RACIAL AND ETHNICAL

INEQUALITY

Definition of Terms

Race – group of people who havedifferences and similarities inbiological traits deemed by societyto be socially significant

Ethnicity – shared cultural practices,perspectives, and distinctions thatset apart one group of peoplefrom another

Prejudice – a negative attitudetoward an entire category ofpeople, often an ethnic or racialminority

Discrimination – the denial ofopportunities and equal rights toindividuals and groups because ofprejudice or other arbitraryreasons

Racism – refers to attitudes, beliefs, orbehaviours that favor one group overanother

Ethnic discrimination – treating aperson differently based on thenational/tribal culture they self-identify with

Racist – believes that certain peopleare superior, or inferior, to others inlight of racial differences; theyapprove of segregation

The Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997

Section 22, Article II of the 1987 PhilippineConstitution, Chapter 1 of RA 8371

“...the State recognizes and promotesthe rights of the indigenous culturalcommunities within the framework ofnational unity and development.”

SOURCE: NCIP

Anti-Discrimination Act of 2011

Senate Bill 2814

- A bill that would prohibit and penalize racial discrimination in the workplace, educational institutions, and services

“The Philippines does not formallyrecognize the existence of racialdiscrimination in the country...Weshould be able to avoidunnecessary prejudice and otherforms of intolerance and give equalopportunity to each individual toachieve his full potential as aperson and as a Filipino citizen.”

SOURCE: Sen. L. Legarda, Convention on the Elimination of allforms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) 2008

- The procedures for the resolution, settlement, or prosecution of racial discrimination acts would be drawn up by:

• Commission on Human Rights

• Department of Labor and Employment

• Department of Education

• Department of Health

• National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

• National Commission on Muslim Filipinos

• Civil Service Commission

• Department of Trade and Industry

• A penalty of imprisonment of ninemonths to 12 years and/or a fine ofP100,000 to P500,000 would beimposed on persons found guilty ofcommitting acts of racialdiscrimination

• Equal Opportunity Committeeswould also be established in publicand private agencies, corporationsand educational institutions

Philippines : Historical Development of Ethnic Identities

Through centuries ofintermarriage, Filipinoshad become a uniqueblend of Malay, Chinese,Spanish, Negrito, andAmerican.

During the fifteenth century, separatesultanates developed on Mindanaoand in the Sulu Archipelago.

By the middle of the sixteenth century,Islamic influence had spread as farnorth as Manila Bay.

Philippine national identity emerged asa blend of diverse ethnic and linguisticgroups, when lowland Christians,called indios by the Spaniards, beganreferring to themselves as "Filipinos“.

Philippine Racismby Manuel L. Quezon, Jr.

“Many Filipinos still believe the “white”man is superior to the “brown” man.”

“...Our national cohesion is alsoweakened by a very strangemanifestation of the colonial mentality– racism...”

“All subsequent scientific research hasshown that the human races are equalin intelligence and potentialities.”

SOURCE: The Philippine Graphic magazine (November 2, 1966)

THE FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE

Sociologist Arnold Rose (1951) hasoutlined dysfunctions that areassociated with racism:

• A society that practicesdiscrimination fails to use theresources of all individuals.Discrimination limits the searchfor talent and leadership to thedominant group.

THE CONFLICT THEORY PERSPECTIVE

From a Marxist point of view:

• Racism keeps minorities in low-payingjobs, thereby supplying the capitalistruling class with a pool of cheap labor

• Workers from the dominant groupwho demand higher wages can alwaysbe replaced by minorities who haveno choice but to accept low-paying

jobs.

THE SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE

• The contact hypothesis states thatin cooperative circumstances,interracial contact between peopleof equal status will cause them tobecome less prejudiced and toabandon old stereotypes.

• People begin to see one another asindividuals and discard the broadgeneralizations characteristic ofstereotyping.

“It is time we eliminated it byeducating in the minds of ourpeople and changing theirattitudes, not by a adoptinghaughty spirit...by making themrealize the truth that we are allFilipinos, that as a people we haveno inborn inferiority, that we havethe same inborn potentialities asother people...what we shallbecome depends under God, onwhat we make of ourselves.”

REFLECTION

- Manuel L. Quezon Jr., on Philippine Racism

Thank you and God bless :D