Chiiiink!, black!, ratchet!, are some of the common words that I hear everyday. Questions like "do you really eat dogs?" or "where did you learn to your English?" are some of the most frequent questions I receive from people who are trying to know more about me. Well, I can't blame them for being curious but some of this words or questions are pretty disturbing because they occur frequently from time to time and i don't know how to classify them.
As I take my course in college which is English 115 I accidentally stumbled to the answer to my question. I learned about microaggresions, it is an indirect attack to a person's ethnicity or race that is caused by curiosity of another. There are many kinds of microaggression but to narrow it down, I would say there are two types. The first one is "conscious" where a person is trying to insult a person because of his bad mentality of that person's race or ethnicity like when Manny Pacquiao wins against a Mexican boxer, some boxing enthusiast that seems to notice that I am Filipino start a conversation with their friends saying "Filipinos get their strength by eating dog meat!" and I know they are trying to make me hear it. The more common one is "unconcious" which is most of the time sparked by curiosity this are the questions I find "disturbing" before because I don't know how to react when I come across with one like "did you come here to be a part of the navy?". Learning Microaggression really broaden my understanding of other people especially when they ask me questions about my race. I also learned to double check the question in my mind that I'm about to ask to other people before asking because they may take it differently than what I really meant. Discussing microaggression thought me how to deal with those people who tries to get on my nerves because they are immature, I don't take those people seriously anymore because in the end its not what they say that can hurt you, its always how you deal with what they say.
I definitely recommend learning microaggression or simply learn why people do it. I definitely recommend taking a course that can go across this topic or simply reading some articles about microaggression. Learning this topic will make you a more well-rounded when it comes to this issue which will save you time and stress.
The world we live in today is cruel, unfair, and unjust. Problems are all around us from small things like you lost your direction, to major ones like having no one to cry on when the whole world just start making you feel alone. Problems are just unavoidable and we all need someone to run to when we need a helping hand. Kapwa is the solution to all problems, Kapwa is a Filipino core value that means having each others back. Kapwa is applicable to everyone around you even total strangers. To make it simple, Kapwa is being selfless towards your fellow being. if you can't get what I'm trying to say then imagine yourself being in the Christmas-season-mood where you are very nice to everyone you meet that's the closest thing I can compare to Kapwa. I practice kapwa every day that it became a part of my instinct. I remember when I was a kid my parents always buy me a bunch of food when we are going to the park and play. They then let me go by myself and play with other kids and tell me "don't forget to share your food with them okay?" and I always smile and say "sure!". As a kid they thought me how to share what I have and I grew up with it.
As I grow up
I realized, If every single person will practice Kapwa then no one will be in deep trouble, no one will starve out of love, no one and no one will be poor. As I continue to meet other people I realized that treating someone in a selfless manner can change them. A year before we migrated here in the United States I had a friend who I treated like a real brother. I always back him up whenever he is in trouble and he backs me up too but after a while he became a liar by making up situations like "bro can you do my assignment for me? because I need to visit my friend in the hospital" or "I don't have money to buy food can you buy me some? ill take care of the food tomorrow" (but he never does) at first I turned a blind eye on him, I trusted him since he is my friend plus it is in my instinct to help. After few months of turning a blind-eye on him I started to space out from him since my Kapwa value in me will just turn him to a worse person. I learned a lot from that experience and made me realize that every great value have their own drawbacks.
Kapwa is a strong value, you can start by sharing a seat to an old lady in the bus, or by sharing your food to your friend! I promise you that the feedback you get after doing Kapwa will make your day. just be mindful that it can also change the way people take you, especially the people close to you.
Chiiiink!, black!, ratchet!, are some of the common words that I hear everyday. Questions like "do you really eat dogs?" or "where did you learn to your English?" are some of the most frequent questions I receive from people who are trying to know more about me. Well, I can't blame them for being curious but some of this words or questions are pretty disturbing because they occur frequently from time to time and i don't know how to classify them.
