On my show earlier tonight, I tried to parody this Desperate Housewives situation. I described a situation similar to what happened in the DH show and then I tried to parody the "leave britney alone" video. I don't think this attempt of levity went over very well (if you have to explain the joke, then it's probably not that funny) However, I have to say (as I mentioned on my show tonight), that there are just a lot of angry people out there.
I have received more than a few e-mails who have told me that since I was born in the US and did my medical training in the US, that I really have no idea and that I really don't understand how offensive that remark was on the show. If I was "really in touch with my roots," I would understand better.
So, let me get this straight. Since I do not agree with your point of view, it's ok for you to make a personal attack on me for being "not Filipino enough" for you - That I have been "Americanized" too much and have lost touch with my true heritage.
Gimme a break! I have listened to the other side of this DH issue. I feel that I do understand it. But, I respectfully disagree with it. Attacking me is not going to make me change my mind. I remember reading a Time magazine article called Is Obama Black Enough?
That's what made me come up with the title for this post. Now, don't get me wrong. In no way am I comparing this situation to the senator from Illinois. I guess it comes down to this: You're not going to make everyone happy, so don't even try. So, instead of personal attacks, let's just agree to disagree, shall we?
15 comments:
Hi Dr A,
I listened to your show tonight although it did not start up on my computer until about 2 or 3 minutes into the show. Nurse Ratched was a very good interview subject and she came over very well.
I had no problem with the sound although Dr Rob and others seemed to have a problem with it.
I want to say that I do consider the remark on DH was objectionable to my way of thinking. If she had said is your degree from Australia I would have found it offensive. Because I considered it making a statement about the quality of the credentials obtained and finding them inferior if they were Filipino or Australian or whatever nationality they might have chosen. However I am sorry that you found people were offensive to you because of your opinion on this matter.
regards
jmb
Yup, some of the bloggers here in the Philippines are already personally attacking those who have not been offended by the DH issue. It has been become "either you're one of us or against us". I'm definitely seeing a pattern emerging these past few months, with all the controversies that have gone by. I would agree that each of us have different opinions. I think what spells the difference is how you will handle the opposing views.
Hey. Some people are just "professionally offended." I can understand that people would be sensitive about slurs, but this is a dumb TV show. It is simply a fictional person saying stuff that is in character for that person. There is plenty On DH that I am personally offended by, but this would not be one of them. It is quite ironic that in a show where sexual behavior is out in the open, people would be offended by this. Amazingly ironic.
dr. A: i am one for respecting everybody's opinion. as i said, i was personally offended by it, but thought the seeking of public apology was pointless.
i do understand that you were not offended, and i don't find anything wrong with it.
there are issues that each of us are sensitive about, and as every person is unique, i totally get it why everyone does not react in the same way.i think those who are attacking you for not being offended have way too much time in their hands.
to rob:
Just imagine that there are those who'd actually mob those blogs that say they're not offended by the DH episode. And being sensitive about being called oversensitive says it all. Very sad.
Hi Dr A! Most interesting! Just curious...is this freedom of speech ay? Hoho..the Philippines should boycott all things American then huh? As a matter of fact the Philippines are the most pro-americans in this region! Why be triggered by such dumb shows? By the way, some americans are just bigots! Thanks for the 'dig'!!!
I'm boycotting this thread.
Wait a second, I just posted to it... Dang!
I have to admit, I can see how the remark is offensive. I can also see how one wouldn't be offended by it. (*shrug*) Obviously the person uttering that remark has no idea of Filipino medical schools, so why be offended? On the other hand, how offensive that the first thing that comes to someone's mind when positing low-quality medical schools is "Filipino."
I agree with 'may' that whether or what one is offended by is personal. Many Americans have two "halves." I grew up, for instance, in rural conservative America and live in liberal urban America now. As a result, very little offends me.
in the first place, the writer was not informed on how a physician is able to practice in the USA. First, the foreign educated docs need to pass their countries' board exam. Then they go to their countries' residency program, Then apply to the US to get to matching program, then if accepted, would have to pass the FMG's exam. Then these docs will go to internship and 3-4 years of residency AGAIN. Then will take the US grueling board exams.
It's not about Diploma, you can have as many diplomas as you want, but if you are not SMART enough to go thorugh above....you're not practicing in the US
I agree...this has been blown way out of proportion. Filipino doctors are NOT the problem. Everybody knows that the real problem is the mean Filipino nurses who took special classes in the Philippines to make injections as painful as possible.
:P
Have you ever noticed that minorities are often very racist against their own when their own don't agree with a group think? At the same time they complain about being stereotyped, which is hypocritical. You have to think sterotypically but you are offended by stereotypical declarations. A minority cannot have their own opionion without being accused of being a sort-of-uncle tom by their own, but hell breaks loose when others make derogatory statements about medical schools in the philipines. So it is okay for people to make positive stereotypes and not bad ones. Lastly, the saying is common in this country, "...a foreign medical degree", in essence. If all of the countries people celebrate were so great, why do so many people move to America? You cannot win for losing, especially if you belong to a minority group, stuck in cultural bull and group think.
"You're not going to make everyone happy, so don't even try."
Wise words.
That's how you have to think of situations like this because otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy trying to please too many people.
Yup, I agree...you can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people any time! Don't stress about it Dr A.
How about this....the character on the tv show uttering the slur is an ignorant bigot. My neighbor is a Christian, a born-again Christian, and she tells me she really is tired of all the ignorant bias (on tv against Americans who are born-again Christians. I'd never thought about that before, now I do. So, it's okay if some people are publicly irritated about the dumb ignorant bigot on tv slurring Filipinos because now, I've noticed that it happens and I'll...what? Remind such bigots -- in my presence -- that they're unthinking ignorant bigots? That is what I will do.
i think that even mentioning the race of someone, or referring to someone as black or white or brown or mexican.........i feel all this is stupid, ignorant...why refer to anyone as anything but what they are, a person.........a person............a person
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