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Fil-Ams, buckle up, I got a story to tell 
(THREAD)
* I am bringing this up (during the decolonization talks) in an attempt to show that fighting anti-Indigenous shit trains us all to better combat anti-Blackness in our ranks.
* this ain’t abt identity, but accountability
(THREAD) * I am bringing this up (during the decolonization talks) in an attempt to show that fighting anti-Indigenous shit trains us all to better combat anti-Blackness in our ranks.
* this ain’t abt identity, but accountability
Y’all remember my slides about this (in my pinned tweet) but let me give a small reminder w this one abt why we don’t use black&white photos taken by colonizers AND about calling in brands (this is where the story is headed)
So I respond to this post from an IG on the west coast @/kampeonco - mind u I’m not the first person to speak up to this account. But regardless I thought, alright, maybe they’re ready for a public dialogue.
(Narrator: they were not)
(Narrator: they were not)
No response from Kampeon, but plenty from some troll-looking accounts. I ask multiple times if K is willing to allow this, a page meant to support the community. Nothing.
I am called “dumb”, told that my mom “must live under a rock”, “just butthurt”, “not a minority”.
I am called “dumb”, told that my mom “must live under a rock”, “just butthurt”, “not a minority”.
Honestly, more disturbing than stupid comments is the profit. This person not only used B&W photos (there’s several), but ALSO profits off the likeness of Apo Whanh-Od, with no transparent collaboration or intention to pay her.
Also a mask? While filipinos die of Covid?
Also a mask? While filipinos die of Covid?
Y’all get why this is disturbing right? It’s a common pattern: 1) claim to know/share history 2) appropriate and erase Indigenous groups and voices 3) make money off of it.
My problem is that it’s just the same handful of Igorots in diaspora having to defend our tribes/selves
My problem is that it’s just the same handful of Igorots in diaspora having to defend our tribes/selves
like that’s not okay. I’m tired. But most of all, this clear lack of empathy for Indigenous peoples makes me worry. If decolonizing means STILL oppressing others, is the work to combat complicity & anti-Blackness really being done?? Sadly, no.
My ask: unfollow, call out him and posts like the ones I shared so it’s not just IPs doing it, AND - encourage the community to spend their money elsewhere. Forget the Apo Whang-Od T-shirt and instead buy from Black brands!!!! We can support our folks but consciously.
I’m a frustrated bean, who is quickly realizing that speaking on the internet comes with serious challenges. I love to pretend that I laugh off the trolls, but I don’t. I sit, for hours, contemplating how to turn my anger into useful discourse. This is all I got. Hope it’s heard.
