Mga pilipino, Racist nga ba?

Racism in the Philippines remains a complex and multifaceted issue shaped by historical, cultural, and economic factors, characterized by pervasive discrimination against minority groups and manifested through colorism—a preference for lighter skin evident in media, beauty standards, and employment. This differs from the more volatile history of racism in the U.S., as it is often treated as humor or casual ignorance rather than a serious issue. Much of it stems from colonial influences, particularly from Spain and the U.S., which ingrained a preference for fair skin and Western features. This has led to colorism and racial stereotypes that persist today, often appearing in jokes and everyday language. While some consider Filipino racism as harmless or unintentional, it still reinforces biases that affect how people perceive and treat others based on race.

However, the issue goes beyond lighthearted teasing. Certain behaviors, such as using racial slurs, mimicking accents, or making assumptions about people based on their ethnicity, reflect deeper biases that contribute to a culture of prejudice. These actions may not be rooted in hatred, but they still undermine other cultures and reinforce discrimination. The lack of racial diversity in the country has made many Filipinos unaware of how their words and actions can be offensive or harmful, even if not intended that way.

Ultimately, racism in the Philippines, though often dismissed as casual or unintentional, should not be overlooked. The normalization of racial stereotypes, even in humor, perpetuates prejudice and insensitivity. Recognizing and addressing these ingrained biases is essential to fostering a more culturally aware and respectful society. Rather than defending these attitudes as tradition or harmless fun, it is important to acknowledge their impact and work toward change.

In the Philippines, ethnic Chinese people who immigrated or are tourists, get some attention due to the troubling history of China in the Country. According to the 2022 results of the Morning Consult poll, 45% of the respondents of the poll in the Philippines had a negative rating on China and its citizens. There are several factors that contribute to this, one of which is the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea conflict. Due to this ongoing conflict, several discriminations against Chinese citizens resulted from this, and even Filipino threats of kidnapping Chinese nationals are reported. Ultimately, this issue of Philippine Xenophobia has gone far long enough and will continue to worsen in the upcoming years. 

Sinophobia in the Philippines or the fear or hatred towards China and its people has been heavily accused by China due to the many disputes that the two countries are currently fighting. Because of this, cooperation and trust between China and the Philippines has been hard and the stereotypical belief that China is a power-hungry nation has been intensified even more. Chinese-Filipinos are feeling oppressed due to the subtle or indirect discrimination that they have been experiencing from other Filipinos. As problems from China gets worse, the more that Chinese-Filipinos or immigrant Chinese are affected from the decisions of the Chinese Government.

The Moro or the Muslim ethnic group are people with the religion of Islam. They most commonly live in Mindanao, where some parts have autonomous power in the Philippines. However, that does not mean that the Moro do not experience any kind of discrimination by other Filipinos. Due to the several acts of terrorism that were experienced by the country, some Filipinos have the belief that Muslims cannot be trusted. In an example on a Facebook post where a witness in a bomb terrorist attack described the suspect as “Muslim type”. This racial profiling sparked protests and rage in the Muslim community, stating that “Not all Muslims are terrorists. Some are. Not all Christians are terrorists.”

Muslims have been victims of red-tagging or the labeling of being called as terrorists, communists, or subversives. For instance, simple misinterpretation of a Muslim character in the “Batang Quiapo” television series is still wrong due to the portrayal of Muslims as “discriminatory, harmful, and derogatory”. Additionally, the foods in some prisons violate the Islamic dietary laws as they do not have enough Halal or lawful food options for the Muslim inmates that occupy the facility.

Racism in the Philippines towards Black Americans has been a concerning issue, with instances of discrimination both online and in person. Filipinos have been criticized for casually using the N-word, often without understanding its painful history. Sarah Meier, writing for the Manila Bulletin, stressed that this word is never acceptable for non-Black individuals, regardless of context. She emphasized that respecting the struggles of the Black diaspora should be reason enough to avoid such language. 

More recently, Filipino basketball player Ray Parks called out Filipinos who directed the N-word at content creator IShowSpeed during his visit to the country. Parks condemned the behavior as “ignorant, disrespectful, and downright embarrassing,” urging people to “do better.” 

Blackface has also been a recurring issue in Filipino media, often appearing in TV shows and advertisements. While this practice has faced growing backlash in Western countries, it still occurs in parts of Asia, including the Philippines. A report from Vice noted how blackface continues to be used despite its deeply offensive implications. 

Efforts to address these issues have been growing. Musician AJ Rafael has been vocal about confronting anti-Blackness and internalized colorism within Filipino communities, encouraging people to reflect on their biases and work toward change.

While not all Filipinos engage in this behavior, these incidents highlight the need for education and reflection to create a more respectful and inclusive society.