Racism: Can We Talk?

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We know how it is to walk on eggshells when we have to talk about politics and religion with our families and friends. It's a lot easier to take the cop-out route -- not to bring up anything controversial when we gather with people we love. But in the past two months, ever since we saw the gruesome video of George Floyd dying in the hands of the police and witnessed the emergence of Black Lives Matter and nationwide anti-racist protests, we have been forced to reckon with anti-Black attitudes in our midst, be it in us or in our circles. Add to this the alarming increase of pandemic-induced racist rants directed at Asians, including Filipinos, and we know that it's time to have a conversation about racism. But how do we do it without breaking filial bonds?

Last week we posted the written versions and the audio recording of Positively Filipino's first webinar on the historical roots of the Filipino colonial mind and of white supremacy in the US. Both provide an abbreviated but very timely education on how we were "programmed" to look at white as the superior race, and how White supremacy was legalized and embedded in US history -- the better for us to understand how we feel and why we should care. 

In case you missed the lectures, here are the links:

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-colonial-legacy-of-racism-among-filipinos

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/white-supremacy-and-black-oppression-in-law-and-society

Last Monday, our second webinar focused more pointedly on "A Difficult Conversation," which tackled the prevailing racist attitudes among Filipinos and how to start a constructive conversation with our families about the issue. Our panelists, Professors Evelyn Ibatan Rodriguez of the University of San Francisco and Anthony Ocampo of Cal Poly Pomona, provided enlightening and valuable insights on the topic.

Next week, Thursday, July 23, join us with immigrant activist Jose Antonio Vargas and immigration attorney Lourdes Tancinco for our third webinar: Immigrants in the Time of Racial Unrest, Pandemic, and Trump

Racism History

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In answer to the many requests of those who attended the first of a series of Positively Filipino webinars on "Racism and the Filipino American," held on June 29, 2020, we are posting in this week's issue excerpts from Dr. Michael Gonzalez's presentation on "The Colonial Legacy of Racism Among Filipinos" plus answers to questions posted to him during the webinar that were not answered, due to time constraints.

Likewise, we have Atty. William Tamayo's slide presentation on "White Supremacy and Black Oppression in Law and Society," the US side of the racism issue. We are also posting Bill's answers to questions on this topic. 

Our second webinar will be on Monday,  July 13 at 6 pm PDT/9pm EDT (9 am Tuesday July 14 in the Philippines). We hope you can join us for this very interesting -- and most likely difficult but definitely thought-provoking--conversation. Seats are filling up quickly so please register now at:  bit.ly/PFDifficultConversation

We also invite you to spend this Friday night (Saturday morning Manila time) with Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Apl.de.Ap, Ryan Cayabyab and other musical stars for the virtual concert/fundraising of Philippine International Aid. See Partner post below for details. On this one there's no need to register. Just go to Martin Nievera's Facebook page at the designated time and enjoy. 

This Week’s Stories:

The Colonial Legacy Of Racism Among Filipinos By Michael Gonzalez

White Supremacy And Black Oppression In Law And Society By William Tamayo

Racism And The Filipino American: Pigments Of History

Read Again: When Hilario Met Sally: The Fight Against Anti-Miscegenation Laws By Alex S. Fabros, Jr.

The Happy Home Cook: Halaya Cinnamon Rolls By Amy Schlanger

Video of the Week: My Uncle Spanky, The Rock Star Who Left It All Behind

In The Know

Soldiers as ‘nanlaban’ victims
https://opinion.inquirer.net/131473/soldiers-as-nanlaban-victims?fbclid=IwAR2-fED3PCzSvmnatLyeSiyvJUh0nexnsEsN1CP6H2ndMeUS6yh1RH0JTVE

It’s Time to Decolonize Wine
https://punchdrink.com/articles/time-to-decolonize-wine-sommelier-racism-restaurants/

Valenzuela City’s pandemic response: ‘Everything has to happen now’
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/265071-everything-has-to-happen-now-coronavirus-response-valenzuela-city?fbclid=IwAR0JjXHvHBMXoVdCDblqQvdZdnNDk9vtpfMxwHzRqqjE6Fc3zTTDACp91Xg

'King of the road' rules again as Philippines eases lockdown
https://news.yahoo.com/king-road-rules-again-philippines-100207366.html

Paulino Alcantara: The Filipino from Iloilo Who Became the World's First Asian Football Star
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/sports/paulino-alcantara-a00304-20191213-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200705-fbnp-life-paulino-alcantara-a00304-20191213-lfrm2-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR3_hA4kYEuAAt5sZpmHSy6E6XdXBipKGBAtMC9Y0ZSOJCui_r3QKBQihzc

The Gender Fluid History of the Philippines
https://www.ted.com/talks/france_villarta_the_gender_fluid_history_of_the_philippines 

A Time for Reflection

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The enduring civil unrest following a white police officer's killing of George Floyd, a Black man, has also triggered widespread conversations and reflections about racism, in the midst of a quarantine that has lasted for months. There is soul-searching among individuals of color, too, including Filipinos, as to how we and our immediate circles are responding to this momentous social unrest.

Soul-searching, however, could benefit from the context or guidance of history and social analysis.  For this reason, Positively Filipino is hosting a series of webinars to discuss the historical and sociological roots of racial prejudice against Black Americans--including among Filipinos--to better  understand the challenges posed by the systemic and oppressive racial prejudice that affects us all.

Please join us for these important conversations via Zoom. Details below. To register, please click on this link: bit.ly/PFPigmentsOfHistory

This week’s stories:

Racism: Reflections Of A Bridge Generation Filipino American By Peter Jamero

How Filipinos Are Coping With COVID-19, Part 2: Germany, Switzerland, Spain, France By Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard

Biking In The Pandemic By Criselda Yabes

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 7 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Read Again: In the Heat of the Night: The Exeter and Watsonville Riots 1929-1930 — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora 

For our recipe of the week, we have Chef Roline Casper’s Ginisang Ampalaya.

In The Know links:

Under Coronavirus Lockdown, a Philippine Priest Hits the Streets
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/22/world/asia/coronavirus-philippines-priest.html?smid=fb-share&fbclid=IwAR07HGkn8kXJ6d2AdMwCvwf64WYH4bDzM1lPCZYK8g4mjcYyxnUIo27i6s0

In Philippines, a child alleges abuse by Catholic priest — and tests Vatican promise for global reckoning
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/06/23/philippines-child-alleges-abuse-by-catholic-priest-tests-vatican-promise-global-reckoning/?arc404=true&fbclid=IwAR0YvDOdTO3EtI3-T1mb1dQeoQWZZRssJwr_7D4PVGSluwFSS9h_kIVgSCo

Returning to My Father’s Kitchen
https://lunchticket.org/returning-to-my-fathers-kitchen/?fbclid=IwAR3xReU81H0RudZYJWQ45V6LM2mKxA4-OJ1WjEbsXGCX6DSR5dLHeXZaYUM

'My Sons Are Filipinos Because Life in the Philippines Is All They Know'
https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/parenting/real-parenting/i-want-to-raise-my-boys-knowing-filipino-values-a1746-20180329?utm_source=Facebook-SP&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200619-fbnp-parenting-i-want-to-raise-my-boys-knowing-filipino-values-a1746-20180329-fbold-fbcap&fbclid=IwAR18A2bJhRMo3iHQRLyOVVrmgr3G5xxkqfy1XeyArPLAEYi46UkB1RfEtdg

For Video of the Week: Last June 12, 2020 (Philippine Independence Day), Kabud Multimedia Production uploaded “Yan ang Pilipino,” an uplifting music video of one of the songs from “Halo-Halo Tayo”, a play from the Carl Jung Circle Center.