The American-Indians have been known in modern media to have a strong sense of community and have often been depicted protecting their "lands", even in less-than-diplomatic ways. This time, however, a news article I've read may have placed them under a different light: a victim of discrimination.
The Iroquois are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America, particularly found in the United States and Canada. They helped invent the game, lacrosse. From July 15-24, 2010, the 2010 World Lacrosse Championship was held in Manchester, UK. But unfortunately, the Iroquois Nationals team was not able (allowed?) to participate in the event.
The UK has denied them entry into its territory for not having machine-readable, US- or Canada-issued passports. Not considering themselves to be citizens of the US nor Canada, the Iroquois lacrosee team, though eligible to get the passports, refused to acquire the said documents saying that doing so will be a "strike on their identity" as Iroquois people. After days of negotiating for their entry into the UK, the Iroquois Nationals decided to just forfeit their participation in the World Championships.
While some people may say that it is an "odd" and stupid decision to forfeit rather than just accept the papers, (One comment, read "Your people were conquered a very long time ago, get over it. Most of them are half white anyway") I admire the Iroquois for choosing what is more important to them. I admire them for letting go of a chance to win at a championship, and showing the world that they are champions of their own ideals.
May the Filipinos have the pride and the guts to do the same.
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