Lesson Learned from the Desperate Episode
By KK on Oct 5, 2007 in Philippines, Thinker
Last Saturday, my family and I were hanging out with a group of Filipina registered nurses at a party. I had a good feeling surrounded by intelligent and caring people just in case of emergency. Then this week I saw the Deperate Housewives clip on YouTube at PinoyBlogs which prompted me to sign the petition online. I have never seen an episode of the show but I just know that the American general public is getting dumber watching what’s on prime time TV these days except for Sunday football and Monday football that is.
Then the apology from ABC because of the overwhelming reaction of Filipinos all over the world.
It’s the mix of reactions that made it more interesting: there are some who were apathetic, there were people who signed the petition and there were some who got really angry.
Let me clarify that it’s not just a reaction to the fictional character Susan Mayer, it’s a reaction towards the producers of ABC and whomever they are accountable to. Do they have a policy against writing scripts which are derogatory in nature towards race or nations? I know for sure that they wouldn’t even dare touch the N-word but why did they pick on the Philippines? Is it because they know that we don’t have a Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton and the American public screaming bloody racists if they do so? It was a wrong move, now they realize how many Filipinos are computer literate.
The fact that I graduated from a Philippine school made me react, it’s a remark that is really uncalled for and unnecessary. Although I am not from a medical school, my older sister is a medical doctor who did. It was enough to make my ears grow red. I am an American by choice but I fiercely defend my heritage. My Philippine education is part of me and WES certified that my degree is equivalent to my US educated counterparts. I have been imported by USA when they were in need for reinforcement for IT and the sad fact is it’s because alot of people around here are too busy watching shallow and silly shows such as DH, less and less people are getting into Math and Science related studies. A very obvious symptom is the alarming shortage of Math and Science teachers and registered nurses. Well good for me and the rest of the professionals from the Philippines, we are now here enjoying a higher standard of living.
My older sister is a medical doctor and I know what she had to go through for the MD at the end of her name.
For everyones information:
Medical professionals from the Philippines go through alot of rigorous screening before they can step foot to work here and they deserve every bit of respect as any American born and educated individual.
Check out the exams that Philippine licensed nurses and doctors have to go through to come to the US: http://cgfns.org/, https://www.ncsbn.org/index.htm, http://www.usmle.org/
It’s true that we have to ponder about “the why” but if you are like me in melting pot America where there is such a diverse mix of people all over the world, I find it that it’s my responsibility as a person of Filipino ancestry to defend where I came from even if I am an American by choice. I may not agree with the way the Philippine government is run but there are plenty of Filipino people worth standing up for. Filipinos in different parts of the world should think that they are representatives of the Philippines.
Apathy defined: “lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting by” dictionary.com When people just don’t care because they are not directly affected. The world is going to be in a much better state if we cared enough to say or do something, somehow someway someday we can make a change. Don’t you think? It’s not just up to Americans who have to solve everything, there are so many nations around the world.
What a United Voice can Do
When I was growing up, even if my siblings and I would have our own squabbles at home, when we get out of the house if someone picks on my brothers or sisters we stand a united front forming a stronger force against the opponent. Who else will help to uplift the Filipino people if not the Filipino people themselves?
It’s a good thing that there was such an overwhelming response from Filipinos all over the world and an apology was made. Just imagine the possibility if we react the same way to to different political and economic issues?
Time to Move on
After the excitement is gone, it’s time to ponder and time to think of ways how we can make a change. I for one do my best to represent my heritage in this high diverse country. I want my daughter to be able to stand proud that she has Filipino ancestors.
I also learned that the Internet is such a powerful tool that can solve issues of the world.
What was your reaction? Have you done anything in your lifetime to make a good change in this world?
DJB Rizalist | Oct 6, 2007 | Reply
What happened wasn’t fair but I think the nursing exam leak had a lot to do with this. In that case of course the med schools had nothing to do with it really since it was the greedy commercial review centers and govt regulators in cahoots with them that caused the leak and the subsequent scandal. They are the real cause of the damage to the reputation of OFW nurses which all Filipino Americans are now paying for. If nothing is done, it will surely happen again, and maybe ABC won’t apologize the next time.
As far as racist slurs are concerned, don’t forget we also have a log in our own eye with Miriam Defensor Santiago calling China the inventor of corruption for all human civilization.
Lisa | Oct 6, 2007 | Reply
I find that, whenever I travel to the states, I’m extra sensitive about racism — meaning, when I hear ’slant eyes’ or some other bigoted remark, I am put in a defensive mood. Much has been made by this issue in the Philippines (I first read about it at Misteriyosa and boy did the comments and responses fly!) but honestly, DW is watched by shallow people and we shouldn’t give the show too much importance by raising a hue and cry.
Don’t we all laugh at Polish jokes anyway? Isn’t Susan’s the stupidest character in the show (call me shallow but I catch it sometimes and watch it when I want to leave my brains at the door) anyway?
Other bloggers here just made a big deal about this in an obvious attempt to generate traffic. I understand, though, that it must be hard for you there when all the white trash are, well, trashy.
And honestly, aren’t we Filipinos equally guilty when we make ‘regionalistic’ remarks like ang ilocano ay kuripot, and bisaya ay magastos, or ang kapangpangan ay makapili or something?
blogging is powerful, yes, and cause the resignation of this fernandez woman who wrote something deprecating about the OFWs on the economy section of the plane she rode in. but it should not cause mass hysteria.
it saddens me that the Filipinos raised a bigger hue and cry about DW than the ZTE scam the government is embroiled in now. if we only presented a united front against anomalies in our own country, maybe other countries will not think us stupid.
KK | Oct 6, 2007 | Reply
Hi DJB,
It’s true that the leakage of June 2006 nursing scandal must have something to do with it but still, National TV networks should take the responsibility to have policies in place to avoid any kind of class action lawsuits. US TV is seen all over the world with different nationalities as audiences.
I must have just crawled under a rock since I haven’t heard of that latest Miriam Santiago’s outbursts. Philippine TV is not watched over here with the same kind of US TV audience. US TV has a wider range that’s why they have to be more careful of their scripts. I don’t watch Filipino channel here.
Hi Lisa,
Stereotype jokes are funny when the person who is making that joke happens to be from the same race for some reason. For example: Chris Rock’s stating the obvious about African Americans or Jerry Seinfeld about Jews.
Like I said it’s not just because of DH being a shallow show and being watched by people who are entertained by gossipy shows that we should take it lightly, there is a machine behind it. A TV network who set policies, it’s those policies that need to be questioned. That’s why I have a dot Org because when I started with dot Com, the different affiliate companies have very strict policies about racial discrimination among other things. I could not even touch my beliefs. I’m sure that the TV advertisers have the similar kind of policies and they too can sue ABC for breach of contact- if they have it in their TOS. Prime time TV advertisement, we are talking of millions of dollars per 30 seconds. Producers are accountable to the TV networks. TV networks are accountable to their Advertisers as well as their audience.
I am in a highly diverse area and most of the people I deal with are learned people, so I can look beyond skin color. If I invited people whom I like in a party, it will look like United Colors of Benetton.
It’s also a wake-up call to the Philippines, the world is watching.
DJB Rizalist | Oct 7, 2007 | Reply
Thanks Tina! What about the Jon Stewart Cory Aquino Slut skit? I take all these in good humor of course because you know naman mga Kano they have to test whether you are a good sport or not before they accept you because virtually everyone comes from immigrant roots and probably suffered the same kind of “initiation” slurs. hehe.
But I think the bit about sluts has to do with an entirely different, and terrible, stereotype about filipinas.
More power to your blog!
julie | Oct 8, 2007 | Reply
And now, who will be the next target? Teachers? Argh!
KK | Oct 8, 2007 | Reply
DJB Rizalist,
Thanks. I don’t watch Jon Stewart either. We have Verizon Fios with 100+ channels and I don’t watch much TV! Some stereotypes have some meat to them but it’s too unfair to generalize because people are different.
Hi Teacher Julie,
Ah don’t worry about it. There are 3 openings for our county for Special Ed teachers alone.
MegaMom | Oct 8, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for defending us, KK.
Pano ba yan, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. If you react, then you lack a sense of humor. If you don’t, then you are apathetic. Well, I chose the lesser of the two crimes, and signed the petition. As an MD who has been in a similar situation when I practiced in the US, I really could not help but feel insulted, sa totoo lang. People who remain apathetic probably have never been in that situation, so what else can I say?
KK | Oct 8, 2007 | Reply
Hi MegaMom,
. I emailed some people about it and someone reacted negatively pa naman. He said that I shouldn’t generalize about “we Filipinos.” Palibhasa super tagal na rito sa US, and I kinda get the feeling that they don’t feel Filipino anymore. Even if I am already American, I don’t forget about where I came from which is the Mountains of Baguio. There is nothing wrong integrating well with the New Country but it doesn’t mean disowning your roots. I’m sure you have heard of the coconuts(brown in the inside and white in the inside). Yung iba talaga, walang paki-alam kahit nila-lampaso na ang kanilang mga kaba-bayan sa walang katwiran.
You’re welcome
Liza's Eyeview | Oct 9, 2007 | Reply
I do not watch DH, have not seen a single episode. Despite the obvious that this show is really a waste of time, I still couldn’t believe that they used the “Philippines” specifically on that line (insinuating that doctors from the Philippines are dumb and unreliable). It really was an insult. With all due respect to commenter Lisa, I disagree to her seeing this as a way for bloggers to increase traffic, and that we made too much of a big deal of what shouldn’t have been. For me, I respect the organizers of the Petition to seek apology from ABC and admire the bloggers who blogged about it. If we Filipinos won’t “condemn” the racial insult against us, who else will?
raqgold | Oct 9, 2007 | Reply
we should defend who we are…
noemi Dado | Oct 9, 2007 | Reply
the first thing I did with regards to the DH slur was to educate readers and visitors that it takes more than a diploma to be a medical doctor. My mission in life is to give comfort to the bereaved so it’s an ongoing work. We do what we are good at or what our experiences teach us.
KK | Oct 9, 2007 | Reply
Hi Lisa’s Eyeview,
! Thanks for your comment. “If we Filipinos won’t “condemn” the racial insult against us, who else will?” Exactly!
Great to hear from a non-DH fan
Hi Raqgold,
The people like us who are blogging and who can speak-up should use it as a tool to inform people who have never left the front of their boob-tubes that there are alot of Filipinos who are hard working, highly educated and respectable human beings.
Hi Ate Noemi,
It’s the best thing to do: Educate the readers! You have such a noble mission in life.
jeannie hizon | Oct 9, 2007 | Reply
i got so mad and my puti husband supported me!!! i have a toddler and i’m not letting anyone bully him in the future
KK | Oct 10, 2007 | Reply
Hi Jeannie,
It’s good to have a very supporting husband. I’m sure your toddler will be well protected.
marc nii-sama | Oct 11, 2007 | Reply
yeah, they should know better than to belittle filipino… there is only a thin line that divides humor and insult, wise people knew that….i hope the one responsible to this uproar is wise enough to understand this…