The insolence of an ungrateful alien

NB: This article is a reaction/open letter of the blogger to Mr. Herdy La. Yumul's article on http://riknakem.net/2013/08/06/for-speaking-ilokano-3-students-expelled-by-christian-school/

Photo courtesy of http://anti-oppressive-education.uregina.wikispaces.net/

Dear Herdy,

 

I just read your article about the three young students who were kicked out of school for speaking our native vernacular—Ilokano.

I am saddened and at the same time alarmed to learn that those students enrolled in that school (Saviours Christian Academy, Laoag City) are arbitrarily deprived of their right to speak in their local tongue, within the school premises.

Over the last decade, as our country grows more diverse, mostly from the influx of recent immigrants, we are seeing increased number of cases of language-based discrimination, particularly in schools and in the workplace. English-only rules, accent discrimination in hiring or promotion practices, and lack of translation of safety information are some of the common complaints—all of which are constitutive of coercion and deprivation of the right to freedom speech.

For Mr. Brian Shah, he has a responsibility to be culturally aware of his students and encourage diversity. His immersion in this country and him being an alien, should strike a chord on him of the respect and admiration we have accorded to him when he first set his foot to our land. Thus, such respect and admiration should be also reciprocated with high regard to our heritage as Ilokanos—as we speak naturally, the vernacular Iluko despite of some of us being educated with Spanish, French, and English languages.

It is shameful that people discourage others from speaking their native language. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone had the freedom and right, to speak their own language in public without fear of persecution from those that cannot understand them and have no desire to do so? Some day it may be illegal to speak Ilokano or Iluko in this province. Logically and in case of doubts, then just remember that English is not the native language of Ilocos Norte.

By the way, the 1987 Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech as the political right to communicate one's opinions and ideas using one's body and property to anyone who is willing to receive them. It includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used—and that should mean to include all kinds of vernacular including Ilokano. Such right is accorded to all human beings, young and old. In fact, freedom of speech and of expression is a universally recognized human right.

In one case, the Court declared that it is incompetent for the government to prohibit the teaching of the German language to students between certain age levels since there is nothing inherently harmful in the language that will impair the upbringing of the child, and in fact, such a subject could improve his academic background.

Relative to this, speaking of Ilokano within the school premises should also be viewed the same way, as “there is nothing inherently harmful that will impair the upbringing of our children if they speak in Ilokano.”

Simply put, to educate children on our native tongue is an imperative. In fact, in these times when children are exposed everyday to myriad of information in the television, internet and other mass media, it is even past the time to ask if the inclusion of the Ilokano language should be discussed in formal education. Why? Because Ilokano or Iluko is a recognized form of verbal communication.

The development of our children is a concern of all institutions in the society especially the schools who are responsible in teaching and molding them. It is in schools where we partly or wholly entrust the future of our kids.

The act of Mr. Shah in dealing with the three young people is a reminder to all of us that such a type of oppression still exists. I hope, that this example of ignorance will not be forgotten and may all of us continue to move forward while creating a world that fosters children to embrace their heritage.


Sincerely,

Anton