Quiet, Indebted, Model Minority

I'm a brown immigrant in the United States of America. I am so grateful for the life I am able to have just by being here. I am in the process of getting my citizenship, which will require me to renounce my original Filipino citizenship. For most people in the Philippines, a US Citizenship is much coveted. I grew up my entire life dreaming of the day when I could finally come to the United States, I am not alone in this. Our whole lives as Filipinos has been this, "Do well in school so that you can one day leave this country and earn more money for your family." The Philippine Government has a very sophisticated system regarding sending out Filipino Laborers overseas that has become a model for many developing countries. My entire life statements like, "Oh I have an uncle who lives abroad." or "I got these from the States." are things to say if you want to impress your friends. 

I grew up learning about the African Slave Trade, and the Civil Rights Movement, and MLK Jr. I knew of the history of racism in America but also was taught that it was over. When I moved here at 19 years old, it did not take me very long to see the clear divide between the White people, and the People of Color. Growing up in Manila where the browns were majority, the White people definitely stuck out - for being beautiful, and assumed immediately to be rich. It did not take me very long to see the systematic racism and micro aggressions towards black and brown people. As a brown asian immigrant, I could see it clearly but because of my status that was all I could do. Observe, but don't talk about it because I am indebted to this broken system. Be in your best behavior, show them what a great immigrant example you are so that they can't say anything about you. 

"Blacks are always angry." 

"The Illegal Mexicans are stealing our jobs."

"The Middle Easterns are terrorists."

"The Asians are all smart and submissive, all immigrants should be just like them." 

If I'm being honest, there is a part of me that doesn't hate being called the "model minority" because I feel a sense of pride for getting the White Approval. But this narrative really only favors them and nobody else. Because white is the default, white is the majority, therefore we should live our lives pleasing them. Stay quiet because I want citizenship from the White Country and if I speak up about injustice, this might put my status in danger. I cannot anger them, because they have something I want and I should just be thankful. Don't speak up because you are only causing division when you point out what's wrong. I am lucky, I don't have to fear my life when I'm stopped by the police. The only thing I fear is the pressure to please and not anger the White Community. 

Pointing out unjust systems and unfair treatment of black and brown people is not wrong. Pointing out unjust systems and unfair treatment of black and brown people is standing up for what is right which is what I believed this country was about. A country that should stand for valuing the rights of its people, ALL of its people, not just the ones whose skin has less melanin. A country who boasts in democracy and how it has helped less fortunate countries. If it is a country that values liberty and justice for all, then we must be able to speak up and hold this country accountable for who it is claiming to be without fear. We all came here as immigrants to seek a better life, but if we keep being silent wouldn’t that be the same as staying in the countries we have left? Wouldn’t that be violating the individualistic values that America so proudly upholds? Do these values only apply to the White American? I constantly feel the tension in my gut that I should just be quiet, I should “respect the authority placed over me.” - If I wasn’t allowed to speak my mind, this would be a communist country. Not a free one. 

So I will speak up, I will use my voice and I refuse to be silenced. For the unjust treatment fo Black and Brown folks who were raised to hate the color of their skin just like I was. The ones who were raised to be in their best behavior so we don’t upset the White Folk. OF COURSE The blacks are angry, they have been killed and oppressed for centuries and STILL ARE TO THIS DAY. Enough is enough. Something needs to change. Let’s hold America accountable for being a nation under one God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.