Discrimination: To construct or destruct?

            To discriminate does not always mean to judge. It is our ability to see distinctions and differences between objects, subjects and concepts. Sometimes, we use discrimination in a negative way. For example, I am a native person from a remote province here in the Philippines and studying in a private school. My skin color is different from the others and my classmates who have likely similar skin tones will discriminate me that can lead to my depression. I always encounter discrimination in a negative way. Like what I have said, many people can’t understand each other’s differences, whether physical appearance, intelligence, attitude and other aspects.

            Experiencing discrimination isn’t easy. It forced me to accept my imperfections and differences from the others. I experienced being discriminated when I started swimming. My skin color changed from white to brown after weeks of training. Sun block lotions cannot protect my skin for two hours or more in the pool. At first, I never felt that I am criticized by others until my siblings started teasing me “negro”. Then others also started laughing at my skin color.

BEFORE

AFTER

            I am quite annoyed to people who discriminates me, but I know in myself that I can handle my emotions and should only execute proper actions. Dealing with those discriminators is not easy at first. You may be downgraded and depressed after hearing those words which may hurt you terribly. When I was in elementary, I remember that I answer back to my discriminators that will hurt them also. Now, as a more matured person, I deal with it by keeping silent so that they will be tired of repeating it again and again.

            I learned that it is not good to fight back to others who discriminates me because it cannot relieve your hurt feelings. If you believe that discrimination exists, it will. I realized that I should look on the positive side of being discriminated. If we do not want to be confused, we should look on things that are not complicated. Like in Math, simplest form is best. Lastly, we should watch our words in judging someone. As Martin Luther King Jr. said 

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”