In both of Ibarra’s works, the Ching Chong Asian and Who am
I, it showed one of the biggest problems for Filipinos, the colonial
mentality. Colonial mentality is a way of
thinking that the colonizers are better than us, Filipinos. Colonizers are
people who conquered other groups, in the case of Filipinos, it is the
Spaniards and Americans. Like what Ibarra mentioned on her work, Ching Chong
Asian, “when I was
thirteen and I couldn't accept why didn’t look more like my white friends”. We look up to the colonizers as "idols" and copy them. Those who don’t fit with the criteria of having the looks and values of an American are looked down upon. Beautiful is defined by how you look and act. If you speak English very well, then you are well educated. If you have white skin and a nose like them, then you are better than anyone. On the contrary, having the Filipino characteristics means there is less possibility of you achieving your dream. You may even experience discrimination in your own country. Individuals who are closer to the colonizers’ ways (education, language and religion) are viewed as more superior and valued than others (Nadal, 2012). Colonial mentality is an important topic not only for Filipino-Americans, but also for the Filipinos in the Philippines.
It is important because we became used to this kind of thinking without the knowledge that this isn’t right. We become more prone to identity crisis so that we even come to the point that sometimes, we try to deny our own race and we lose our ethnic attachment. We need to know what the colonial mentality is in order to decolonize.
thirteen and I couldn't accept why didn’t look more like my white friends”. We look up to the colonizers as "idols" and copy them. Those who don’t fit with the criteria of having the looks and values of an American are looked down upon. Beautiful is defined by how you look and act. If you speak English very well, then you are well educated. If you have white skin and a nose like them, then you are better than anyone. On the contrary, having the Filipino characteristics means there is less possibility of you achieving your dream. You may even experience discrimination in your own country. Individuals who are closer to the colonizers’ ways (education, language and religion) are viewed as more superior and valued than others (Nadal, 2012). Colonial mentality is an important topic not only for Filipino-Americans, but also for the Filipinos in the Philippines.
It is important because we became used to this kind of thinking without the knowledge that this isn’t right. We become more prone to identity crisis so that we even come to the point that sometimes, we try to deny our own race and we lose our ethnic attachment. We need to know what the colonial mentality is in order to decolonize.
hi can you help me arbout MOWUFO 2016 i like your writing we can open the filipino
mind through music about colonial mentality help me in this competition the theme is
Sure. Maybe I can help you with that, but I'm not that good of a writer XD