethnic origin has been plaguing us for decades. Despite movements and efforts to educate the majority and enlighten them on who we truly are, ethnic racism is still rampant.
Miss J, an FB user apparently had no inkling of idea how her post would dramatically and hugely affect one of the biggest group of indigenous people that if their reaction could be quantifiably and qualitatively measured, then it would have been enough to make the Cordillera mountains shudder in fury at such atrocity.
Being labeled, misrepresented, and discriminated because of our ethnic origin has been plaguing us for decades. Despite movements and efforts to educate the majority and enlighten them on who we truly are, ethnic racism is still rampant.
Miss J underrated the prowess of mass media and how information could spread like wildfire. But she underestimated more the reaction of those she has insensitively angered. To crudely claim that Igorots are downright ugly is reflective of her character. What was even more irksome was the boastful manner in which she declared this and how she indignantly stood her ground when someone attempted to correct her ill notion about the Igorots.
I’m a true-blue Igorota, born and raised in these highlands. When I went to the Metropolitan to study, I experienced the usual discriminatory remarks that people make about the Igorots—pagans, uneducated, uncivilized, barbaric, dark, short, with tails, and the list goes on. At first, it really riled me to a point where I often retorted back with angst whenever they make these assumptions (but stated like facts) about us. Eventually though, it made me think that I was reacting the wrong way. I came to a realization that the obvious reason why I hear all these wrong notions about the Igorots is the fact that these people are very ignorant about their highland brothers. Either they were miseducated or the media has wrongly-portrayed our ethnic group hence creating these despicable impressions about us.
What was really interesting however was how the Igorot community reacted to this unsavory statement made by Miss J. Repulsion, indignation and over-the-edge resentment as to prompt the creation of a special page that would show the utter disgust of those concerned at the statement made by Miss J.
Others took it more subtly. Numerous people shared the same sentiments, the feeling of pity—pity for the ignorance of this girl. Makes one wonder if the content of history subjects being taught in our schools is sufficient in terms of substance and apt for the knowledge of students. How come there are still a lot Miss Js out there? (Local celebrity who came close to being declared persona non grata, anyone?) There are still a lot of people who are in the dark, evidently unaware of one of the Philippines’ most crucial part of history that led to the existence of the Igorots. Now this is what I call real unfortunate. It’s tragic how we cannot get away from racial stereotyping because we choose to be obstinate with our way of thinking. We easily believe in dubious claims made towards people whom we don’t even know about. Pity indeed.
I’m a true-blue Igorota, born and raised in these highlands. When I went to the Metropolitan to study, I experienced the usual discriminatory remarks that people make about the Igorots—pagans, uneducated, uncivilized, barbaric, dark, short, with tails, and the list goes on. At first, it really riled me to a point where I often retorted back with angst whenever they make these assumptions (but stated like facts) about us. Eventually though, it made me think that I was reacting the wrong way. I came to a realization that the obvious reason why I hear all these wrong notions about the Igorots is the fact that these people are very ignorant about their highland brothers. Either they were miseducated or the media has wrongly-portrayed our ethnic group hence creating these despicable impressions about us.
What was really interesting however was how the Igorot community reacted to this unsavory statement made by Miss J. Repulsion, indignation and over-the-edge resentment as to prompt the creation of a special page that would show the utter disgust of those concerned at the statement made by Miss J.
Others took it more subtly. Numerous people shared the same sentiments, the feeling of pity—pity for the ignorance of this girl. Makes one wonder if the content of history subjects being taught in our schools is sufficient in terms of substance and apt for the knowledge of students. How come there are still a lot Miss Js out there? (Local celebrity who came close to being declared persona non grata, anyone?) There are still a lot of people who are in the dark, evidently unaware of one of the Philippines’ most crucial part of history that led to the existence of the Igorots. Now this is what I call real unfortunate. It’s tragic how we cannot get away from racial stereotyping because we choose to be obstinate with our way of thinking. We easily believe in dubious claims made towards people whom we don’t even know about. Pity indeed.