Posted Jun. 15, 2010 by Rex Jaime
I thought this was a thoughtful passage. I’m in the west chasing the American Dream, better yet still trying to understand that definition for myself. I’m still trying to understand what is identity. In California, you can’t help but try to be something, try to emulate something, and you get lost in all of it. Pop culture smothers you to the point of not knowing what is real any more. I have cousins waiting in line for it…a life I’m not sure they quite understand. But regardless it’s better to them because economically it is an opportunity. Watching satellite TV it seems even on the Islands the race is west bound. For all the disparities inherited in our lives through exportation, and sometimes exploitation, we have a common bond. But what does it really mean? What do we do to cultivate it and bring meaning to our lives? Or is it just a shallow commonality in this get yours and get it now environment?
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I thought that coming from so young, this commentary was deeply thought and also thought provoking. I got my PhD from USC, and during that time I attempted to organize Filipino students there, but there just seemed so little “common spirit” to base the group on, except coming from Filipino parents. This young woman in the video should hopefully represent the new Filipino Americans: conscious of their history and people’s struggles to be fully Filipino, yet economically developed. To you, young woman, all hail and praises!
Flag thisTo the comment by Lysander. I completely agree. It’s so difficult to organize. I think the bonds that tie us are deep, but never come to the surface. We’ve become too lazy or too distracted to ever voice beyond the superficial. I hope we can get somewhere with discussions because I’m afraid the experiences we all have may get buried with our bodies and all that remains will be the superficial stuff that stereotypes are made of. And what good is that for generations to come? So, it’s very nice to see people with this consciousness.
Flag thisFilipino values were instilled since I was a shorty - being a good God-fearing catholic, being selfless, taking care of the elderly, respect to one another, stress the importance of hardwork, and being an awesome American. That’s right. An awesome American! I take pride in what my parents have taught me so I suppose that means I have Filipino pride?
Flag thisI think pride is much more deeper than the things bryon listed. those standards are pretty western.
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