A word about a
recent post of mine that's been
getting (surprisingly!)
alot of
positive feedback:
I just wanted to clarify that I don't want to undermine the efforts of people who try to promote positive images of Filipinos. Listing accomplishments made by the Filipino community is really, really great, even though it may be a bit skewed towards mainstream celebrities and those in high positions. When I attended a Filipino Youth conference a few years back, one of the handouts we first got was a list of positive role models from the Filipino community. And seeing all of those people on paper for ther first time, regardless of knowing about some of those listed, I was in awe. I felt a real sense of pride and was so grateful that organizations like FAHSI were doing something as important as teaching Filipino Americans at a young age that there was ALOT to be proud about being Filipino.
My point was that it shouldn't stop there. While reminding ourselves of what we, as a community and through individual achievements, have accomplished, I don't think that our self-esteem as a community, as a culture, as a people, can rise just from that alone. I believe that the key to "promoting a positive image of Filipinos" is understanding our history (in the Philippines and abroad), good and bad, and accepting, not polishing or trying to hide the negative actions of certain Filipinos. I mean, I hate Filipino (and Asian and minority and...etc.) stereotypes as much as the next grrrl, but don't you think that if we had the slightest inkling of understanding of ourselves and our people and our history, we wouldn't give a hoot about what shit people say about us? I don't know, it's such a complicated issue. But I do know that if we know ourselves and know where we come from (individually and historically), or even start to put the effort into doing so, that's when the real positive change can begin.
Do I make sense? Geeez, it's real late, and should hit the sack soon. Expect edits of the above statements. heh. :)
