Where I came from, I grew up scared of "people of color" simply because of their bad image created by Hollywood movies, the media, and books from the West that portrayed them as hoodlums, goons, criminals, uneducated, addicts, savages, scalp-hungry nomads, etc. When you are fed the wrong information, you live with stereotypes that immediately create a gap between you and "others" who are considered "different" and "low class" by a majority society. It was only when I came over to the United States that I realized all that was a lie. I got my re-education here, and learned I am actually a member of that group called "people of color," and through the years have shared many of their pains due to stereotypes that never went away.
I am thankful for the people -- of diverse colors and backgrounds -- who have touched my life, and continue to do so, in a meaningful way. Thank you for re-educating me. A cross-cultural exposure is indeed the best way to know others.
While we're on this topic, I am reminded of a recent episode in "Desperate Housewives" which created a furor in the Filipino communities all over the world. Terri Hatcher was in a doctor's office complaining about some illness. Hatcher's dialogue ran something like, "Can I check those diplomas because I want to make sure they are not from some medical schools in the Philippines!" What? The producers, scriptwriters, and actors of this desperate show obviously didn't know that Filipino doctors are held in high esteem anywhere in the world because of their competence, ability to manage diseases appropriately, and their warm connectedness with their patients. Medical doctors who graduated from the Philippines have been in high demand because of such qualities. A number of them have even become professors in Ivy League medical schools in the United States. Filipino doctors are not "desperate" at all; and they are very caring medical practitioners, regardless of their patients' position in society.
It must be noted that none of them can practice their profession without passing the U.S. medical licensure exams, even after they had passed the Philippine medical board exams which are considered some of the toughest in the world. It must also be said that Philippine medical schools are not diploma mills. They are one of the best in Asia. Our medical graduates have excellent education, training, and dedication to the Hippocratic oath. The least this country can do is to thank them for saving the lives of thousands of Americans because they staff thousands of U.S. hospitals. The U.S. does not produce enough American doctors (and other medical professionals) to take care of its citizens.
By the way, to many desperate Wisconsin residents who are uninsured or underinsured, the Filipino American community offers competent and caring medical services at the Philippine Center?s FREE Medical Clinic 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month in Milwaukee. In this issue, Asian Wisconzine is featuring Dr. Violeta Singson, medical director of this Free Clinic. Part 2 of this article will pay tribute to the volunteer doctors and others working with her, as well as the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation that initiated this benevolent program for the poor in Wisconsin. I am proud of and grateful to them.
"Desperate Housewives" creators and actors must be re-educated themselves. |
