DEVASTATING Housewives

Here are the ff. links for you to be able to see anything about Desperate Housewives Brouhaha:

Michelle Malkin on Desperate Housewives

Fil-Am Doctors fuming at American TV Series Slur

Pinoys seek apology from Desperate Housewives

Many find Desperate Housewive’s “Sorry” Not Enough

California senator hit TV show’s “desperate attempt at humor”

That racial slur on “Desperate Housewives”—your opinion matters.

and other related stories on GMANews.TV

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I’ve been thinking about writing my POV, but only this time with a fewer message since I’m about to run out of wits and words again.

First off, I am not watching Desperate Housewives and have no interest in watching US TV Dramas/Comedies. For some “coñotic” Pinoys out there, you can call me “jologs” for my indifference with those series, but I just don’t feel like watching them. If I’d be going to watch US TV Series, only reality shows (Hell’s Kitchen, America’s Next Top Model, The 5th Wheel etc…) and talk shows (The Tyra Show)… though I don’t watch them that much. (BTW… why should you care on what others’ watchin’ anyway… hahahha!).

When I found out this brouhaha, I just laughed my head-off with sarcasm. Nope, not onto ranting Filipinos but those who made this concept “Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines.”

I have even asked my younger sister her opinions regarding this. According to her, you can’t erase such prejudistic remarks or some racist mindsets of Intolerant Whites since they have been like that (though there is no intention to generalize all Whites in the US), but that is really an insult to Filipino Med Pros’ capability to treat patients effectively and efficiently. The said remark of Susan, who was played by Teri Hatcher, is like promoting /saying “The services made by Filipino Medical Professionals SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED”. And so I agreed. Same thing goes by Grace.

Sorry to some insensitive Filipinos who lambast their fellow Filipinos as the latter lambasts DH’s producers and even Teri Hatcher, I won’t be taking your side. Though I understand your rationale, I can’t regard her dialogue as a “joke matter”. The producers of the said show and even Teri Hatcher should be responsible and watchful if the dialogue means racist/prejudistic or not. Granting that we had our Nursing Exam Fiasco, or any controversies surrounded the Philippines (being the corrupt country, the terrorist-infested land etc…etc…) but this is out of the issue. Does cheating on the exams affect your quality of service to your patients? There are some of us who haven’t cheated in Medical Board Exams and able to pass but still commit medical malpractice. Isn’t it hurtful or even insulting? You can shrugg your heads off, but this REALLY happens.

The most important thing is your heart to dedication towards patients, not your degree or even exam standing.

I can even tell this to you with full humility: If not for Filipino Health Workers, those feisty whites will have no choice but to deal with their rude fellerz of their own race. Even in Call Center/BPO industry. If not with these Filipino Call Center Agents, those feisty white customers will be spewing tantrums in their seats because they were counter-disrespected by the Call Center Agents of their own race. I am not bragging for my fellow Filipinos, but we are universally known for being hospitable and warm—-disregarding being racist to their own race. And I am proud of being a Filipino somehow because Americans and even people from other countries extremely appreciate with Filipinos’ welcoming attitude and perseverance.

In addition to this, I also came across another racism-related article from GMANews.TV .

Geezz…. How pathetically dismaying. Granting that I abhor Cory Aquino with much passion, but labeling her “slut” is untakably distasteful! Does that The Daily Show knows how to use the term “slut” correctly? The producers of the said American TV show should better go back to school to learn Sociology and English Grammar. They should’ve think bajillion times before labeling Cory Aquino a “slut”. Just because a woman leader lacks presidential capabilities does that make her a “slut”? Just because our country is currently facing prostitution issues (we are #2 in prostitution) does that make Cory a “slut”? Not only racist but sexist as well.

Does these producers couldn’t think of anything decent to make their shows rate so well?

Without a doubt, I am not having a heart on American TV Series or even Movies. Aside from being no longer original, formula-driven, and sensuality-infested, some of their shows promoting racism, sexism and double standarding.

Ms. Kris Aquino, are you aware of this news? Because if you do, I am dead sure you’d be wailing on National TV for your mum.

I can’t believe that sexism and double-standarding is still existent in a country that is perceived to be “having equal opportunity and progressive”.

To the Filipinos: I guess we should not also feel TOO OFFENDED regarding this matter. Before you react, you should also examine yourselves if haven’t you been racist or not. As far as I can remember, we are not just racists but ethnicists as well. We call names and we irrationally bash on other ethnicities and those with Black ancestry. Indians, Chinese, Japanese and Koreans (more probably) aren’t even spared from nitpicking mindsets of Filipinos in our own country. Worse, our own race is even facing discrimination from no other than us. I also came across from a commentary made by a Fil-Am commenter at Cheesedip.com.

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May 1, 2005 10:04 AM

 

 

Chris said:

Letter sent to ABS-CBN on racial discrimination and hate…

Dear ABS-CBN management and shareholders:

I am writing this letter to express my extreme disappointment and utter disbelief in ABS-CBN for perpetuating racial discrimination and ignorance. On October 18, 2005, I saw a scene from the Yes Yes Show in which a character played by Aiko Melendez said “Nigger, Nigger, Nigger” at least three times consecutively to a seemingly black individual as a comedic punch line which meant to designate the said individual as an inferior and disgusting human being. It is demeaning, degrading, belittling, and mean-spirited, and it shows the ignorance of Filipino people.

As a minority of Filipino decent, born in the Philippines but raised in the United States, I have studied, and to some extent experienced, the struggles of African Americans or blacks, Chinese, Latinos, Filipinos, and other minorities who suffered, and still continue to, face racial discrimination. How many people have died fighting racial discrimination, and how many people today continue to be oppressed because of it? In 1999, I was chosen by my University as the student delegate on The Advancement of Minority Groups held in Washington, DC, and we discussed ways to promote our Filipino culture and fight prejudice, racial discrimination, and hatred. Thereafter, I conducted forums and seminars to advance the lot of the Filipinos and other minorities.

Since I have been raised in the US, I came back to the Philippines to rediscover my roots, to learn about my culture, to find what it is like to be a Filipino, a Pinoy, to contribute to my society by teaching what I know, and instead, I found something quite appalling and disgusting: my very own Filipino, my own kababayan, the ones I have been fighting for in the US, the ones I have been trying to represent and be proud of, who are advancing racial discrimination, prejudice, and hate. I am completely discombobulated and disturbed by this phenomenon.

“Nigger, nigger, nigger.” Those words reverberate in my head, as they slowly turn into “monkey, monkey, monkey.” Am I a brown monkey, chink, or yellow because I am Filipino, and I look Asian? Am I a dog killer? Am I dog eater? Do I eat cats? Am I a spic, a beaner, or a wetback because I also look Mexican? These are hurtful words that have been used by racist Americans to degenerate, degrade, belittle, and demean the human spirit. As a student activist in the US, I have tried my very best to educate those few hateful and ignorant people. And as a visitor here in this country, a balikbayan, and seeing this horrid scene on national television, I feel compelled to speak out; to simply let is pass would make me an irresponsible human being.

This is the 21st century and one would expect that people are a little more sensitive to racial issues through the advancement of technology, globalization, modernization, education, forums, and debate among many other factors. I believe the native Filipinos were once called “Indios,” a derogatory term bestowed upon them by their Spanish masters. So why should ABS-CBN and its management allow “Nigger,” a derogatory term bestowed upon the black African Americans who were captured and enslaved by their white, Anglo or Caucasian masters? Why would a political leader elected into office such as Aiko Melendez even agree to play such a character?

Do the people that subscribe to The Filipino Channel worldwide know that ABS-CBN is promoting hatred and racial discrimination? Do the shareholders know that they are supporting a station that is insensitive, careless, and irresponsible in regards to race issues? Growing up in the US, I have always thought that the Filipinos are respectful, responsible, and disciplined. I am totally dismayed by ABS-CBN’s actions as they have portrayed the Filipino people otherwise.

When I go back home to the US next month, I can only be truthful to those who will ask me how my trip was. I have seen so many beautiful things. And I have also seen so many ugly and disgusting things. I have seen the resiliency of the people, and at the same time, I have seen their widespread ignorance. Perhaps this ignorance is what makes the people resilient, for one must fall in order to display an act of resiliency. Perhaps this is a never-ending vicious cycle. I will let them know about this incident.

“Monkey, monkey, monkey!” I can only hope that when I get home, I will not get this reception as I step out of my plane, and live once again with my fellow Americans.

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This is just a reminder for all of us. To Kapamilya fans, it’s up to you if you go rabid with this comment or not. Why should we care about that anyway?

I guess I’ve said enough. Don’t make me owe an apology for such lambastments made by me.

Again. I am not watching Desperate Housewives, and will not titillated with some too-sexy scenes of a group of sex-starved women characters.

[P.S.: How are you now A.O. Scott? Do you remember the times you've flaunted American series as you bash Korean series I/We Kapuso fans loved as "contrived, formulaic and one-dimensional", being Jewel in the Palace as "overrated" and me as "jologs, Korean TV is what I only know and my IQ can know, and should go to Korea and work there as a maid". Do you AO Scott, you have just stumbled to whom you consider as "maid material", don't you know that? And your flaunting on American Series as superb is really fallacious, because not all of them are "unique and fresh". They are even as "formula-driven", "sex-infested" and "contrived" like any Pinoy series (after all, saan naman nakukuha ng mga Pinoy producers ang idea nila, right?). Some has sex scenes that are not too important for the show and the latest.... showing racial slur.

A.O. Scott, 'yan ba ang shows na pinagmamalaki mo at pinagyayabang mo?

And don't get me started by saying "Ang babaw mo naman, palibhasa kasi Korean TV lang ang alam mong intindihin" or "It's just a friggin' show" or even "Para ganun lang eh racist na... ang tanga tanga mo naman". ]