Dr. J needs a Workshop
For a brief moment, let's assume that some of the readers of this blog are American sports fans who tend to associate the name Dr. J with the legendary swingman Julius Erving. Pinoy basketball fans will recognize the Dr. J I'm referring to as Andy Jao, the longtime pro hoops figure whose career includes multiple stints as a color commentator on PBA broadcasts and as a team manager for the mid-2000s Red Bull team that made coach Yeng Guiao's reputation as a mentor who could mold ("coerce" or "intimidate" might be more appropriate words) raw young basketball talent into championship-caliber teams. Dr. J is one of the best PBA broadcasters around and a respected basketball mind.
What's a workshop? It's a term I picked up from my girlfriend, who hails from California, that glorious land of political correctness. Not only is she a native Californian, but she came up in California's state university activist network, which pretty much sets the standard for U.S. student progressive activism and community organizing. I like to tease her about her do-gooder roots, but I also wish I could have been part of something like the organizations she has been involved in. Anyway, she told me that back in college, whenever someone said something prejudiced or particularly offensive, everyone else would yell out "workshop!" As in, Paeng the Atenista keeps saying ignorant things about the lackluster quality of a La Salle education. He needs a workshop to see the error of his ways.
Well, Dr. J, you need a workshop! During the third quarter of game one of the thrilling semifinal series between Alaska and Talk 'N Text, PBA fans were treated to the following exchange between Jao and his broadcast partner, Mico Halili (it begins about seven minutes into the embedded YouTube clip above):
[Context: Alaska is about to pull away from TNT. LA Tenorio played a great first four and a half minutes of the third quarter, and Tim Cone subs Topex Robinson to give Tenorio a rest.]
Andy Jao: I think also [Tim Cone] wants to match up Topex Robinson against [Jason] Castro. [pause] Same color.
[Two long, awkward seconds pass, while Mico wonders how to respond.]
Mico Halili: [murmurs] OK. ... [recovers a little] ... Partners!
Jao: Parehong malakas tumalon! Parehong mabilis! [Same hops! Same speed!]
Halili: [desperate to change the subject] And here's DeVance!
Topex Robinson and Jason Castro are both half-black basketball players raised in the Philippines. Robinson is from Olongapo, the town that abutted and indeed grew around the U.S. Naval Base at Subic Bay. From what I've seen, Castro is from Sasmuan (officially no longer Sexmoan) and Guagua, neighboring municipalities in Pampanga, the province that was home to the U.S. Clark Air Force Base. Zambales and Pampanga, particularly the areas around Olongapo and Angeles Cities, are known for having large populations of half-American Filipinos. Also, because both cities are home to extensive sex industries and fairly seedy reputations, people are quick to assume -- often incorrectly, but also often correctly -- that half-American Pinoys from these areas come from ignominious unions. Racial attitudes in the Philippines toward African Americans definitely have an ugly side. They're the same ugly stereotypes that exist in America, only amplified and more acceptable when expressed publicly. So people may be even quicker to assume the worst about half-black Filipinos from Zambales and Pampanga.
So there's definitely something menacing and inappropriate about Andy Jao's chortling joke that Topex Robinson and Jason Castro should be matched up because they're the "same color" with the same jumping ability and quickness. (Here's a more likely explanation: They're the backup point guards for their respective teams). It reminded me of NFL announcer Howard Cosell's infamous 1983 comment, when he said of an African-American wide receiver, "Look at that little monkey run!"
Jao's comment is not as offensive. He didn't use an outright racial slur, as Cosell did, but he clearly engaged in some ugly racial stereotyping, and judging by his chuckling throughout the clip, he was pretty pleased with himself afterward. In this case, I don't think I'm unfairly projecting my American racial hang-ups (i.e. white guilt over slavery and ongoing discrimination against blacks in my home country) onto a Philippine citizen who doesn't share that history. Judging by Mico Halili's reaction to Jao's comment -- Mico struggles to respond and musters only an awkward "OK" before regaining his bearings and moving on with the broadcast -- the remark shocked Halili too. Also, it's not true that the history of American racism skipped over the Philippines. Filipinos may not have been complicit in white America's subjugation of blacks, but they were victim to the same kind of slurs, most notably during the Philippine-American War and the period of American colonial rule over the Philippines. You could argue that if Jao had this history in mind, he would be more sensitive about using racial language to describe his half-black countrymen.
Would Jao joke that Joseph Yeo should guard T.Y. Tang because they're both Chinese and like to sell games? (Readers: This is clearly an over-the-top, rhetorical example. I have no reason to believe that Yeo and Tang sell games.) Would Jao have said the same thing if Norman Black was on the panel? Sadly, there's a decent chance he would have. Slights like this would be nothing new to Coach Norman, who has endured plenty of them over the years (I remember an ugly column calling him "A black coach named Black"). Still, neither he nor Robinson nor Castro should have to just put up with it as if being the butt of mildly racist jokes is just a fact of life. Attitudes can and do change over time, and while I don't think Jao should be made to do some American-style media perp-walk with a forced apology, I think his employers at Solar can and should remind him that jokes like the "same color" line aren't cool.
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wala kang K
There is a very lively discussion about "racism" in this blog with each one having his/her own valid points, argument, opinion about it and sticking to that.
Like other countries, Philippines also has unique way of dealing with discriminations, name callings and racial sensitivities. Subjects about name calling and racial jokes in this country is as natural as the slums, squatters, jeepneys, tricycles. You just take it as it is because you cannot do a gaddamm thing about it and then just get on with your own business. But that does not mean that Filipinos do not care less about this. We do get hurt (mostly pride) when somebody throws in one of those remarks but depends on the following contexts:
- A Filipino complains about the shitty smell of Quezon Bridge and nobody gives a damn about it.
- A foreign celebrity remarks a smelly place in our country and this foreigner got banned for life in entering the country.
- You fondly call a member of a barkada "Nognog", "Egoy", "Itim" and he does not mind it because this mark is a feeling of being accepted by the group.
- An outsider calls one of your member "Nognog", "Egoy", "Itim" and this outsider get's the black and blues
- A parent scolds her daughter calling her names like "maldita ka", etc. yet the other members of the family just shrug it off.
- What do you think a parent would react if their daughter gets called like this by somebody?
I do not think more of it as hypocricy. It's more of like a "private affair business". It's like "wala kang 'K' to say something like this because you are not part of the family".
Mr. Jao has been in the league for quite a while and perhaps he would not mean to hurt (slur) somebody in the family with this slight banter. And perhaps Mico is still not yet in the family business long enough to have this "K".
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Wrong Person To Preach
The people who required other people to sit at the back of the bus, to use separate public toilets, to dine in a separate dining area just because of their skin color, should not have the gall to teach racial etiquette to other people. Just because your people have done it does not give you the high road over other people.
It sounds like the Chinese government preaching human rights.
Rafe, you read minds too much. You assumed Mico was shocked. You assumed Andy Jao was "pretty pleased" with his "ugly racial steotyping". How did you know for sure?
Is this the kind of journalistic integrity you have in your book? Umm, having second thoughts now.
You are no different
Rafe you are no different from Andy Jao by mentioning (even in jest) that Sasmuan is no longer Sexmuan.
It seems all too funny that you were one who "threw the first stone" when in fact you are also guilty of such despicable actions (a bible analogy). You are just proving some commenters here that you belong to a nation of hypocrites and diseased with racism. Maybe you should be going to the same workshop you are proposing for Andy Jao. I was thinking about buying your book when I had raised the money but I guess I'll just by putting that to good use instead. It is no use to read somebody who spent 3 years in the Philippines but didn't study this aspect of Filipino society.
This article is a total turn-off.
Desensitized pinoys & their illogical excuses
I disagree. On the contrary. Mr. Barthlomew hit the nail on the head about our own sublte racism. Beho, negro, aeta... I grew up hearing these words from my snooty classmates & even family members; I'm sure I absorbed such mentality. It's too ingrained we accept it as part of the culture. But as cultures go, there is right & wrong, values over time we choose to keep, & values we're better off without.
Commenters here who say racist jokes are just words & do not allow those hurtful words to hurt them-- kudos to you! Commenters here who say peace is all that matters & we should not raise a ruckus & make it more than it is in the US-- kudos to you for being peace-loving. But there are times, whether you are white or black, yellow or brown, regardless from what culture you come from when you must call a remark stupid for what it is. Jao's comments might be lame by our standards, & Batholomew makes an issue of it from his perspectives. But for some of the commenters here who think it okay to let name-calling persist because "it doesn't matter to him " misses the point. You sure have the choice to ignore an asshole, but don't blame the person who comes out & calls the name-caller for what he is: an asshole, insensitive & stupid!
Desensitized pinoys & their illogical excuses
I disagree. On the contrary. Mr. Barthlomew hit the nail on the head about our own sublte racism. Beho, negro, aeta... I grew up hearing these words from my snooty classmates & even family members; I'm sure I absorbed such mentality. It's too ingrained we accept it as part of the culture. But as cultures go, there is right & wrong, values over time we choose to keep, & values we're better off without.
Commenters here who say racist jokes are just words & do not allow those hurtful words to hurt them-- kudos to you! Commenters here who say peace is all that matters & we should not raise a ruckus & make it more than it is in the US-- kudos to you for being peace-loving. But there are times, whether you are white or black, yellow or brown, regardless from what culture you come from when you must call a remark stupid for what it is. Jao's comments might be lame by our standards, & Batholomew makes an issue of it from his perspectives. But for some of the commenters here who think it okay to let name-calling persist because "it doesn't matter to him " misses the point. You sure have the choice to ignore an asshole, but don't blame the person who comes out & calls the name-caller for what he is: an asshole, insensitive & stupid!
agree with you, 101%
agree with you, 101%
Saddening
Based on the comments of people here, they would rather fix BIGGER problems than racism and sensitivity (sorry for misinterpreting claims and opinion, but that's my observation).
As little as it may seem, the issue of racism is rooted on the aspects of "how people see us" and "how we look at ourselves". It's very important that at least one of these two aspects be positive for one or both would contribute to building one's identity. Yet, it's saddening that there would be people willing to let labeling of people go.
Identities are keys to how we would strive to be better. If we allow people to label us negatively, we should counter with a positive perception of self-image that some do not even want to bother to do.
What Rafe points out is that we should learn to stop labeling people because it could lead to allowing a destruction of a broken image of who we are. I believe the "workshop" he speaks of is a total overhaul of a mentality that bad labels are okay in our society.
Happy!
I'm happy Filipinos chose fix/tackle more pressing issues than "perceived racism" and sensitivity. It doesn't even rank in our people's and our leaders' priorities to tell you honestly.
How people see us is absolutely totally different from how we look ourselves. How I see myself is a major factor on how I will contribute to this nation's society but How people see me has absolutely nothing to do with what I can contribute to the nation. Dapat proud ka sa sariling mong kakayahan kahit ano pa ang kulay mo dahil walang nagagawa ang kulay mo sa pagiging isang matinong mamamayan. Pero... kung nasa isip mo na ikaw ay inferior dahil sa kulay or lahi mo, ikaw lang ang gumagawa ng sarili mong problema. We have total control of what things we can do to be better but we will never have control over how people think of us. It is a losing battle... a battle (and as some people here have described it) a DISEASE that has plagued the US for hundreds of years. I'm glad we didn't inherit such disease during their occupation here.
If people label us negatively, the best thing to do is not to even counter with anything. Why would we even justify such "kagaguhan" with anything???? The fact that you have an intention to retaliate with anything (kahit positive) means naaapektuhan ka and which means you are already at the start of a losing battle.
Rafe and all of those who agree with him can point out that we need to learn to stop labeling people but as sure as everyone will die, no one will stop doing so... so what's even the point? Unless you have a mind-altering superpower, wala kang magagawa upang masuway ang mga tao sa pag-iisip ng kung anong gusto nilang isipin.
Subukan kong i-label ang mga kilala o mas kilalang tao na may ibang lahi dito sa Pilipinas katulad nina Castro at Robinson... Si Presidente Aquino may lahing kalahating intsik-beho yan but did that hinder him from being what he is now? Si VP Binay, galing mahirap yan at mukhang egoy sa itim, was that any hindrance from what he had done to make him rise from poverty, lead Makati as it is now and be a VP? I'm labeling them right now... do you have any control of how I think or see of them? NO. Do you think that my labeling of them or even how they were perceived by their contemporaries while growing up mattered how they ended up now? My best bet is NO.
I think labeling people is and should NOT be an issue in our society. Kayong mga nag-iisip na issue ang pagiging mixed-race or skin color will be soon-to-be proponents ng ganitong laban kung maging issue nga yan... Pero mas marami kaming Pilipino ang nag-iisip na ang kulay namin ay walang relasyon/magagawa/epekto sa kaya naming gawin bilang isang mabuting mamayan.
Nga pala ako ay kalahiting Muslim at parati kong pinagmamalaki na ako ay may lahing Muslim. When I do tell people most of them get a weird look on their faces... does that affect me in any way? NO.
Do I have any control of how you think this is any issue or not? NO. That's because I can't control how you think. BUT unlike you I'm glad more Filipinos like the ones who have commented in here chose and think that this is NO ISSUE kung hindi eh di mas malaki tayong pinuproblema sa ngayon. Ito ay isa sa mga katangian ng Pinoy na ako'y nagpapasalamat na ako'y isang Pinoy and proud of it. HUWAG sana pa-apekto o kahit pansinin man lang ang mga ganito panlalait para sa ika-bubuti, ika-uunlad at ikatatahimik ng bansa.
well said
well said. :)
I've been labeled heavily in
I've been labeled heavily in school but how come the image of who I am wasn't destroyed? As an adult now, I am confident of who I am and what I can do. Never paid attention to name calling I experienced in school.
Saddening
Based on the comments of people here, they would rather fix BIGGER problems than racism and sensitivity (sorry for misinterpreting claims and opinion, but that's my observation).
As little as it may seem, the issue of racism is rooted on the aspects of "how people see us" and "how we look at ourselves". It's very important that at least one of these two aspects be positive for one or both would contribute to building one's identity. Yet, it's saddening that there would be people willing to let labeling of people go.
Identities are keys to how we would strive to be better. If we allow people to label us negatively, we should counter with a positive perception of self-image that some do not even want to bother to do.
What Rafe points out is that we should learn to stop labeling people because it could lead to allowing a destruction of a broken image of who we are. I believe the "workshop" he speaks of is a total overhaul of a mentality that bad labels are okay in our society.
You're too sensitive Rafe
I've had the fortunate chance to live in the US myself and people quite frequently have sensitivities regarding race especially if they belong to the minorities. That's in the US. We do have a different perception here in the Phils. It isn't a BIG deal for people to insinuate or or even be blatant about skin color here in national TV. In fact, people who have heard Andy's comment would've probably forgotten it by now because it simply doesn't register in the people's sensitivity meter. Nobody's gonna campaign against it like some people would if for example it happened in the US. For one, the 2 players are getting paid more than our country's president and 2 that's just not our issue here in the country.
If you're calling for a workshop, you need to understand what kind of people you are talking about and what culture this country has. The roster of sports broadcasters in the PBA need to work a lot on other aspects of their work than be concerned about racial sensitivity.
However, this is your perspective coming from a culture somewhat different than ours. But again, this somewhat "racial insensitivity" shared by most of our country men, leaves a lot less things for us to fight over. Here in this archipelago, a joke is a joke, sometimes it just slips off the tongue like what Mr. Jao has done and by no means meant to be derogatory to the two people.
I think Filipinos should be thankful we are not as "too sensitive" as Americans. It leaves a lot less to worry and fight each about.
right contentions delivered
right contentions delivered on a polite, civil manner
sensitive or insensitive
i think whether rafe is sensitive or insensitive, i think he has to deal first with this.. site lay-out!
he should improve first his site before he makes comments to other persons!
this site is so dull and uninteresting because he uses only black and white.
be creative man!
huh?
the content of a blog is more important than the design. i'm just saying.
Or... You're too insensitive, Anonymous 5:16
I tend to disagree. Your point would be valid if there was no double standard.
But for us to be able to claim this, then we should also commit to not complain when people from other shores make racially insensitive jokes or observations about us.
Yet, here at the slightest anti-Filipino comment by some comedian, or a derogatory line in a FICTITIOUS TV show or movie, we are up in arms emailing, posting "BOYCOTT" and demanding public apologies. Sometimes even Rumors.
Remember when there was massive anger towards Claire Danes for saying that the Philippines smelled like cockroaches. (But the quote was taken out of context. She was referring to just the place she was staying at)
She was vilified by the public and media here for being a racist but her comment wasn't even about our race. Just a place in the Philippines which, for all we know, might really stink.
It is unfair to exempt us from the racial divide by saying we can make jokes about other races but they can't make jokes about Filipinos.
And Adam Carolla, a known COMEDIAN who mocks everyone else, mocked us ONCE and we all cried Foul. We only like positive things being said about us.
Or when we once called for a Public Apology from Jay Leno?
We've been called hairless brown monkeys in jokes before. I don't know about you but I always felt that's quite hurtful.
I presume most of the people defending racial jokes in the Philippines on this thread can dish it out and take it. Perhaps you can be an exception to the rule. But the greater majority cannot and that means we can't claim what you are saying is true to the country as a whole.
We are, in essence, Hypocrites.
We allow our racial jokes but prohibit others from doing so? How the hell is that fair!?
Maybe Rafe is too sensitive, o baka tayo ang desensitized cause we still refuse to see we're doing something wrong and when someone calls it out, we dismiss them. For instance, I've a feeling that given a choice, every chinese man in the country who's ever been called beho will prefer we stop. But people like you won't give them that choice. You'll just say "ay, too sensitive."
rafe is not too sensitive.
rafe is not too sensitive. america is! it's in their culture. the american culture is too sensitive about race issues because america is a very hypocritical country!
That's why he's getting more
That's why he's getting more animosity here than people agreeing with his view. He may have spent 3 years here, wrote a book about it but didn't get to figure out this aspect of Filipino culture.
Discriminant people will always be found in any society. It is the way Filipinos chose rise above these differences that makes them unique and so much better than other people.
I'm inclined to believe that
I'm inclined to believe that most Filipinos are like me who choose to go beyond being called a brown monkey like you. I'm not defending racial jokes by any means as I have been a victim of racial slur myself.
I do believe most Filipino people are like me who choose not to make this skin color issue a bigger one... kung di e di mas malaki sana issue ito ngayon dito sa Pilipinas.
Kung tinamaan ka sa ganitong issue palagay ko you belong to the minority na naaapektuhan pa ng ganitong issue sa Pinas. I don't have a double-standard... a double standard only exists in the mind of people who choose to think there is a double-standard. Mas gugustuhin ko maging Topex Robinson or Jason Castro than a freakin bum who calls me out such or the person who noticed someone being a racist.
"Ang piko ay laging talo"
You mentioned the FEW Filipinos who were LOUD against the racist remarks of Adam Carolla, Claire Danes, Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, Desperate Housewives, etc. but you forgot to mention that there are millions of Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad who were NEVER offended by these racist remarks. These Filipinos chose not to let words hurt them because they have more important things to worry about.
I hope my beloved country doesn't get infected with the terrible disease called political correctness.
I am a Filipino and I don't give a rat's ass if they call me brown monkey. I don't care if they say Filipino nurses suck (because I know they don't). I don't care if they hate Filipinos because they are Filipinos. I control my own life and I won't let "derogatory" words nor feelings of bigotry against me ruin my day.
Sabi nga nila...ANG PIKON AY LAGING TALO!
Btw, do you know what the Chinese Filipinos call Filipinos? You mention them being called 'beho' and you think they would want to put a stop to that. But how about them Chinese Filipinos families being against family members marrying anyone who doesn't have Chinese blood. Ordinary Filipinos calling them beho versus them not wanting their families to be "tainted" by non-Chinese blood. Which is worse? But for me, I don't care if they don't like my blood. It's their right to behave that way and I don't give a damn.
Yes I like being desensitized
Because that's the way it should be. Racial discrimination and hate will only exist if we keep being too sensitive about it.
When I lived in the US I was actually called out an Asian asshole by a white high school girl while I was innocently drinking in their school fountain. I was angry about it so I told my white female boss. She told me to point the school girl to her so she can file a formal complaint and raise hell in the school. I told her not to make a big deal about it and so that's the end of that. I'm glad I didn't make a bigger fuss about it and I ended up with no bigger issue. ... so I do have my own personal experience with racial discrimination and looking back I'm glad I did what I did because I didn't get into a bigger issue or make enemies. Its easy to gag people and tell them what they can't say but its very difficult to make people think otherwise that's why bigots and discrimination still exists in the US. I'm back here in the Phils and I'm glad the bigger majority of people do not choose to make skin color an issue amongst us Filipinos and that's the way it should be for peace's sake.
The issues with Claire Danes, Adam Corolla et al were done by foreigners which were short lived and soon eventually forgotten. That's the way it should be. Lets not make this issue last hundreds of years like in the US.
Lets not make race an issue in the PBA, a league dominated by Fil-foreigners who most make more in a month than common minimum wagers make in a year. I'm not saying money is an issue but rather pointing out that they're more privileged to make more money than others.
I choose to be desensitized if only to keep the peace which is the bigger issue rather that raising an issue about "this person said this and that to these people..." I'm glad most of Filipinos are peace-loving people who choose to ignore these things in fact its probably one trait I'm proud and thankful for in being a pinoy.
Amen
Well said...
Filipinos should be thankful that their country is not infected with the disease called 'political correctness'.
The Filipinos have far more pressing issues to worry about than the percieved racism against two people who are living way above most Filipinos.
I agree that being of mixed
I agree that being of mixed descent does not hamper the lives of the two pro ballers Jao was talking about, but the article points out a problem that is all to real for many who are not playing ball or otherwise enjoy economic benefits that shield them from the harsh effects of racism in the Philippines. The same attitude that allows Andy Jao to make such jokes os the same attitude that renders a 'Nog Nog' from Gapo ineligible for the promotion handed to the Tisoy from Makati, even if Nog Nog is more capable.
Harsh effects of racism in
Harsh effects of racism in the Philippines? Can you expound on this? They only thing I can think of is rich vs poor. But racism? Are you serious? Or are you already infected by that terrible disease called political correctness?
The only person that can prevent a person from succeeding in life is HIMSELF. If a "Nog Nog" from Olongapo lets the feeling of victimhood pull him down then he is just like every other Filipino who complain that they are poor but doesn't do anything positive to remedy their situation.
There was a dark-skinned boy
There was a dark-skinned boy in my high school and we called him 'Bates' and even the teachers called him Bates, as in Billy Ray. The dude was never taken seriously, because he was Bates, and that's all he was allowed to be, and this was in a Math and Science high school. Next time I see him, I'd make it a point to remind him that Filipinos do not treat their fellow countryman poorly because of their skin color.
Back during Erap's heyday, my girlfriend's dad was kidnapped. Being of Chinese descent, they didn't get much help from the NBI, and at one point, it was explained to them by the investigator that they were being targeted as an ethnic group because they opress their employees.
Of course racism doesn't exist in the Philippines.
So are you saying that the
So are you saying that the NBI does not help Chinese-Filipinos? How come the NBI have ignored more Filipino cases than Chinese-Filipino cases? There were non-Chinese Filipinos where were kidnapped for ransom as well. Maybe these Filipino-Chinese and Filipinos were targeted not because of their ethnicity but because there are RICH. What do you think?
Btw, the kid in my high school who was called 'aeta' because he was dark-skinned and had curly hair is now the vice president of a tech company in Singapore. Just like your 'bates', he was allowed to be just that in school but that did not stop him from moving on. He ignored the name calling and moved on with his life. Racism will ruin your life if you let it.
Racism in PI. Nah. People are afraid of what they don't understand. This behavior is inherent to all beings. If we choose to dwell on it, we are not going to move on to better things.
The fact that one can rise
The fact that one can rise beyond another's prejudice doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Treating 'Aeta' poorly is not justified because he succeeded anyway -- he can be the president and you are still an asshole for treating him poorly. I'm actually reading Bartholomew's book and he writes about the librarian in Ateneo who took him under her wing the minute he walked into their library. If you think, for one second, a dark-skinned half breed would be allowed into the library, let alone get the same treatment that Bartholomew received, you are a fool.
As for racism against Chinese Filipinos, go ask them and open your eyes.
The fact that one can rise
The fact that one can rise beyond another's prejudice doesn't mean it doesn't exist... True. But I'd rather be an Aeta whose the President of the Phils (as you have put it/theorized) than the tisoy calling me an Aeta but hasn't done anything to make a difference.
It matters not what your skin color is but rather what you have done to make yourself better and make a difference in the world. We can't control what people think but we can definitely go beyond what people think and say about us and be better than them.
I'm not inclined to discuss Chinese "pure bloods" here in the Philippines but since you raised their racism issue, I'm going to quote you a common event that happens in the Chinese General hospital here in Manila... Chinese pure-bloods here in the Philippines who by clear intent have not chosen to mix Filipino blood in their families continue to refuse medical attention if they are attended by Filipino nurses and doctors. A doctor friend of mine told me they were thrown out/chased away out of these Chinese patients' room because they were Filipino and the Chinese family and patient didn't want Filipino attending health care workers... I think there's nothing more prejudiced/discriminant than that situation. It makes me think that they rather die that get over their prejudice.
My point is not to enumerate all acts of prejudice I know but rather open your eyes that whether we like it or not Filipinos are of mixed race in general and talking about this person said this and that to these people is so freakin lame. Its not progressive and there's not one single positive thing that could come out of it. I'm afraid to admit that I too have been sucked into this "racism" discussion when i did want to stay out of it. Rafe gave his take from an American standpoint from a country that is continually cursed with racism because they still find the time and effort to discuss such idiocy.
Racism in the Philippines, to me, only exists in the minds of those Filipinos who chose to think it and not go beyond it. If you do chose to chose to think the way Rafe thinks, it is your choice and I won't be prejudiced against you. I simply state what I think and I hope you do respect my opinion as I do recognize some Filipinos are racist as well.
So making insensitive remarks
So making insensitive remarks about a person based on his skin color isn't racist, but rather a way for that person to rise above others? That's like saying you punching your wife because she burned the rice doesn't make you a wife beater, you're just teaching her how to cook properly!
Next time you see 'Aeta', tell him he owes you a favor. If not for the 'heroic' insults you hurled at him, he may never have succeeded. While you're at it, maybe you can give his wife a couple of black eyes to help her learn how to cook!
Waw. Kulay ang pinag-uusapan
Waw. Kulay ang pinag-uusapan ng mga tao dito... pano naman naging parehas yun sa utang na loob ng mga may ibang lahi or pagiging biolente sa asawa???
Mag-isip-isip ka pa ng mas magandang counter or argument para maniwala kami sayo. Halatang mababaw ka lang mag-isip.
Kakatawa comparisons mo ate... hehe
Thanks for the reminder. I
Thanks for the reminder. I see you take the analogies into the abyss. But unlike you I'm able to see you're analogies as a joke so I'll remind the Aetas that they owe me and when I get married I'll do that to my wife and tell her its courtesy of an anonymous commenter.
See, unlike you I am able to take your joke but let's not involve wives and females here because violence is a totally different story. Don't be offended AND affected by simple discussions like these because that's what they are... discussions. :)
Racism is rampant in the
Racism is rampant in the Philippines. So rampant, in fact, that Filipinos often talk about racism in America while laughing about the Chekwa businessman and the Negro driver from 'Gapo. Granted, there's not the institutional guilt that comes with a recent history of slavery and segregation, but anyone stating that Filipinos aren't racist like Americans while listening to Tia whatever call the neighbor who cut her Negro driver off a 'Hudyo' in the middle of a long discussion about Mr. Tan fucking up the economy because they underpay their employees because that's what the swapang Tsekwa does to make money (told in a faux Chinese accent) clearly has no clue what racism is.
Words and feelings. Nah!
Here in the US, as a Filipino (not living in CA), I've heard and felt racism from all over. I don't know if it's just me but quite frankly, I DON'T give a damn. "Racist" don't offend nor bother me. It's their right to be racist (or to hate what they don't know). As long as they don't physically hurt me or prevent me from earning money for my family...I don't care about what they say nor feel about me. If they don't like me around them, why would I want to be around them too. If they don't want me working for their company, I'll find another company that'll accept me. I've been called a dink, gook, oriental, brown monkey, etc. These are just words. These supposedly "derogatory" names never offended me because I did not let them. In fact, I use racism as a fuel to the fire. It helped me become a better student, employee and person because it kept me walking the straight path to prove to people that I am not what they think. I have more important things to worry about. Racism is not worth getting all riled up about. The sooner we accept that racism is primordially in our nature, the sooner we'll be able to move past it. I'm not saying it's ok to practice it but to give so much attention to it prevents us from making the most of our lives. No laws will change the hearts of racist. Laws against racism are superficial, immediate and temporary fix. They (together with religious practice of political correctness ) won't fix the underlying cause. Only people who are target of racism can change the hearts of racists by rising above the challenge.
not being racist
a lot of filipinos in the philippines are not not really aware that they are racists. i'm not saying its bad or good, but it has been part of our culture that only filipinos would ever understand. we call our "dark" friends "nognog' or "egoy" or "egot" and it's ok to them. we call our "light" friends "tisay" or "tisoy" and its ok. i only became totallay aware of these race issues when i moved here in america. but sometimes it's too much already, why can't i just say black? why do i have to say african-american? they don't call me filipino-american or asian-american or pacific-islander american or brown-american? do we call japanese-american yellow-american?
or america is just too sensitive about race issues? why can't we just call all citizens of usa americans? these are just questions that i don't know the answer. :) i'm not a racist and i hate racism.
(pardon my english) :)
Racism in the Philippines
Racism IS quite rampant in the Philippines. Albeit not quite as harsh as it is in America.
I am half Filipino and half chinese and I have been exposed to racism from both sides. I imagine the Fil-Ams have endured the same. And more often than not it is evident of the person's education.
While younger people are taught to be more tolerant, it is the older generation that actually displays racism. In a country where Elders are often emulated (even when they are wrong), therein lies the paradox.
Mico Halili is younger, and more educated in a global environment. Andy Jao, while well educated, comes from a more insular era when xenophobia was the order of the day.
I remember a particularly offensive joke about PBA Imports and Christmas Trees both having colored balls and I used to see it all the time in the early 90s' sports magazines. Back then, as a high school kid, I knew it was offensive. But it was in the mainstream media.
The funny thing is, Andy Jao is Chinese (like myself) and Chinese folks are often catalogued under the stereotype they have endured since the days of the Spanish era. "Dubious money grubbing business merchants who have excess spittle." An unfair stereotype to say the least yet Jao is insensitive to other races as well.
Dark skin is viewed as inferior and freakish. Even ugly. Just look at all the skin whitener ads all over the country and skin whitening CENTERS that make lots of money. Everybody wants to be fair skinned. The words Negro, Nognog, and Egoy, all derogatory are bandied about (like the poster said) by people thinking that "we don't mean anything by it" and "they know we don't" which as any educated person will tell you, is what racists say to themselves to justify their behavior.
Note to guy who posted above. A racist rarely ever views himself as racist. Every time you quip "egoy," you perpetuate the negative stereotype that being dark-skinned is funny and freakish and worthy of ridicule. Especially when you consider that Tisoy and Tisay are often compliments, not insults.
(To be fair though, we ridicule all flaws. Any physical abnormality, or odd behavior. Doesn't make it any less wrong but may explain a little bit of the mind set. Obesity, a long chin, a presidential mole... name it there's a society-accepted-norm/Filipino joke about it)
Filipinos, as the guy who posted the above comment noted, generally say it's okay to say these things but ask the people who are often the butt of these jokes anonymously and they will ALL say it's not. But society in the Philippines dictates they go along with it. If you object, we tend to say "wala kang pakisama" or "you're being too sensitive."
Here's the funny thing. Filipinos are generally sensitive when someone speaks ill of Filipinos. A Jay Leno or Adam Carolla joke, an off color comment in Desperate Housewives...have all been cause for public outrage. Yet Filipinos make jokes and stereotypes about Americans, Africans, Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Indians and Middle Eastern types all the time. In the media and off it.
The double standard is protected by a prevalent refusal to look at one's own flaws. A flaw in itself that promotes denial rather introspection. Of self justification rather than evaluation.
Just to test this, I once tried to defend against a racial slur in my old office. And I was ganged up upon as being too sensitive. "We don't mean anything by it." These were all good people of good moral standing but saying racial slurs is okay with them. They defended themselves saying that the term has been used in old educational books. I gave up at that point, stopping short of saying how old American educational literature also used the words "Negro" and "Nigger" yet these terms are clearly unacceptable in modern, more evolved times.
Another odd thing about Filipino racism though is that there is reverse Prejudice that counterpoints the fact. While we make all these racist jokes, the prejudice in terms of work and even preferential service or entrance at fancy joints and restaurants favors foreigners over locals.
Perhaps, we subconsciously justify our racism because we also deep down know that we are a race viewed upon as inferior as others. Even among ourselves. Generally discriminated on as domestic helpers (modern slaves) and sex trade fodder. That as victims of racism, we choose to respond in kind.
It's about taking them down to our level. And we revel in it.
I like this quote and it's apt here: "The problem with an eye for an eye is everyone ends up blind." (From an American animated series of all places)
Thankfully, younger generations like Mico Halili are slowly veering away from the practice. As evidenced by Rafe's post. But with as long as elders don't recognize their own stereotyping and racism, then the enlightened will always be swimming against the current.
It would take more than a workshop. We need a catharsis.
PS> Forgive the soapbox but the blog post got me worked up.
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let me speak in the language that i can express myself better. tagalog/english
you said: "A racist rarely ever views himself as racist."
so you are saying i'm a racist? fine!
hindi lahat ng tinatawag na tisoy or tisay ay compliment sa kanila yun. kagaya ko. hindi yun compliment para sa akin. dahil bilang isang filipino, mas gusto kong kayumanggi ang kulay ko. kailangan kong palaging magbabad sa araw para magkakulay ang balat ko. oo tisoy ako!
may kaibigan akong egoy ang palayaw, walang problema sa kanya, wala talagang problema maniwala ka. may kaibigan din akong nognog, though "nog" na lang ang ginagamit nya ngayong nickname. hindi ganun ang tawag namin sa kanila dahil nakakatawa sila or to borrow your word "freakish".
ang problema, itinuturing na kapangitan o kababaan ng uri ang pagigign maitim ng karamiihang pilipino. subalit wala itong kinalaman sa mga "itim" dito sa amerika, kung hindi ang mga aeta sa pilipinas. hindi pangit para sa akin ang mga aeta, sa mga karamihang pilipino siguro oo pero sa akin ay hindi.
you said: "Filipinos are generally sensitive when someone speaks ill of Filipinos"
hindi rin ako ganun. hindi kasi ako sensitibong tao pagdating sa mga ganyan. at never sumagi sa isip ko na "inferior" ang lahing filipino at ganun ang view ng iabng lahi sa mga pilipino. bakit? papaano? kailan?
"may nang-aapi dahil may nagpapa-api"
huwag sensitibo. huwag masyadong i-intelectualize ang mga ganitong bagay. dyan nagkakaroon ng problema. ang isang taong walang kamuwang-muwang, binigyan ng "karunungan", gulo tuloy ang kinalabasan.
so pare ko, hindi ako racist! i discriminate yes but i don't discriminate people because of the color of their skin! dinidiscriminate ko yung mga taong hindi ko katugma sa pag-iisip.
(sorry to some readers who don't understand tagalog).
Yun lang!
Joaquin (not a racist)
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Sa madaling sabi, wag na mag-atupag na magkaroon ng karunungan. hanggat wala akong kamuwang-muwang, at habang hindi ko alam na may nasasaktan sa sinasabi ko, mas maganda, dahil wala akong pananagutan sa lipunan na kinagagalawan ko.
Ika nga, ano ngayon kung sinabi ni Andy Jao na yang mga "egoy" na yan lang dapat ang magtapatan sa basketball, dahil pareho silang "egoy" na magaling lumundag at tumalon? Di naman alam ni Andy Jao na maaring makasakit yun. E ano ngayon kung "nationally televised" yun? Ano ngayon kung hindi naman alam ni Andy Jao kung ano ang paningin ni Robinson at ni Castro tungkol sa isyu ng "kulay"? Basta sa pagka-alam ni Andy Jao, yung ang nakagisnan nyang pakikitungo sa mga egoy at kano; sino ba tayo para sabihing mali sya?
Sabi nga nila salitang inggles na ayaw mong gamitin, "ignorance is bliss". Pero hindi ko alam na dapat ipagbawal ang "karunungan" para lagi na lang tayong may "bliss".
Oo nga't sabihin natin na ok lang kay nognog na tawagin syang nog (sa totoo lang, kahit ganun ang palayaw nya, di ko kayang tawagin syang ganun). O kay tisay or tisoy na tawagin syang tisa/oy (sa totoo lang, matutuwa pa yun, kikiligin pa at gumagana ang kanyang whitening lotion). Sinasabi nilang ok lang yun. Pero malay ba natin kung ano ang naramdaman nila habang sila ay lumalaki. Habang tuloy tuluyan syang tinutuksong nognog nung bata pa sya. Marahil sumuko na lang sya. "Ano pa magagawa ko, e lahat sila tawag sa akin nognog, e di tanggapin ko na lang. Panindigan ko na".
Sa akin, hindi dapat dumaan sa hirap at katakot takot na tukso si "nog" para tanggapin nya na lang ang palaywa na nog. Di ba mas maganda ang isang lipunan na hindi kelangang sumuko ni Nog at tanggapin na Nog na lang ang palayaw nya? Na bibigyan sya ng palayaw na mas gusto nya, at hindi dahil yun ang itsura nya? Pero marahil tama ka. Siguro kung may anak kang mataba, tatawagin ko na lang syang palagi na "baboy" hanggang sumuko na lang sya at gawin nya itong palayaw.
Oo, hindi ka nga racist, sa iyong palagay. Oo, mahilig ka lang mang-alaska. E di bakit ka dumedepensa dito? Ang tinutukoy lang naman ay yung mga nagsasabing pare-pareho lang ang mga negrong half-filipino, kaya dapat sila na lang maglaban laban. Kung baga sa boxing, dapat may sariling "weight division" ang mga egoy.
Hindi naman tungkol sa pang-aasar natin sa mga ibang itsura ang tinutukoy ng artikulong ito. Ang tinutukoy ay ang pag "label" sa isang tao dahil lang nagkataon na itim sya at iba ang lahi nya.
Dahil na apektuhan ka sa pananalita dito, at iniisip mong medyo patama sayo, ibig sabihin para sa iyo, may koneksyon pa rin ang pag alaska na "nognog" o "tisay" sa pagiging ibang lahi ng isang tao. At wag mo sabihin sakin na sa loob looban ni Jao ay inaalaska lang nya yung dalawa dahil pareho silang maitim. Di naman yata tayo ganun katanga. Alam natin ang ibig sabihin ni Andy Jao (kahit wala syang nakitang mali dito): "Uy, pareho silang kalahating negro. Pareho silang hindi purong pilipino. Magandang dyok ito."
Masaya ako na kampante ka sa kulay mo. Ganun naman talaga dapat. Pero ikaw yun. At ako yun. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na pag ngumiti lang ang isang half-indian pag tinawag ko syang Bumbay, o ang black na tawagin ko syang Negro ay ok lang yun.
Sabi mo, "may nang-aapi, may nagpapa-api". E pano kung ang isang tao, ayaw lang ng gulo? Kaysa mang-api ng iba, magpapa-api na lang sya para walang away. Dahil ba ganun sya, ok lang na ituloy ko ang panunukso sa kanya? Tutal, kasalanan nya, nagpapa-api sya e.
E ano mas gusto mo, mang-away sya?
Sabi nga ni Rizal, edukasyon ang susi sa kaunlaran. Pero kung gusto mong manataili ang Pilipinas sa kawalan ng "karunungang" at manatiling "mangmang", kagustuhan mo yan. At may karapatang kang mag "discriminate" sa mga taong hindi mo kapareho mag isip. At sa isyung ito, matutuwa ako kung i-discriminate mo ako ng lubusan.
Mike (hindi katugma ng pagiisip ni Joaquin, kaya siguro ay isang racist)
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Joaquin,
Of course I believe you when you say that you're not a racist. By all means, keep on calling the dark-skinned lad "egoy" "nognog" and "negro". It's really nothing to me, since that's your life.
And I'm not debating. I'm expressing my opinion on the matter. Heaven forbid I actually enter into a debate with someone who does not give priority to education and knowledge, and would rather perpetuate ignorance. If that's where you're happy, then keep holding on to the status quo. I just hope the rest of the country does not keep you company, so that we can have a chance at actual progress.
And I'm not really sure where you got the idea that i'm flaunting any knowledge of the "world wide web". Far as I know, I didn't really use any internet trivia, or make use of any special "world wide web" knowledge to reply to you (I just clicked on "reply" and typed. Doesn't really take much, does it?). Oh, maybe you were referring to my Rizal quote? Nope, I learned that from reading.
By the way, sorry didn't provide a translation for my earlier post (as the person who shared my views did. Thanks, by the way). I was thinking that it would give Paeng some calisthenics in Tagalog. Not that he needs it, but hey, a workout is always good, right? :)
And to keep this post in-topic, I would just really like to see us actually listen to some constructive criticisim, instead of automatically being defensive, and playing the "culture" card. Yes, some things are cultural, of course. But some things are just wrong, if one bothers to look at the big picture.
Mike (racist, as always)
Congratulations!
Wala akong panahong makipag-debate sayo o makipag-away. Hindi ikaw ang pinuna ko. Hindi ko naibigan ang tila pag-akusa mo na ako ay racist. Hindi ko matatanggap yon kaya ako nagcomment ulit.
Kung ikinasisiya mo ang pagjajakol ng iyong kaalaman sa world wide web, angkinin mo ng lubos ang entablado,isang masigabong palakpakan sayo! Bravo!
Mabuhay ka!
Joaquin
Ng
Sang-ayon ako kay Mike.
Sang-ayon ako kay Mike.
Dahil ako na rin yung unang nagpahiwatig ng kalooban ko sa naunang pahayag ni Joaquin, nais ko lang ipaalala na ganyan nga ang karaniwang reaction ng karamihan nating mga Pilipino. Sa halip na ating kilatisin yung ating pagakakamali, at tanggapin na maaring mayroon tayong pagkukulang, bibira na lang tayo na laban sa mga nakapuna nito. Ayaw nating harapin ang katotoohanan at aminin na, "Ay mali nga itong ginagawa natin." Marahil kaya hindi tayo umuunlad, sapagkat hanggang ngayon, mahigpit pa rin ang kapit natin sa marami-raming makalumang paniniwala.
Alam mo ba na nung mga sinaunang panahon, ganyan din ang naranasan ng mga african-american slaves mula sa mga puting nag mamay-ari sa kanila. Kailangan nilang tumawa at tiisin na lang ang kabastusan, na nung panahon na yun ay tinaguriang "normal." Kailangang magkunwari na ayos lang ang lahat, at bawal umamin.
Bagamat hindi na bugbog ang kapalit nito sa kasulukuyan na panahon, meron pa ring pressure mula sa kapwa na tanggapin na lang ito kung ayaw mo masiraan at matawag na masyadong maarte.
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Now, for the benefit of anyone reading this exchange who happens to be less than fluent in our native tongue.
I agree with Mike (who pretty much disputed the notion posted by Joaquin which essentially describes hurling insults is okay because the other guy is taking it and laughing along side you)
Because I was the first person who actually responded to Joaquin, I feel the need to remind those reading that this is exactly the typical reaction we Filipinos default to whenever criticized. Instead of looking at the mirror and admitting we have a problem, we choose to lash out defensively like we are once again the victims. Perhaps that is why we have a tough time progressing. Because we don't want to admit that we cling to outmoded beliefs and standards.
Did you (Joaquin) know that what you described actually parallels the situation of african-american slaves brought to America in the old days? When they were forced to endure insults and ridicule by just smiling and accepting because that was the norm. They needed to pretend that everything is peachy keen and they must not admit they were hurt.
Of course, in the current environment (here), the punishment for doing so is not a beating, but rather the potential for becoming ostracized by a societal enclave on which your livelihood depends on because you are too sensitive.
Graft and corruption in the
Graft and corruption in the government is the biggest reason why the Philipines is not progressing. The Filipinos' old belief and standards has little to do with it.
With all the help provided to African-Americans (i.e. welfare, affirmative action, free education, free healthcare), why is it that they, as a race, haven't progressed substantially. A big reason is that most of them have a victim mentality. When one chose to stop and complain instead of moving on, they get stuck and miss opportunities to better their current situation.
The president of the United
The president of the United States is African American, I'd say they're doing far better than you give them credit for.
And actually, simply blaming the government IS an example of "old beliefs and standards." By relying solely on the government, and expecting them to fix everything instead of being proactive, it perpetuates the cycle of bad governance and finger pointing that keeps us mired in helpless dependency. That's actually Juan Tamad waiting for the the situation to fix itself instead of getting up and finding other solutions.
Oh, and always taking the streets and holding revolutions is an antiquated way of response to bad governance. Yet that is our first recourse each time out. It propagates the cycle of replacement rather then development. Another "old belief and standard."
I agree with the victim mentality, regardless of race. But by always blaming the government, we too fall under the victim mentality sphere you admonish. We DO choose to stop and complain about the government all the time instead of starting change in ourselves. We expect others to change but not ourselves. That's why we, as you so clearly pointed out, get stuck and miss opportunities to better our current situation.
But we're way off topic now. My bad.
Back to racial perceptions and accepted norms on sports commentators' ignorant wisecracks...
The US president might be
The US president might be African American but he belongs to a small percentage of a larger community where things are not well. Doing far better today you say? It may look like it from the surface but what matters is what’s going on underneath. You state that “reliance on the government is being Juan Tamad waiting for the situation to fix itself instead of getting up and finding other solutions.” This is THE problem that ails the general African American community.
Was I blaming the government? Or was I just blaming the people who run the government? And WHO is relying on the government? Definitely not me. I wasn’t raised that way. You assume too much. But the fact of the matter is the Philippines’ biggest problem is graft and corruption. It’s not finger pointing because it’s a FACT.
Taking to the streets as antiquated way of response to bad governance? I wouldn’t say it’s antiquated because it works. It’s always an option. Not always THE only option but it works when used in the right situation. “Replacement” is needed (replacement supposedly with a better one) to have an environment conducive to positive development. How can positve development take place when the environment that’s supposed to nurture this development is decaying? It’s like a kid who is growin up in a family of goons, drunkards, wife beaters, gamblers, etc. There is a big chance this kid will grow up to be like his family.
Again, who is blaming the government? Certainly not me. I blame the people who RUN the government. And though I blame these people, I ALWAYS depend on myself to better my current situation. Just because I blame the people who run the government doesn’t mean I don’t help myself. Again, you assume too much. Also, there’s nothing wrong in blaming the government and voicing out ones complaints. It’s OUR RIGHT to do that.
Ok, back to racial perception and accepted norms on sports commentator’s ignorant wisecracks…
You said so yourself, you are into NOT complaining and just doing what you think would better your current situation. So racial perception and sports commentator’s ignorant wisecracks are big issues because what again? I mean, certainly, derogatory names, racial perceptions and bigotry in general are wrong but would those things hinder a person from success if one chooses not to let it?
Very well said. You expressed
Very well said. You expressed my sentiments perfectly. And you are entitled to be worked up over this, since it's also been bugging me for quite some time.
Race-ism, national identity, or something else?
Great post and one of the best I've read regarding one of the issues Rafe touches upon in his book. Just a point of clarification, you mention that you are half Filipino/half Chinese (I'm assuming that your mother or father is a recent Chinese national and not a member of one of the Chinese clans who have been living in the Philippines for generations)- Do you consider Filipinos and Chinese to be of different races?