tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191962993642362228.post3601119455228093588..comments2023-09-13T09:37:38.880-04:00Comments on Conversations: Little Brown AmericansErwin de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12924372969851877627noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191962993642362228.post-91565785115945300402008-10-28T19:12:00.000-04:002008-10-28T19:12:00.000-04:00nice piece man. I've been very curious about ...nice piece man. I've been very curious about the US Fil community's opinion of the Obama candidacy. <BR/><BR/>based on what I've seen I have to say that I am concerned. The strain of conservatism in my American kababayan is so contrary to our interests as a people that it messes with my head...<BR/><BR/>That said, I don't expect much to change regarding US-Phil relations no matter who wins...<BR/><BR/>alex<BR/><BR/>--> btw I wrote the Kapisanan piece where you got this image. Thanks for checking it out. I also have a personal blog where I have written more about the Phils and have more historical images. Check it out when you have time:<BR/><BR/>www.alexfelipe.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191962993642362228.post-34253344109825311172008-09-15T16:34:00.000-04:002008-09-15T16:34:00.000-04:00Hi, Erwin,Your post was provocative. A couple of ...Hi, Erwin,<BR/><BR/>Your post was provocative. A couple of thoughts came to mind:<BR/><BR/>1. We have never been formed as a people to think along the lines of party politics. I wonder how many Filipino immigrants have been able to attune to the distinctions. Our own brand of Filipino politics has been about personalities, about the attractiveness (and I do not just mean, but include, physical characteristics) of the politician running for office. Ours has also been about voting for status quo and whoever opposes status quo (even in word, not necessarily in structural action or change). I do not know if we as a people have had the opportunity to learn about democratic and republican philosophies, economics and values and how these will affect political decisions. <BR/><BR/>2. Because of our learning around such distinctions being in the possibly nascent stage, I wonder if we might make choices based on single issues or on what most affects us, or even on stereotypical labels, e.g. "pro-choice" means pro-abortion so I must vote Republican. I read a very emotional egroups post by someone campaigning for McCain because he is pro-life. Only later was that post responded to with a more nuanced argument that being pro-life extends also to other issues, such as opposition to the war, support for the needy via provision of greater social services (e.g. medicaid, public school education, health care for greater number of people), all of which are democratic issues and also signify that they are pro-life. <BR/><BR/>3. It takes much courage to say what you did -- but yes, I wonder about why folks shifted from Hillary Clinton to Mc Cain. And I don't think this is something limited to Filipinos, although our culture might have its own dynamic around it. Like it or not, this is more a visceral and affect-bound factor than it is a purely intellectual choice and we need to acknowledge unconscious (yeah, okay, I had to put that in) motivations around preferring white over black, or even around gut-level feeling safer with white than with black. <BR/><BR/>Just some thoughts. And to validate and affirm your courage, I will dare sign my name!<BR/><BR/>IngeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191962993642362228.post-10673939778002313952008-09-14T22:51:00.000-04:002008-09-14T22:51:00.000-04:00Generalizing, not really. I'm simply pondering wh...Generalizing, not really. I'm simply pondering what her reasons might be for choosing McCain, just as you are surmising what I mean by "outing myself as Filipino." <BR/><BR/>Thank goodness for the freedom of thought and expression!Erwin de Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12924372969851877627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191962993642362228.post-39016414868294871602008-09-14T16:49:00.000-04:002008-09-14T16:49:00.000-04:00Generalizing from one, Erwin? Your hygienist was ...Generalizing from one, Erwin? Your hygienist was probably one of the worst examples you could've used to illustrate what may well still be a valid point - albeit probably less so today. She had perfectly good reason other than the colonial mentality that plagued the Philippines to vote for McCain. It would seem to be equally valid for me to conclude from your statement "after outing myself as Filipino" that you wanted to keep your heritage secret, that you seem to be a bit ashamed of it And that would be as valid a conclusion as the one you make about her biases. <BR/><BR/>Would appreciate your further thoughts.<BR/><BR/>Anonymous 2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191962993642362228.post-7100353809125344902008-09-13T08:48:00.000-04:002008-09-13T08:48:00.000-04:00Interesting read Erwin, I urge you to go back to t...Interesting read Erwin, I urge you to go back to that hygienist and teach her a thing or two...we need her vote!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com