mia, or tina as we used to call her here in manila, is my high school classmate. after high school graduation she moved back to the states and sought out her life, and recently thanks to the internet, we got in touch again and i would like to share one of her blog entries, just a bitter dose of reality to those of us who are very tired of taking calls from these americans, to those of us who still dream or need to work as a nurse or like myself as a physical therapist there, someday.
and i quote:
"May 14, 2008 - Wednesday
| | Using word n*gger is never right
Current mood:  frustrated
Category: News and Politics The Marine Corps taught me a lot about life, taking the high road when no one else will and respecting others. But never in a million years would I have imagined that the one thing I didn't learn was that somehow, society will look at my kids and call them that hateful word.
I am a first and second generation citizen, born of Mexican and Filipino parents. My kids have that mix plus Irish and German backgrounds. And I accept, with a grain of salt, that others view my heritage as dirty, lazy, freeloading and overburdened with criminals. Whatever. And I have also heard the N word used between friends when I was still in California. But here in the Deep South, that word brings different sentiments.
What I didn't learn from the Corps was how the divide between race, gender and religion were still so prevelant in society at large. Even on TWS, there are forum posts that still bleed with hatred and discrimination. And yes, you can argue that that is how non-uniformed citizens conduct themselves and I should be used to it. But I have traveled around the world, and lived in many societies, where I was the foreigner and unwelcomed by the majority. But can someone here please explain to me why 1) my background is the target of violence and hatred (both on CNN and TWS), 2) how my son and deceased brother became n*ggers and maybe most imortantly,3) how in the hell am I supposed to react to it all?
I don't think the N word and Latina were ever supposed to be synonymous expletives, but really, it all boils down to the same thing if it is used to with the intent to claim racial superiority over another. Last time I checked, I was no less of a Marine or even an American, because I have slanted eyes, weigh 100 pounds or keep birthing out babies (which I can afford by the way, and am not on Welfare over). But what I am today is a disabled veteran who would have died for all of you had I been called to do so, and I refuse to teach my kids that they are less worthy of the very respect Marines fight for.
So, having voiced an opinion, I invite one of you, to explain to me how what I did for the U.S.A. is less deserving of respect than any of my less racially mixed counterparts. My sons and the memory of my deceased brother deserve better than that. When a racial comment is made and/or directed based solely on the color of ones skin, then that is called racism.
It can be sugar coated all you want, but it is what it is. Please think about the messages you are trying to send out when you send them." |
my roomate just got his US visa approved yesterday and sooner he'll be leaving us soon :-( .. can i repost this for him.. 
