DISCRIMINATION is an international concern. Even in our own places, we tend to discriminate other people. Some merely take it simply as a joke, but for some it is offensive.
Recently, an article of ABS-CBN came out about the public altercation of two siblings that happened during an organized political forum. There was a particular comment in the article posted on Facebook that was highlighted and shared among netizens. A person made a comment about the color of the siblings associating with their conscience as black. Worse is that person mentioned a particular group of people–Igorots.
The Igorot Facebook users, including me, were alerted with the comment. It reminded us of how other Filipinos use Igorot as a derogatory term. I personally shared the same content and my fellow Igorots reacted as expected.
The issue here is not particularly on Igorots being discriminated but the reality that there are people who ridicule using a particular group of people without thinking of the impact it will create. Usually, people are being ridiculed based on physical appearances. Such descriptions are not only happening to the siblings but to other political leaders including even the president.
Is there something wrong with being black or white? Why is it always associated with the character? Why does physical appearance have more influence than the real personality of a person?
Just lately, another issue caused anger to most of the Highlanders when one legislator exclaimed that Igorots go down and make palimos. Some netizens expressed their negative take on the excerpt although others have accepted that some group did mendicancy in the lowlands but emphasizing that there are only few of them.
The answer will always boil down to our education system. We can blame education on why some people act or talk in a way not pleasing to the public. Let us look on educational textbooks being used in basic education, Indigenous Peoples are often illustrated with an emphasis on skin color, hair, and apparel. From childhood, Filipinos are being oriented on how a particular group of people looks like and eventually leading to discrimination. Our education system educates Filipinos to focus on physical appearances.
We should focus on the values and personality traits of the different group of people. In reality, we lack values and discipline and I believe it is high time for the government to consider a curriculum review for us to achieve our ideal society of Filipinos who passionately love their country and whose values and competencies enable them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to building the nation.
Written by Mr. Wilber G. Gondales, teacher-in-charge at Adaoay National High School Extension – Abucot, Eddet, Kabayan, Benguet