THREAD: There were generations of Filipino immigrants who upon arrival in the U.S. tried to systematically wipe out their Filipino identity, and fully “assimilate”. Colonial mentality in the belly of the beast.
They banned Tagalog and other Filipino languages from being spoken in their households. They spared no effort to impart PH history and identity to their children. What they kept was their regional identities as “luckier”, “more hardworking” and “more successful” clan members.
Of course, the kids would ultimately notice they’re different from other races. They’re not white, not black, not Latino, not Chinese, not Vietnamese, not Indian. They find no answers at home.
Thus, there’s a continuing search for identity among younger Fil-Ams. Many join activist progressive organizations in the US bec. 1) they go beyond traditional notions of Filipino-ness (food, region); 2) they teach about PH society and history; 3) they keep close links to PH
But the reach of activists remain quite limited compared to what FilAms need. So they go to on their own, check out what Americans have written about PH and Filipinos, what other races have done, etc. Most probably, this is where the idea of “Filipinx” originated.
Because “Filipinx” as gender-neutral can only come from those misinformed/uninformed about Tagalog and other Philippine languages.
In fairness to FilAms, they have not embraced the term. Because it is simply wrong and baseless in our own languages.
In fairness to FilAms, they have not embraced the term. Because it is simply wrong and baseless in our own languages.
I agree that we should reject “Filipinx” but we must be patient in explaining why, and reach out to the many FilAms craving for a sense of identity and yearning for a connection with us here in PH. I think the casual use of the term comes with no malice intended.
There is no domestic, Philippine use of this term “Filipinx” because obviously Filipino as a term (for our nationality and national language) is as gender-neutral as “siya”, “ako”, “kami”, “tayo”, “sila” and other essentials in our national language.
Of all races in the US, FilAms are underrepresented in the US government which is odd because FilAm population is huge. There are also states that have Tagalog or Ilocano as official languages.
But there’s seems no sense of a Filipino national identity in the US.
But there’s seems no sense of a Filipino national identity in the US.
I agree that how Filipino-ness is defined in the US and other places abroad should be contested.
In the Philippines, we have a phrase “tubong (insert town)” which refers to our family roots. I think fellow Filipinos abroad still use this to find/share roots and connections.
In the Philippines, we have a phrase “tubong (insert town)” which refers to our family roots. I think fellow Filipinos abroad still use this to find/share roots and connections.
We must also not forget that our country’s name was itself imposed by a colonizer. The anti-colonial revolution was egalitarian, and the initial new national name was gender-neutral “Katagalugan”.
There are also differences in the Filipino diaspora, depending on the country. There are parts that are more pro-Filipino than others. Many differences too within each country, and based on income/age/gender. It’s a fascinating area of study.
How Filipinos call themselves or are “labeled” by others could ultimately be based on our sense of national identity that is evolving amid our national struggle against imperialism, feudalism, fascism and corruption.
