Hello friends,
If you feel comfortable doing so, please take a minute to sign the following petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/FilABC/) demanding an apology from ABC for allowing an ignorant remark regarding the Pilipino and Pilipino-American community to be recently made on Desperate Housewives (see attached email below). Also, if you feel comfortable doing so, feel free to email ABC your opinions directly at abc7@abc.com. Thank you!
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Dear Kababayan and Allies:
I heard through the grapevine about a remark made on an episode of
"Desperate Housewives" last night. The scene entailed Teri Hatcher's
character (Susan) at a hospital, being told by her gynecologist
that she might be hitting menopause. Susan replied, "Can I just
check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are
not from some med school in the Philippines." If you go to abc.com,
you watch the full episode and witness the scene at about 18:50
minutes into the
episode.
This type of derogatory remark is not only unnecessary and hurtful,
but is also unfounded, considering the presence of Filipinos and
Filipino Americans in the health care industry. Filipinos are the
second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many
entering the U.S. and passing their U.S. licensing boards as
doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. In fact, the Philippines
produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So,
to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino
Americans in health care is disrespectful and plain and simply
ignorant.
As Filipino Americans, we need to band together to ensure that this
type of hateful message is not allowed to continue on our television
and radio airwaves. Given the recent amounts of media attention that
has been given to Michael Richards (against African Americans),
Isaiah Washington (against gays), and Rosie O'Donnell (against
Asian/ Chinese Americans), it is ridiculous that this type of
hateful speech made it through various screenwriters, the show's
producers, the show's actors, and ABC itself. Yet, this isn't the
first time that negative remarks have been made about the
Philippines or Filipinos in the past. In recent years, we've heard
one too many "dogeater" comments by "comedian" Joan Rivers on the
red carpet or in her standup act, and I believe that it is about
time that we stand up for ourselves, so that this type of hateful
speech never happens again.
Please join me in expressing your concern, disappointment, and/or
disgust to the producers of ABC.com. You can sign the petition at
http://www.petition online.com/FilABC/ or you can reach them directly
at abc7@abc.com.
And please feel free to forward this widely to other Filipinos/
Filipino Americans/ Asian Americans/ and other allies.
Sincerely,
Kevin Nadal,
Filipino Performance Artist/ Activist
knadal@gmail.com
