Neil
Ad Lao shared on Facebook her exasperation with social media influencers doing “#TaongGrasa challenge” which is called to be insensitive, disrespectful, and harmful.
She said that this “#TaongGrasa challenge” is problematic, and should not be tolerated.
First, she said that the challenge makes those economically disadvantaged a laughing stock and puts them in the position to be judged instead of sympathizing with them.
“It ridicules the economically disadvantaged, reducing them to nothing but comical stereotypes instead of actually acknowledging their struggles and their existence as people who still deserve respect and who have thoughts and feelings just like us,” Lao said.
Also, it imposes harm to the poor as it will mold the perspectives of people to belittle them.
“It poses serious harm to the people of lower economic status as more will view and treat them as the savages or animals they are being portrayed as in this challenge,” she said.
She also believes that it will normalize and increase the possibility that the economically advantaged will be discriminated against.
“It normalizes and worsens the discrimination against the economically disadvantaged, and it would make it even harder for them to have even their most basic needs taken seriously,” the Facebook user said.
Lastly, she presumes that it also raises discrimination against black people.
“This challenge literally normalizes black-face, a racist act done by darkening the skin to imitate, discriminate, or mock the people who naturally have really dark skin themselves,” she said.
As the “#TaongGrasa challenge” trended online, many expressed their anger and dismay with people doing this challenge.
https://twitter.com/bkuhoe_/status/1269484288900100096
Can people stop doing the “Pulubi/taong grasa” challenge? It’s very insensitive and offensive to those who actually experience poverty. If you see a post regarding this issue, report please. (I won’t cover her name kasi obviously, the post is publicized) pic.twitter.com/sXIDYDVCcL
— zed (@jzrxsm) June 10, 2020
been scrolling through facebook and seeing this "taong grasa challenge". you ppl who have done it may think it's cool bc it's a trend and u r supposed to be admired but iT'S NOT!!!! IT'S INSENSITIVE AND STUPID THAT U THINK THAT POVERTY IS A JOKE/TREND.
— pride month representative ♡ (@MaronValdez6) June 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/badette_meow/status/1271074959238942721
"Taong Grasa Challenge" is problematic & a mockery to the struggle of the poor in a repressive society❗
There's nothing funny on the de-humanizing conditions faced by the poor in this laddered system❗
Ang pagiging dukha ay hindi isang kapalaran, kaya walang kasaya-saya dito❗
— 𝑱𝒆𝒌𝒐☭ #JoinCEGP (@triofficial_) June 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/chzljn/status/1271058298939125768
Recently, I've seen a lot of posts in my fb feed about "Taong Grasa" challenge. This is A BIG DISCRIMINATION against homeless people.
PLEASE, IF YOU CARE FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE, RETWEET THIS TO INFORM EVERYONE THAT THIS CHALLENGE IS A DISGRACE! pic.twitter.com/krczNGzLbM
— Ian Brant (@SimplyBrant) June 11, 2020
I don't really care if you're bored af. Doing that Taong Grasa Challenge is just low. 😠
— JM Dangane (@jmdanganemd) June 11, 2020
While these people living below the poverty threshold struggle to survive every day, it is sad to know that there are insensitive people who use them as subjects for mockery and discrimination.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744619136274126&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744619169607456&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744619199607453&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744619232940783&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744622329607140&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744633436272696&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744633596272680&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744635712939135&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744635742939132&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=744657909603582&set=pcb.744619252940781&type=3&theater
Not only it belittles those economically advantaged, but it also a form of racism towards the black people as they are using black face in the said challenge.
