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The era of stigmatization ends now.

No more mocking of people of color. No more shaming of the differently-abled. No more laughing at people with unique gender identities.

In this issue of The Grain, let the different stories about “inclusiveness” break the barriers between the ordinary and the extraordinary, the black and the white, the rich and the poor, and everything that keeps us people apart.

WHO THEY REALLY ARE

In the following articles, backgrounds, identities, abilities, and beliefs are highlighted as important factors in promoting inclusiveness within schools, where everyone is welcome in a safe environment. While some changes may happen overnight, creating such a new and secure environment can make a significant difference.

GIVE AND TAKE

San Jose City National High School has nearly 5,000 students, each student playing a vital role in their own unique way of expressing themselves. However, there are some who are exceptional and deserve respect and appreciation from others in order to receive the same treatment that you gave.

BELONGINGNESS CHOOSES NO ONE.

Everyone should be equal because at the end of the day, we all are still humans who strive to maintain humane actions every day just to have a peaceful life. When a student feels a sense of belongingness, they are more likely to be motivated to excel in class, in spite of diversity experienced by many that can sometimes become a hindrance. EVERYONE HAS A STORY.

Indeed, there are a lot of things to experience in life. There will be challenges, achievements, breakdowns, and failures along the way, despite the fact that everyone has a unique story to write, your ink should be filled with smiles.

Together, we can break the barriers. We can be more open and welcoming, loving and understanding. Together, we can make our school and even the world a place where everyone can live in freedom and peace.

Words are powerful. They have the ability to shape our thoughts and actions towards others, be it good or bad. As Filipinos, we have a long way to go towards acceptance and inclusiveness. For that to happen, we need to consider some of the harmful terms that we need to unlearn.

In this article, we will discuss some of the harmful terms that we need to eliminate to create a more equitable and just society. Based on a survey conducted by The Grain, here are some words we must avoid in 2022: Labeling Persons with Disabilities as Worthless or Burden

Persons with disabilities have impediments, or impairments in some parts of their body, but it doesn’t mean they are useless. In fact, some PWDs can still create art, play chess, teach, work, and can do these things with much precision. All they need is an equal opportunity and they can thrive.

Using the word “Autistic” to describe people with unique characteristics

Some people use this term to describe a person with autism, or anyone who acts in a different way. It is often used in a negative sense, implying that individuals with autism are inferior or abnormal. However, autism is a brain condition, and people with autism are just as capable and valuable as anyone else. Using person-first language, such as “person with autism,” emphasizes that the person comes first rather than the condition.

Using the term “Bakla” as an insult

In the pre-colonial Philippines, the “bakla” hold a respectable reputation in the society. Some of them become shamans who perform rituals and heal the sick. Others marry men or women. Our ancestors, in fact, were more welcoming of these people in the past than most of us today are.

10 Words We Need to Using this Year

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It was only at the time of the Spanish colonization when the “bakla” lost the respect of the society, and it was due to the harsh measures that the Catholic Church had imposed on these people. They were called witches or priests of the devil, and were punished by being burned. Even though that practice is no longer observed today, its impact on the way our society views gays or homosexuals remain the same.

And one of these is using the term “bakla” to refer to a man who is soft-spoken, effeminate, or emotional. This doesn’t only hurt people’s feelings, but it insults other sexes that are considered marginalized as well.