The Debut (2001) dir. Gene Cajayon
I definitely related to this movie. I could see the generational trauma in my own family. My Lolo would physically beat my aunt, uncles, and mom but not as much. Emotional manipulation and emotional absence was present. I think that domestic violence in the house should be talked about more in this class. The generalization that discipline is different in white homes versus APIA homes has truth to it because different cultures have different values that inform the way child raising is done. But, I think the reality of domestic violence can be written off in statements of this is how it goes so it should continue this way. If this conversation can be opened up within the community and pain processed and talked through, I think it could benefit future generations. It would also be good in this context because there could be resources provided from within the APIA community of APIA counselors or whatever next steps people would want to take.
I think this movie did a good job of illustrating that parents do the best job they can with what they have. Ben’s dad was harsh on him and as we saw later in the movie, Ben’s Lolo was harsh on his dad in the same way. The Lolo discouraged Ben’s dad from pursuing art and was never satisfied with what he did.
I want to have a party with my cousins or friends and watch this movie, make some Filipino food, and talk about culture and what it means to be involved in the Filipino community and what it means to live in America.
Writing Worshop
This week’s writing workshop was really fun! I liked the focus on honesty, kindness, and collaboration. I was so impressed with the two papers I got to read. They were so fun and informative, I feel like I got to know the writers and learn about APIA cultures at the same time. I would definitely recommend reading Eliza and Tyler’s first draft and I am so excited to get to read where they go next!
I got really encouraging feedback from Tyler and Eliza. One, they told me I was a strong writer.. I want to hold onto this because I think that I have a self conscious writing identity. They also complemented my descriptions which I want to expand on. I went into this workshop kind of nervous but came out with new ideas and confidence of where I want to take my project next.
Dark Blue Suit by Peter Bacho
This short story cycle creates so many connections within the book as well as to the past and even pointing to the future. Also, the was Peter Bacho writes is so beautiful and powerful. I am inspired to grow my writing skills, especially with an example of what writing can accomplish.
I found this book really powerful as it took place in Seattle and the west coast. To hear about people who walked the same streets as I have and to have the ability to find the same landmarks in this book is special.
This book is the first one so far that has talked in depth about Indigenous and Black populations and the interactions between those groups and APIA groups. I am wondering about people who were/are Indigenous and Filipino and what their experience has been. Also, the theme and intricate complications that come with race and sex keep coming up in this program.
The Great Pinoy Boxing Era (1994)
It was cool to learn about the people in the boxing scene and then also hear about then in Peter Bacho’s book. The important thing that I got to grasp this week is the importance of the boxing ring as a place where Filipino’s and other races had a sense of equality. Inside the ring, peoples race, and socioeconomic status (definitely not gender though, because there was not cross gender or even a women’s boxing scene that I am aware of) fell away and it was just man to man fighting. In this arena, Filipino boxers excelled because they were starting from a fair place. This also gave space for Pinoy’s and Filipio/a’s to have pride in being Filipino.
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Books that people in the class have talked about that I don’t want to forget so I can read them in the future are:
Queering Contemporary Asian American Art edited by Laura Kina and Jan Christian Bernabe
The Latinos of Asia: How Filipinos Break the Rules of Race by Anthony Christian Ocampo
Brown Skin, White Minds: Filipino/American Postcolonial Psychology by E.J.R. David
History of the Philippines by Luis H. Francia