Proud Igorots, Discrimination and Philippine Education

 This “proud to be an Igorot” has been going around in social media for a few days 

Photo Source: A Brief Introcution to Igorot Culture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmfUGvWZr1o

now, and thousands responded to the call to use it in their posts. You see, the Igorotlandia unite against an unjust treatment to their kind, or rather, a bigoted perception of their identity. However, it is unfortunate that we do not see a similar united movement when big corporate interests want to plunder their resources. Sometimes we ask - where is the Igorot pride when machines are boring holes into their mountains? 

Anyway, these information in different 

educational modules approved by DepEd should be taken and understood on the context on which these are used. 

We do not just pick a small portion of the information and cry discrimination. We have gone a long way from when we were treated as sub-humans. The 1987 recognizes the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) consolidated into a national law, these rights that are recognized by the Constitution and by international law. Anti-discrimination policies are being adopted, albeit with so much challenges in relation to Indigenous Peoples rights. We continue to combat misinformation about Indigenous Peoples that sadly persist to these days, but we must do so without becoming bigots in the process.

 

For instance, the information says that “Igorots are short, dark-skinned and have kinky hair”. We should counter by saying, no, that is a wrong information, because that describes our brothers and sisters along the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. We do not say that it is a wrong statement because Igorots are good-looking. Taking this line of argument discriminates our Aeta/Agta brethren as it implies that being short and dark-skinned and having kinky hair is not good looking. That is stereotyping against other Indigenous Peoples.

 

On another hand, when a question in a book asks if it is right to bully an Igorot because of his appearance or clothing, does this immediately equate to discrimination? What is the context of this question? If it was asked to teach a person how to act rightfully or wrongfully in a situation, I would understand this to teach the students what is right and wrong, and teaching them that it is wrong for anyone to bully an Igorot for whatever reasons, is a positive action to address the historical stereotyping in the educational system.

 

What I am saying is, I am against any form of discrimination and I am a staunch advocate for the full respect of Indigenous Peoples rights. But I would be circumspect in assessing what are intended or have the result of discriminating, and what are actions that are well-meaning. 

 

These educational modules should be criticized objectively. We denounce those that are obvious misinformation, but we acclaim what are intended or could result to addressing the historical discrimination.