I never had to think much about race and ethnicity until I came to live in America.
These issues are not as contentious in the Philippines compared to the US or other countries where there is a heavy influx of migrants. This does not mean that prejudices are absent from Philippine culture. But there are no race riots, no discrimination. Filipinos have mostly been welcoming, being naturally curious, hospitable, and believers in the saying, “the more, the merrier!”
In America, though, it seems as if race and ethnicity crops up in almost every interaction. I spoke to several white people on different occasions and mentioned that I migrated here recently. They all remarked, “But you speak English so well!” I want to reply, “So do you,” but I reigned in my sarcasm. After all, I am the newbie here and who should be the one to adjust? Ako. Ako ang mag-aadjust.
This could be construed as a micro-aggression and I did feel “othered,” but I know there was no offense meant, it was just a display of ignorance.
I am also often mistaken for Latina by Latinx people, so I am addressed with a torrent of Spanish in public places until I shake my head, “No hablo, only un poco.” Such interactions make me feel “included”, until they learn I am not Latina and invisible barriers descend.
When someone asks where I’m from and I reply, “I used to live in Union City but we’re now in Hayward,” because they can tell I’m not from around here, they ask, “No, where are you FROM?” “Oh, you mean, where am I from originally? The Philippines.” Only then does the puzzle piece fall into place.
Then they’ll cast about for an anecdote they can share to establish common ground—“My best friend is Filipino!” “My cousin’s wife is Filipina!” I’m glad to report that so far, all the people I’ve spoken with on the subject have only glowing words to say about Filipinos, except about that one guy. “Err…your president now. He’s something else,” they say diplomatically, and I answer, “Yeah…so’s yours…” We raise eyebrows knowingly and leave it at that.
My sister, who was an overseas worker in Dubai for 16 years, says that race was an open matter of discussion there and in other areas with a large OFW population. People were “brownies,” “blackies,” or “whities,” and they called each other that to their faces. When she first arrived in the US, she was scolded for referring to her co-workers the same way. Race is not openly mentioned in polite conversation, although ethnicity is more readily discussed.
It seems the higher the numbers of different races and ethnicities in a country, the more these factors become meaningful in that society.
I am not offended when asked what my ethnicity is, because it’s a piece of information that could help another person decide how to act around you.
The uncertainty reduction theory (also known as the initial interaction theory), pertains to the initial interaction between people before the actual communication process develops. The person is uncertain because she doesn’t know much about you at first, and tries to reduces this feeling by trying to know something about you or finding something you have in common.
The “onion” theory (social penetration theory) says that as relationships develop, communication moves from shallow to deeper, more personal layers.
To the people I meet here, I am as much a stranger to them as they are to me. By learning that I am Filipina, they have peeled away the first layer of my onion. The more time we spend together, the more information about each other we will share, and perhaps then we will no longer be strangers to each other but friends.
Race and ethnicity are socially constructed features. In America and its present situation, these are significant matters. What we have to decide for ourselves is how these factors influence how we treat each other.
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The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication is accepting nominations for the 13th UP Gawad Plaridel, for an outstanding television practitioner.
Nominations may be made by individuals and institutions. The criteria for selecting the awardee are the person’s body of work and contributions to social upliftment.
Submit nominations by March 22, 2017. Email [email protected] for details.
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. FB: Jenny Ortuoste / Twitter: @jennyortuoste / IG: @jensdecember