July 16, 2004

• Today, I am wearing the "Filipino. American." version of The Debut shirt.  While in the elevator, I received a "So you're Filipino American huh?"  I responded, "Yes."  Then she asked, "Why do you think the Philippines has so many women presidents."  At this point I wish I had handled this differently.  I wanted to spout off on how the Philippines has always placed the woman at the top of the totem pole, always in a revered position, ever since pre-Hispanic times, and although the introduction of Catholicism introduced the ideas of original sin, and attempted to reduce the position and influence of women, the echoes of that tradition and belief continue to live today.  Rather, I reversed the question, and asked, "Why do you think?"  I have to admit, I thought that she wanted to try to condescendingly tell me about why the Philippines is this way or that.  My bad.  That was an assumption that was disrespectful and didn't need to be made.  Being socially conscious also means tempering our own assumptions and prejudices, or else we are doomed to be exactly that which we are attempting to change.

  • 12:34 pm
  • 2 Comments