From Fillipino Congressman Mong Palatino…
When the Michael Jackson single “They don’t care about us” was released fourteen years ago, it immediately generated controversy after Jewish groups pointed out that the lyrics of the song (“Jew me, sue me”) has a tinge of racism in it. The pop superstar was forced to apologize by removing the controversial lines in a new recording.
Jackson did two music videos for the song: the first video was shot in location in a Rio de Janeiro community in Brazil to highlight the plight of the poor and the second video was shot in a prison to dramatize the rampant human rights abuses in the U.S. Despite his good intentions, Jackson was accused of exploiting the conditions of the poor for commercial gain.
Fast forward to 2010. Jackson’s long time choreographer arrived in the Philippines to train about 1,500 inmates from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center on how to perform the dance drill of the controversial 1996 song which was seen by the public in the smash-hit “This is it” concert film. The widely anticipated performance of the Cebu prisoners was uploaded on youtube in time for the DVD release of the film.
It is aptly ironic that the same Jackson song which drew accusations of racism; the same song which have two videos that overexposes poverty and human rights violations, was the chosen song for the Jackson tribute performance of Cebu’s famous dancing prisoners.
Were the prisoners informed that the song was penned by Jackson to make visible the human rights abuses in society? Were they aware of the music video which was shot inside a prison? Did they realize that Jackson’s choreographer taught them the dance moves not in behalf of the Jackson estate but through the sponsorship of a commercial recording label? Was the choreographer conscious of the fact that many of the prisoners in the Philippines are guilty of poverty crimes and most likely his Cebu trainees are also victims of a biased and unfair judicial system?
Filipinos are amused over the global popularity of Cebu’s prisoners but this dancing spectacle deserves to be probed if it really benefits the prisoners.
Do prisoners have the right to refuse if they are chosen to be part of the dancing group? Do they receive compensation? If they stopped dancing, will prison reforms also stop? Jackson fans are impressed with the disciplined dance moves of the prisoners but we should ask if prisoners are punished if they commit mistakes during the practice sessions.
Cebu prisoners gained worldwide fame in 2007 when their rendition of Jackson’s Thriller dance went viral on youtube. Because of their internet exposure, the dancing prisoners quickly became a tourist attraction in Cebu. Like tourists in a safari cruise, foreigners visit the provincial detention center to witness amazing and sometimes hilarious dance moves of the “tamed” prisoners. Maybe tourists will tell their friends that dancing is a good therapy for wild animals, rapists, and murderers.
The dance routine was originally conceptualized by prison officers as a form of behavior conditioning. Then it became a money making event. Dancing prisoners are happy since they claim to enjoy more benefits than other non-dancing prisoners. The incentive to dance is not really to practice art but to receive better prison treatment. Dance to impress visitors to generate funds. Dance to eat more regularly and sleep comfortably. Dance to make the Philippines famous in the global arena. Prisoners are exploited since they have no choice but to obey the instructions of their officers: dance or else. What is doubly painful is that prisoners are enjoying the exploitation.
It is an odd lonely spectacle. Prisoners dancing in front of judicial authorities and the satisfied officials reward the subjects with token reforms and the usually forgotten promise of reviewing their pending cases. Prisoners have to use their bodies if they want to attract the attention of concerned officials. Prisoners have to work harder and please more people if they want some of their basic rights restored. Is prison reform the real desire of the prisoners? What about justice? Freedom?
No one will admit it but Cebu’s dancing prisoners represent many Filipinos who dream of making it big in the global village. What many Filipinos desire is the approving gaze of the colonial masters. Like the Cebu prisoners, they sing and dance and perform many spectacles in the internet to catch the attention of Hollywood, CNN, and other global media icons. They become heroes if they are praised by western critics. Oh yes, the subalterns could sing and dance, and mimic their western idols. This seems to be the new Filipino dream. Surprise the world by acting, singing and speaking in a non-Filipino manner. Prove that the colonial subjects are capable of reproducing what the masters are doing. Say hello to the world. Sing like a white diva and rock star. Serve the master well and maybe the loyal servant will inherit the master’s fabulous wealth in the future.
Mong Palatino is a youth activist and Member of Philippine Parliament representing Kabataan Partylist. He can be found at his blog or via email at mongpalatino@gmail.com.
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I have to admit I never really looked at it this was, the whole colonial appeasers thing is heavy, but I see your point. Its the classic Zoo concept, with tourists paying money top see the elephants.
Yet another example of how tourists unintentionally do more bad than good by visiting certain attractions or doing certain things. Just like getting their picture taken with “tame” (drugged up) animals. Sickening.
hmm? no ones been horrifically insensitive yet?
“DANCE PUPPETS DANCE!”
but seriously this is pretty tragic
And people get to live with less food, smaller homes and fewer benefits if they don’t work. This is just another form of work for them.
One of the worst parts of prison is the crushing boredom, Its something for them to do. Is it any surprise that many sign up for it?
I think the title gives a negative impression that was never explicitly stated in the article. What if the title was rephrased to “Inmates of a prison in Cebu, Philippines are given more food, bigger beds and many benefits if they choose to dance to Michael Jackson songs for tourists”? The article only says “Dancing prisoners … claim to enjoy more benefits than other non-dancing prisoners” and that the dance “became a money making event.” It never says that the dancer’s added benefits come at the expense of the non-dancing inmates; for all we know the extra revenue generated could be the source of additional benefits for the dancers as compensation for their time and cooperation.
I’m glad to see the talented and hardworking are being rewarded. They should get more food, they are working harder and deserve it.
Jesus. In that situation, I’d beg for a firing squad. There’s only so much “Billie Jean” one person can take.
This is absolutely ridiculous.
>What is doubly painful is that prisoners are enjoying the exploitation.
Ask any of the dancing prisoners if they enjoy having more food and luxuries or if they would rather go back to the time before they could dance for money to improve their situation. People in this world should take the opportunities they are given to make a better life for themselves. I’m assuming you would rather have them refuse anything good they may receive due to your anti-western idealism.
They don’t even have any food much at all in the prisons there. They mix rice with water to make it stretch. Consider most people are poor there as it is , prisoners get little food. A lot of them die from infections diseases they could be treated.
The legal system is corrupt, no finger printing, or dna evidence Its mostly a lynch mob for a court system.
Oh and even better , a women was driving down the road and kid ran out into the busy and street and she hit/killed him. keep in mind its a busy main highway, unlike here, when that happens its up to the family of the dead child to press murder charges or let them go, so they have to shower them with money, in order to avoid murder charges.
The old prison I heard was much better, it was called BBRC. Dancing has always been part of Cebu’s culture. You guys should check out Sinulog festival. If your concern about the food yes its crap but most prisoners get food and water brought in from their family everyday. If you dont have friends or family then your out of luck. Government allocates $.50 for every prisoner per day. Thats fish and rice.
That is fucking horrible.
It would be fine if there were no innocent people in that prison but we know that is never the case.
In other news,
Inmates of a prison in North Korea are given less food, smaller beds and threats of firing squad if they do not work hard in labour camps.
Really, dancing is hardly the worst thing a south east Asian country can do to its prisoners.
It’s not thing worst thing in the world to be made to dance, but if they are punished for not doing so its a bot messed up. Beyond the dancing, the fact that its a Micheal Jackson song and they are forced to perform to onlookers thats when it gets out of hand!
It’s probably better than being anal raped in US prison systems. Look it up on youtube.
What the fuck, people actualy visit favelas for tourism? That’s one of the last places on earth I would want to set foot into. At first I thougth you were joking but I googled it and people actually pay money to tour a favela. I have a couple brazilian friends who told me some really nasty stories of these places. You migth as well tour a warzone.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the number of sensible comments in here..
As a general rule, I’m against poverty tourism (e.g. visiting favelas, etc.), but the author of the article has mentioned that a lot of these crimes are poverty crimes and thus the prisoners are being kept there unfairly and this is as yet unknown. This should have been verified and not speculated on.
In any case, as someone that lives in a third world country, I assure you that there are plenty of poor people that get by without having to rob people. They find a way. It is unfortunate that some might see themselves as being driven to it in order to survive, but not every person living in poverty that robs did it out of necessity. It is also unfortunate that some find themselves in prison for those reasons, but the author frames his point of view around the erroneous notion that they all are. He poses a lot of questions regarding their treatment and assumes the worst possible answers. He should have obtained the answers prior to writing the article.
Perceived fairness or unfairness of their imprisonment aside, I daresay they would appreciate an activity to be dedicated to whilst locked up, as well as the improved treatment as a result. Perhaps the positive behavioural effects will remain once it’s all done. Their wrongful imprisonment -if this is indeed the case- is another issue completely.
Either way, more facts are needed before turning this into a human rights rage.
Um… If the prisoners enjoy dancing, then how the fuck is this a problem? If was told that I had a choice between A) a consistent schedule, added perks, possible fame, and a chance to learn from famous choreographers vs. B) a boring repetitive life stuck in a cell, no benefits, no excitement, and zero skill building then I would definitely chose A.
They should start a TV show where various prison-dance teams battle against each other… LOL…
Those are some smooth criminals
Check out the action you’re getting on reddit.com. Keep in mind reddit is filled with self-important rubes who are mostly American
http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/cw6rb/inmates_of_a_prison_in_cebu_philippines_are_given/
Sound reasoning for better treatment in general.
Conceptually though, you should take the challenge to rewrite with the frame of reference of the prisoner/townspeople included. Good ideas, wherever they come from, are still good ideas. Think of the commercial aspect of exploitation as the engineer and the scientist’s role of figuring out how it works is conducted by the people in and around the area of demonstration. Dancing and income are the elements leftover to be implemented or tossed aside to their best use. No rules say they have to play the “role” you outline in the “colonial edicts” to the fullest.
PS Most prisoners would give a hand to get out.
I am still confused exactly why this is a bad thing. If the inmates are given better treatment because they provide a commodity that people pay to see, and thereby create revenue to help fund the prison system that they them selves are a part of; is this not a win-win situation? Or is it just because that it is done in a relatively poor area that makes it an issue?
This type of prisoner organisation is done all over the world, even in the US. License plates are made in prison, and how do you think our highways stay fairly clean. There was a warden that removed cable TV, coffee, and other such privileges. Gave his inmates a choice to work or not. Many of the inmates choose to work, and received nothing for there time except the ability to relieve the mundane life of jail. In doing work however they benefited themselves because their revenue funded the system that then reciprocated it back to them though more self beneficial channels, such as, GED, college, and trades certification. That makes them a value to society both in, and once released from prison.
Still hard to believe Michael Jackson is gone
I think that can be said of prisons anywhere. Prisoners will vie for privileged positions in the prison community. What constitutes a privileged position will vary from prison to prison. In this particular prison, it is the dance squad. Some prisons in the United States have a drama group.
I think what should be focused on, are the human rights violations in general, not the creative programs.
their f’n prisoners they’re lucky not being executed.
Human rights abuse? Are you kidding me? I thought that once you have committed a crime against humanity certain rights are taken away from you.
I believe these prisoners are actually doing better than others. Years ago and still in some countries, hard labor is given to prisoners. Other rehabilitation centers will put you on a straitjacket, force feed you, perform electroshock therapy and you complain about prisoners dancing?
On the issue on dancing for money, since you are a congressman, I would assume you know how much budget is allocated for prisons in the Philippines– It is not enough. At least these people are doing something to improve the facilities. What about you Mr. Congressman? What have you done to improve the conditions of these prisoners in and out of prison?
Same old trash talking from a so-called social activist. Pass a bill in the House instead of grandstanding or inciting your brainwashed herd to more annoying rallies in the streets.
i dont know what are you thinkin by writing this but of course just like the others to gain fame!!! you think you analyse the issue well but where if your proof to your claim…
if they are dancing for better food, better bed, better amenities then is that a problem!!!
i totally disagree with this! they don’t make this as a money making thing.. i am a cebuano myself and ive seen them performed.. WE ARE NOT REQUIRED to pay anything! and this doesn’t mean that prisoners who doesn’t dance means they are treated in a bad way. Of course dancing inmates are given an EXTRA or better treatment because they exert more effort.. ITs is pretty much the same in the outside world.. People exert extra effort are more compensated compared to those who just do nothing
yeah…it’s so embarassing how other people look onto it…anyway there’s no problem with prisoner’s dancing..? how could someone make this as an issue.?
please watch this video:
http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/latest/65117/saksi-cpdrc-inmate-killed-in-beating-allegedly-because-he-refused-to-dance
it’s an august 20, 2010 news report video from a major TV channel in the philippines. a dancing prisoner from cebu was killed because he allegedly refused to dance.
What is the problem here ?
This whole article is over the top.