ANTIMANO, DIVINE M.

PHILIPINE POPULAR CULTURE

BSN 2-1 ACTIVITY # 8

REFLECTION PAPER

Race and ethnicity are commonly mistaken from each other because of their overlapping
encompassed notion. In this module, the researchers clearly identified the differences between
two. Race is described as more on biological attributes of a human being such as hair, color and
facial structures, while ethnicity is defined as cultural. Ethnicity emphasizes more on norms,
values, practices and beliefs. It’s hard to draw the line between the two because both are social
constructs.

Prejudices commonly arise due to various cultures. People with other culture thinks that their
culture is more superior to other culture. In the module, reporters discussed about prejudices in
our society focusing on social status and race.

Different individuals have differing social class and these differences have different impacts on
each of their lives. In our society, we cannot deny that if you have money or your social status is
high, you tend to receive lots of benefits and everything seems easy on you. Privileged people
has no problem with their daily living. However, if you’re poor, you’re on the lowest chamber of
the society, daily living seems hard. You need to work hard just to put a grain of rice on your plate.
This is heartbreaking to see that one who needs help the most is the one who’s tormented in this
unfair and ill-minded world. Justices are only for the rich people. The poor has no right to speak
and to receive fair judgement. The poor are deprived of their rights. People’s respect are based
on one’s social status.

Just because of our differences, for example in race, the negros were seen as dirty, poor and
inferior. People receives unfair treatments and their rights as humans are deprived. They are not
allowed to join with other race, they can’t receive the benefits that other race can freely avail, they
are being bullied and they are not permitted to enter in some establishments. In some countries,
racism has become so severe to the point that they hurt other people, they kill people for simply
existing.

In my perspective, racism is like a virus that spreads and destroys the humanity. The idea of
racism and superiority is gibberish! Some people thinks that they are entitled to step on someone,
they think that they are superior just because of their social status and race. When in fact, in the
eyes of science and of God, all people were created equally. They are just social constructs
created by the people that separates us. This racism and injustices should stop. We cannot
achieve our dream to have a peaceful world if we still cling into this idea of racism and superiority.

Perhaps a revolutionary change is needed. People should learn and accept that we are unique
and created equally. Even us, with ourselves, we cannot deny that we have our own prejudices.
That’s why, we need to start from ourselves first. We should be the advocates who fights for the
right of the people. The cries of those victims of racism and injustices must be heard. Let our
voices be the one who change the world.