I write this not for myself but for the other non-white teachers who feel the same every start of the school year. While others merely stand there as decorations with their golden hair and blue eyes, I have to literally tear myself apart for them to see how good I am as a teacher.
I was informed that I cannot be a teacher at a bigger school because I am a non-native English speaker, same as with the qualifications for work applications and interviews. Though given an opportunity to teach, the base salary is far inferior than those who comes from the West. This scenario was also evident when I was working in my home country. There was a huge discrepancy between locals and foreign hired. Giving the latter additional benefits is fine as long as the base salary is the same since we all do the same kind of work.
It's a sad tale to tell every year but this is a reality in life. I can always shrug my shoulders and dismiss this but in the end, it is the choice of those parents who wanted 'the perfect scenario' for their children. If deemed appropriate for a westerner to nurture the needs of their children then they have the choice and the right to choose. Though they also have the right and the choice to move out if they think that being coloured means of inferior quality.
Colour should never be the basis for quality education. Looking beyond the outside is far better than judging someone's physicality or looks. This is going to be one hurdle I cannot win because it is a fact of life.
looking what is beyond the surface-thats what most of people fail to do. Sometimes, its too late for some to have realized that they should have done that--look beneath the surface.
ReplyDeleteFor those people or parents or admins who have judged you for your skin color and your hair are totally missing one of the best teacher this world can ever have and its just but fair that you simply dont care about them too. The search for greener pasture may be a bit difficult but definitely, the best thing is yet to come, and you must have yourself available for it. Pray, for God only has the answers-yes, no and wait and He knows your heart.
Happy weekend Cher Jo!
Stereotyping is a norm of the society. It is sad to think that there are so many intellectual teachers out there but deprived of the job because of "stupid standards" when it comes to physical looks and color. And another thing, being "Asian" doesn't mean being weak. Being branded as caucasian is offensive and a load of heck to these pharisees.
ReplyDeleteTrue. The (sad) reality of life.
ReplyDeleteAnd we have to bear and accept this harsh reality. Anyway, wala naman dapat patunayan, for as long as you have a clear conscience and you're doing the best that you could, it's ok for me. Secondary na lang ang 'salary' (although nakakasama talaga ng loob minsan)...
Anyway, just like what you've said, kahit saan naman (kahit sa society sa Pinas ay may 'discrimination'...People will judge us. Ganyan talaga. Acceptance na lang!
Sad reality.
ReplyDeletesa mga call center din . Kapag white ka grabe ang taas ng salary . more than triple. to think na kayang gawin din ng pinoy yung giangawa niya or sometimes greater pa nga.
Given the fact that the industry really needs person who has a good communication skill , Di ko pa rin makita yung point bakit ganun -_-
Anyway , Just shine and prove them that you are more than worthy of your profession :)
It's a sad thing that these things also happen sa field ng education. I don't that was because of the profession alone, but rather because of racism and discrimination in general. Kahit naman sa medical and engineering field may ganyan. You just have to prove yourself you are better than them in spite of your skin color. You must learn not be shaken by their displaced authoritative demeanor.
ReplyDeleteMasakit man tanggapin pero yan ang truth about our society. Hindi talaga maiiwasan ang mga taong tulad ng binanggit mo dito sir Jonathan, yung mga klase ng tao na tumitingin lng sa panlabas or pisikal na kaanyuan ng isang tao. Naturingan pa naman din silang may mga tinapos at napag-aralan, pero anyare? Ni hindi nga sila marunong makipag kapwa tao eh. I'm sure naituro naman sa kanila yan sa paaralan, ang wastong pakikipag kapwa at huwag manghuhusga base lamang sa panlabas na kaanyuan.
ReplyDeleteSigh... ignore na lng natin ang tulad nila... kung sa tingin nila ay di tayo importante sa kanila, mas hindi naman natin kailangan ang mga taong gaya nila lol
Sa mata naman ni God, pantay pantay tayong lahat. Kaya always look up lang and follow the sun!
I saw this went on top of my blog roll when I was about to step out and I can't help but to take a quick peek because I know reading this will "make my day". And it did!
ReplyDeleteI guess I need to come back to share my say about the content because I remember that we talked about something related to this Jonathan during our short but sensible meet up...
Hi yccos,
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult for me to see being treated unfairly for the qualifications we have to offer matches those that are of different race. When I started working in one school I was paid around 200 for an hour and thinking I was getting a lot, learned that the others were getting 400. I asked for a raise and after some time, they gave me four but learned again that the others were given a raise as well. It never end up being the same. Then I gave myself a pat at the back and says, better than having no job.
I pray and one of the prayers is that I get to be in a place where I will be happy. My journey, from the last post, talks about this dilemma, thus the new posting. I will pray harder, thanks Kat, much love to you.
Hi Orville,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to offend anyone thus I removed the word Caucasian for lack of a proper word while writing the post. Stereotyping is alive everywhere and my blood boils whenever I hear negative things about being a Filipino wherever I go. But life must go on.
Hi Ric,
ReplyDeleteAccepted ko na naman but when I am rejected because of my colour, masakit. This posting is actually a sensitive issue but I am just speaking my thoughts and feelings. I hope changes can be madeI also hope the coming 2015 Asean Open Eco will bring better hopes to all.
Hello bagotilyo,
ReplyDeleteAlam mo there was this story I always share to people. A colleague of mine speaks with a British accent and she was interviewed on the phone and was accepted. However, when she showed her face and they found out she is from HK, they took the offer back saying they needed someone who looks western. Sad, sad, sad.
Yung mga call center people, they speak stupendously perfect that you wouldn't even believe that they are from the Philippines. Ano ba ang criteria sa receiving calls, kulay? Mahirap noh?
I do shine, thanks to all my supporters, the children and parents. Hindi lang naman iisa ang school, napakadami niyan around the world.
Hello Geosef,
ReplyDeleteYou must learn not be shaken by their displaced authoritative demeanor. - I am learning but I find rejection difficult to accept and process.
I know I am good. I know I am capable but when I hear things like, no you're not a NES, no cannot be. Pakulay ba ako ng buhok? Paano na lang buhok ko sa braso at binti, puwede bang pakulay mga yun?
Hello fiel,
ReplyDeleteTitingin sana ako sa sun, eh umuulan naman, sigh! (Joke lang po!) Salamat sa mga encouraging words.
Nang naghahanap kami ng admi sa paaralan namin, may nag-apply na French, hindi daw puwede kasi hindi native speaker. Nag-apply yung British, wala daw educational background. Nag-apply yung qualified na Amerikano, hindi daw puwede kasi lalake. Nag-apply yung Pinay na babae at qualified, hindi daw Canadian. Wala tuloy kaming school head.
Ang gulo!
Hello Ms. Balut,
ReplyDeleteWhile teaching a student at home, my phone signalled an incoming message and it was from you. After reading your comment, I was teary eyed and my student asked me why I was crying. I told her that I am blessed with so many kind hearted people who understands my plight and willing to share their sentiments and encouragements.
This is one reason I cannot leave blogging as well.
Oh.. hayy dito sa states my anti discrimination law..peron alam kong kahit saan meron pamring racism. Na para bang hindi na matatanggalnsa systema ng tao.....
ReplyDeleteEven here in Europe, racism is not tolerated and punishable by Law pero meron at meron pa ring lilitaw na mga bulok na kamatis sa grupo ng mapupula at makikinis. Ibig sabihin kahit san ka mapunta meron paring nagdidiscriminate. Ako sa Field na nagwowork ako, 2 lang kaming pinoy, sa una nakakarinig ako ng mga konting panlalait at patalikod na mga panlilibak. minamanmanan lahat ng kilos ko, so ang ginawa ko imbes na mainis. inignore ko lang at pinagbuti trabaho ko. pagnakarinig ako ng mabagal daw, NeXT time binibilisan ko pero siempre epektibo ang resulta dapat. basta do Your best lang, Your good way of teaching and the kind of person you are towards the kids, magrereflect yan. Have an annual or by sem ba yun evaluation, what do kids like about you and Your teachings. then spare a wall where you can post iwhat they wrote. let the other teachers and parents visit and see it for themselves. God bless, keep Your head up high and be proud of who and what you are!
ReplyDeleteHi Kamilkshake,
ReplyDeleteYung friend ko nga ayaw na ayaw bumalik sa Australia dahil ang lakas daw maka-discriminate. Applying for a work eh mahirap. Kulay muna ang tinitignan bago qualifications. Kahit naman kasi sa local schools, may prestige kung puti yung guro nila.
One example nga, may mga nanay at nagbibidahan kung saan galing ang guro ng kanilang mga anak. Nanliliit ako at that time. Buti na lang magaling akong teacher, yabang lungs!
First of all Gracie, love ko yung idea about the board, magawa nga yan. Naka blog lang kasi yung mga comments ng magulang at estudyante, ma-print nga at gawing mantra everyday.
ReplyDeleteSecond, dalawa kaming pinoy sa escuela. Last year, nag-request yung isa na dagdagan ang kanyang suweldo dahil nagmumukhang siyang trainer ng mga bago niyang kasama. Na-compare yung salary niya with the local. Nabanggit ng may-ari, bakit ka nag-cocompare eh sa Pinas ka din lang galing. Sobrang galit ko nuon ng marinig ko yan tapos ng malaman ng may-ari, humingi ng paumanhin.
Kahit saan siguro meron ganon. Dito naman ay may ganon din. I remember noong ma appoint akong leader dito sa activity center where I work now ay yong kasama ko sa work ay di matangap. Makikita mo naman sa mga kilos. Well ,ngayon ay nag retired na sya at so far ay la naman ako problema. Ako ang first pinay na nag work dito sa nursing home, but now 8 na kami. They like us kasi mababait at masisipag daw kami:)
ReplyDeletenakakalungkot man kuya, kahit anong larangan may discrimination... pero siguro po ang best nalang gawin is prove them wrong? :))))))
ReplyDeleteYes, life must go on - that's so Filipino. I believe that ours is the best race in the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteOo naman, I cannot change things but I can change my attitude and perspective, masakit nga lang ang katotohanan. Thank you for this comment.
Hi Orville,
ReplyDeleteA lot of people acknowledge that, so we should be mighty proud of our race.
Hello Ms. Joy,
ReplyDeleteKung alam lang nila kung gaano tayo kasipag pero hindi sipag ang batayan ng application, mukha at kulay for some. Hanap na lang ako where I will be happy.
Ah the same scenario din dito... pag blue eyes at blonde, mas malalaki sweldo, mas maraming benefits... Sa unang tingin ko dati I feel intimidated, pero nong makasabayan kong magtrabaho, isang malaking NGYEH?! Kulay lang talaga at height nagkakatalo eh!
ReplyDeletesome people can't help being superficial, nonetheless, it's up to us to prove our worth... it's a relief you continue to battle with this form of discrimination without losing pride in your own being... students must be honored to have you as their mentor.
ReplyDeleteKahit anung industry ng trabaho talagang may discrimination. I hope it stops. Pero reality check mukhang malabo. People considered inferior are forced to prove themselves first before maapreciate. Well, everything has a reason behind it.
ReplyDeleteHi Unplog,
ReplyDeleteTama, nakatayo ako kanina kasama yung puti tapos sinabi ko sa sarili ko, kulay lang naman ang diperensiya natin bakit mas mataas suweldo mo eh mas malaki responsibilidad ko sa iskul. Ewan!
Hi Erica,
ReplyDeleteI survive every year because of the parents who chose and stayed in school because of me. The sad part is that it is difficult to find a new one because they do not know your work ethics and diligence at work, they look at the colour first. :(
Hi June,
ReplyDeleteOo nga everything has a reason at sana naman maging fair ang lahat sa mga darating na panahon. Hindi naman tayo pahuhuli sa galing at abilidad!
I already talk to dr. Belo for whitening ur skin sir jonathan para ndi na mangyari sayo ng mga ganitong diskriminasyon lols ,
ReplyDeleteSeriously, its everywhere khit hindi asian ..... Tatagan lng tlga loob at galungan na lng lagi
Sagot mo ba Josh ang gastos. O bayaran mo muna at hulugan ko sa iyo. Isama na ang pagpipinta ng buhok at contact lens na may kulay.
ReplyDeleteTatatagan ko na nga lang. Anyway, madami pa naman akong kakampi. I will probably ask each and every parent to write me a recommendation letter.
Pak! yan talaga yun.. simple but rock! ayos ka Sir :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Rix!
ReplyDeleteBumalik ako para magbigay ng serious na comment tapos nabasa ko yung comment ni Kulapitot eh natawa talaga ako ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteAnyway Jonathan isipin mo na lang na "they can never put a good man down". Kahit ano pang preference nila sa kulay kung makikita nilang magaling ka talaga dadating din yung time na they will shut their mouth. Tiis lang ng konti kasi part na yata talaga ng pagiging Filipino yan. Kasi naman nasa 3rd world na nga tayo kung ano-ano pang masasamang balita ang nadagdag... haaay...