No need for Anthropology? What?

*image borrowed from here

Last week, there was much news on Rick Scott's comment that his state doesn't need more anthropologists, saying further that Florida needs more graduates from STEM (Science,Engineering, Technology and Mathematics).

"I want to spend our money getting people science, technology, engineering and math degrees. That's what our kids need to focus all of their time and attention on: Those type of degrees that when they get out of school, they can get a job."

-- from here .

It spurred a lot of reactions from the Anthropology community. See here (from Anthropolaris), here (from MotherJones),here (from Neuroanthropology) and here (American Anthropological Association). In a letter addressed to Gov. Scott, AAA wrote:

"It is very unfortunate that you would characterize our discipline in such a short-sighted way...Perhaps you are unaware that anthropologists are leaders in our nation's top science fields, making groundbreaking discoveries in areas as varied as public health, human genetics, legal history, bilingualism, the African American heritage, and infant learning" -- American Anthropological Association

I live in a country in which Anthropology is taken much for granted, even if it had been established here for a long time. The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia to have a Department of Anthropology, which can be found in the University of the Philippines Diliman. It is, by now, more than 90 years old.

However, for some reason or another, people still fail to recognize the use and importance of Anthropology in the Philippines. I know very much for a fact how many policies failed because politicians in the country do not consult any social scientist.

Looking at Philippine society, I can see how much this nation would've improved if Anthropology is just allowed to gain access, research and help communities. But then again, Filipinos remain ignorant of what Anthropology is about -- putting STEM at the highest pedestal still -- and thinking that social sciences are unimportant and are just "easy" courses. But it's a big loss for society if the social sciences -- such as Anthropology, which runs through the core of humanity -- are taken for granted.

As Dr. Alex Phillips had said in his blog:

"It’s not science, technology, engineering, or mathematics that makes me a pleasant coworker and employee in the regular service-industry jobs I’ve worked in college, it’s anthropological principles like cultural relativism and the social/cultural determinants of behavior that actually provide intellectual tools for being more pleasant, patient, and understanding in everyday interactions. I also have the good fortune of being able to travel to our nation’s capital this weekend to present on a panel about academic praxis (practically applying theory and research) with two far more experienced and older individuals than I–another exciting resume bullet that owes not to my own ability but to learning anthropology."

A lot of people (even friends) think that I transferred to Anthropology because Physics was much difficult for me. They just don't understand that it's not really that. Although I did fail my first Math, it wasn't because it was too difficult but I was such a nervous wreck at that time (first semester of my first year in UP). To be honest (which a lot of my friends don't know), I did well in the succeeding science courses I took and even topped my Math 53 (Calculus I) class. However, my transfer to a social science major was enough to make me "intellectually incapable" according to their opinion (annoying, but I just don't care anymore). But Physics wasn't the thing for me. It didn't quite satisfy my curiosity about the peoples of this world. Might've been the perfect major for other people, but didn't fit me too well. I know I can make more difference with Anthropology as my major.

Yesterday, I posted this on my Facebook wall, which was a response to Gov. Scott:

I know some people who give me a *tut tut* for leaving the natural sciences and transferring to the social sciences. I never react to their comments. I think it's difficult to know what you don't understand. And many people don't really understand the core of the social sciences -- perhaps because it's too much up their faces that they fail to recognize it. I am currently in Anthropology and I must say that being in this course added a new dimension in my understanding of the world. Not that being in this course makes me "elite" or "more intellectual". Honestly, I believe that different sciences are just different lenses in understanding this world. No discipline is higher than the next. Last week, there was much discussion about Gov. Rick Scott's comment on Anthropology, which I failed to join because of many reasons (academic or otherwise). But again, he seems to be just like one of those people who give me a *tut tut*. Even so, people in my discipline continue and will forever continue to help not just his state, but the entire world -- even if they realize it or not.

To end, a presentation entitled "What is Anthropology?" which includes actual works of anthropologists in South Florida