Daniw

Indigenous people: the fabric of global humanity 08/15/2012 Indigenous People The Fabric of Global Humanity By Hillol Ray Historians of all ages agree that the colonization Construed the violation of human rights- While the New World saw the racism, Massacres, starvation, and the "Indian fights"! Such practices today, known as the ethnic cleansing And genocide, are still going on- And seem appalling 'cause subjugation Was legally sanctioned from dusk until dawn! As per indigenous law, indigenous interests Can hold native title with restrictive clause- While the law introduced by Euro immigrants Obscures native title via excuses and flaws! Indigenous peoples were truly marginalized Without allowing them any turn around time- By dominant descendents of Europeans Who valued indigenous lives with nickel or dime! The harshness of this fallacy caused some people To disappear or become victims of race- And still feel separation from their lands While allowing sadness to permeate global face! Indigenous peoples, forcibly separated from their heritage, Continue to tackle the fears- Of poverty and marginalization, loss of culture And language, followed by trail of tears! Social problems like alcoholism and suicide Are creeping in to suppress the hidden pain- Among the indigenous peoples, lying below The social structures, and without any gain! Threatening from political upheavals and Civil wars are creating tantrums in their mind- While modern conservation policies protect the animals, But keep these humans behind! Being driven out of homeland, they became unable To lead life in their traditional way- And facing hardship with assimilation While modern world is not fast enough to sway! Language, religion or cultural beliefs of theirs Are object of ridicule and found in the tale- While the values, inherent to their knowledge, Is unrecognized and going down to hell! To curb down discrimination against them, My pen is scribbling under moonlit night- And vows to draw global attention To their problems before they become out-of-sight! I appeal to the "dominant community" To embrace them with passions and heartfelt love- And allow them to live as fabric of global humanity With blessings from the Lord above! Well, as I conclude with my thoughts, I can view a glittering star on the horizon now- And hear a whisper from the United Nations That stands ready with its' priority vow! The progress towards reconciliation is a necessity To enforce the rules without a flaw- While violators of human rights must be punished To show that no one is above the law!! Milestone Garland, Texas, USA ray.hillolk@gmail.com

name	datestamp	comment	rating
Jasmine Astudillo Rosete	8/23/2012 3:00:40 PM	Deep, incisive, biting. It really delves into the core of the matter. Beautifully written... Thanks for this, Mr. Hillol Ray.	5
Feliciano Jr. Urbanes Galimba	8/16/2012 4:40:50 PM	Mr. Hillol Ray, sir, it is my greatest pleasure to join Allyssa Mae in thanking and commending you for your selfless efforts at helping create awareness -- through the power and magic of your pen and your words -- about environmental concerns such as pollution control; habitat and human rights concerns; and yes, about us, the indigenous peoples of this world! Mr. Ray, sir, on a much lower plane, I am pleased to inform you that I, too, in my own limited means and capacity, have been doing my share in trying to help foster and uplift the socio-economic and political conditions/situation obtaining among our fellow indigenuous people living in the highland/upland communities in the Northern Philippines. As a writer/journalist like you, I have been publishing a community news-magazine since 2001 called the UPLAND ILOCOS HERALD. The UPLAND ILOCOS HERALD is a quarterly news-magazine published in Ilocano, English and Tagalog and circulated/distributed in the Upland Municipalities and other contigious areas in the Ilocos Provinces, all in the Northern Philippines. The HERALD is also distributed elsewhere in the Philippines and overseas, particularly in those countries where native or homegrown sons and daughters from the said upland municipalities are presently based, whether as OFWs or as immigrants or permanent residents. As a community news-magazine engaged in public journalism and which seeks to serve, among other goals/objectives, as “The Voice of the Highland Communities in the Northern Philippines”, the HERALD is basically a non-profit, non-goverment and non-sectarian undertaking. Being so, funds for its production/publication are being sourced largely out of contributions, donations, grants, endorsements and other forms of assistance from patrons, donors, contributors and other well-meaning friends, individuals and organizations or groups both here in the country and overseas. In the spirit of volunteerism, all officers and staff members, including editors, columnists, correspondents and contributors and Overseas Bureau and Representative Office Managers and their staff serve this publication for free. In furtherance of what I consider my self-imposed mission at this stage of my career as a writer/journalist, I have been conducting seminar/workshops on basic/campus journalism — pro bono — for elementary and high school students and out-of-school youth, not only in my hometown but also in adjoining upland municipalities in the province of Ilocos Sur and to some extent, in Pasay City and Quezon City, both in Metro Manila and in Bacoor, Cavite, all in the Philippines. And Mr. Hillol Ray, I am very proud to inform you that Ma. Lovely Jane Galimba (a.k.a. Allyssa Mae Tuazon) is my daughter.	5
Hillol Kumar Ray	8/16/2012 9:21:35 AM	You are welcome, Ms. Allyssa Tuazon, for your feedback. Over the last four decades, I have been trying to create awareness about the Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, Environmental pollution solutions etc. through my poems, speeches, and interviews on Radio nd TV. Recently, on August 10, 2012, at 11:00 AM (EST), I was interviewed by Ashford Radio from New York. May I share the press release with you and other readers as well. Regards and best wishes always... Here's the press release: "We all have a responsibility to take care of our planet. It is important to make sure that we have a clean healthy environment for the next generation to live in. The crimes of pollution that are committed all over the world are unjustifiable, but yet not enough people will take a stand and try to stop these horrendous acts from happening". Ashford Radio is proud to present Hillol Ray, a man who has the notion that we are all accountable for our actions on this planet. Hillol was born and raised in Calcutta, India. Since the age of 6, he has been writing poetry in his native language “Bengali”. One of his poems titled “Earth Day” made him an "overnight sensation" and it has been published worldwide. Former President Bill Clinton wrote him a letter of personal recognition due to his poem. He was the winner of NFIA Award from U.S.A in Liberal and Fine Arts, and the "Leading Scientists of the World in 2008" from Cambridge, England. Please join Ashford Radio in welcoming Hillol Ray on August 10, 2012 at 11:00 am EST show. If you have any questions, or would like to order copies of the show after it airs, please call the following number: 516-222-2266 ----- Ashford Soical Media, Inc. Ph. 516-222-2266 Fx. 516-493-9548	0
Allyssa Mae Aguirre Tuazon	8/15/2012 8:57:52 PM	Mr. Hillol Ray, sir, thanks ever so much for sharing this with us. For someone who prides herself as belonging to an indigenuous or ethnic group/tribe like me, your poem speaks a lot towards our cause. Mr. Ray, sir, again, thank you ever so much!	5