Filipino Americans demand for apology from ABC and Desperate Housewives
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To the producers of "Desperate Housewives" and ABC:
We are writing to express concern and hurt about a racially-discriminatory comment made in an episode of Desperate Housewives on 9/30/07. In a scene in which Susan was told by her gynecologist that she might be hitting menopause, she replied, "Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines."
As members and allies of the Filipino American community, we are writing to inform you that this type of derogatory remark was discriminatory and hurtful, and such a comment was not necessary to maintain any humor in the show. Additionally, a statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members.
As Filipino Americans and allies, we band together to ensure that this type of hateful message should not be allowed to continue on our television and radio airwaves. Given the recent amounts of media attention that has been given to Michael Richards (against African Americans), Isaiah Washington (against gays), and Rosie O'Donnell (against Asian/ Chinese Americans), it is ridiculous that this type of hateful speech made it through various screenwriters, the show's producers, the show's actors, and ABC itself.
We demand a public apology to the Filipino American community, and we demand the episode be edited to remove the ignorant and racist remark. We will not allow hateful messages against our community (or any other oppressed community) to continue.
We are writing to express concern and hurt about a racially-discriminatory comment made in an episode of Desperate Housewives on 9/30/07. In a scene in which Susan was told by her gynecologist that she might be hitting menopause, she replied, "Can I just check those diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from some med school in the Philippines."
As members and allies of the Filipino American community, we are writing to inform you that this type of derogatory remark was discriminatory and hurtful, and such a comment was not necessary to maintain any humor in the show. Additionally, a statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. In fact, the Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its Filipino and Filipino American staff members.
As Filipino Americans and allies, we band together to ensure that this type of hateful message should not be allowed to continue on our television and radio airwaves. Given the recent amounts of media attention that has been given to Michael Richards (against African Americans), Isaiah Washington (against gays), and Rosie O'Donnell (against Asian/ Chinese Americans), it is ridiculous that this type of hateful speech made it through various screenwriters, the show's producers, the show's actors, and ABC itself.
We demand a public apology to the Filipino American community, and we demand the episode be edited to remove the ignorant and racist remark. We will not allow hateful messages against our community (or any other oppressed community) to continue.
123951 Signatures
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Joe Valdez T
- Comments
- This is absurd. Education standards in the Philippines are much higher than the sad education system in the U.S.
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Mark A
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- im never watching this show again.
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Leilani P
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- В
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BAYANI B. ELMA, M
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- Physicians from the Philippines have proven themselves to be as competent as the other medical practitioners across the whole United States without any reservations.
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Rosario S. A
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- Yes, I agree that it's just didn't came out right.
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Francine A
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Vincent T
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- It ruined my tv viewing! A stupid scriptwriter! i invite the scriptwriter to get exposed about the Philippines for better education.
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KD
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- Boycott forever!
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Christopher Bautista, D
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Edgar F
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- I definately agree on this issue. Such discriminatory language should not form part of television. At least not in shows where it is not expected.
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Olivia D
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Dorothy T
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MG
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Kathleen L
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- I am disappointed that a derogatory remark towards my country was made on your show. Our country has produced many intelligent and creative individuals and such a remark is hurtful and unfounded.
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Lori
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Jayson Las P
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Jellyn B
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Dominic M
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- yeah, i used to think the writer of the show (Marc Cherry) was cool cuz he went to my college.. but now i just think he's an old, ignorant, gay, republican.
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William B
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Meriam C
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Stephanie G
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ngoc n
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mimi
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Jonathan
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- Filipinos shouldn't be degraded or belittled in any way.
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robbie dela v
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jose d
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Ana Maria P
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- Derogatory public comments like this one is NOT acceptable. Filipino trained physicians are equally competent to US trained physicians.
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Raymund L
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- This is a very degrading and irresponsible portrayal of Filipinos. It reflects not only ignorance but arrogance of the producers. We demand apology from ABC!
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cristina d
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- filipinos are smarter than most of the idiots in this country
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Teresita Z
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siegh d
- Comments
- don't discriminate... we are human also...
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Robert R
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Kristina B. F
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Owen Martinez, M
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Jeremy S
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- DO NOT TOLERATE RACISM AGAINST YOUR PEOPLE!!!!
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Cristina R
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- I agree.I know of several Filipino doctors in the city, and they are phenomenal doctors.
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MELISSA
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Carlo V
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Raquel W
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Hannah M
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Leila L
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- That line is very culturally insensitive, rude and demeaning
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Jose F
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John H
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- Absolutely reprehensible.
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Cirvalina L
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- The Filipino nurses and doctors can't practice in the United States unless they pass the US licensing exam. Lighten up!
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Elaine C
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chris noel r
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- Off base and out of touch. As a writer, I find remarks like this shows how uninformed the creative talent is.
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Kristen B. V
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Ruthie San B
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Carol M
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- Not only are Filipino medical schools acceptable, but they are visited by those trying to improve community health for underserved populations from all over the world! Shame on you for even thinking to let it go by - without an apology, I'm sure that your sponsors will not be popular.
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Eric N
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123951
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