Derogatory term used by the spanish colonizers to refer to the filipinos at the time of their colonization.

Question: Derogatory term used by the spanish colonizers to refer to the filipinos at the time of their colonization.

During the period of Spanish colonization, the term "Moro" was employed as a derogatory label for the Muslim population in the Philippines. The Spanish colonizers depicted them negatively due to their resistance against Spanish rule and their adherence to Islam. This portrayal perpetuated biases and influenced the attitudes of Christian Filipinos toward their Muslim counterparts.

Additionally, the Spaniards used the term "Indio" to refer to the native Filipinos. This term carried connotations of being uncivilized or lazy. It reflected the racist mindset of the colonizers, who considered themselves superior and justified their aggression by dehumanizing the conquered people.

Dr. Jose Rizal, a prominent Filipino nationalist, challenged these misrepresentations through his writings, including novels like "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo". His works exposed the abuses of the colonizers and contributed to shaping Filipino identity and consciousness during that crucial period. Rizal's legacy endures as a symbol of courage and resilience in the fight against colonial oppression.