jojo,

ur whole essay is an answer to your very question: Who isn't racist?

but you answered another question: what happens to a country where hatred/bigotry/racism is somewhat institutionalized. 

like you, i completely understand the filipino context of pagdanganan apparent "joke" (your word).   i read it in tagalog and it presented another meaning.  either way, it was obviously a metaphor he was using, but it doesnt take one to be a writer with a grasp of metaphors to understand that the size of one's eyes doesnt predetermine the degree of his nationalism. 

 maybe he was being "filipino" when he said that and didnt realize that many people in the audience face racism in this country every day, racism and its other friendly neighbors: sexism, homophobia, anti-semitism, etc. etc.    being "pinoy" and buying into "filipino mores"  does not make someone less responsible for statements he makes in public.  he might have thought that since it was a filipino event, it would be a "safe place" for him to make such rhetorical generalizations.  unfortunately, he was wrong, in fact, very wrong.

 jojo, you brought up many good points on the institutionalization of racism.  which brings me to ask you:  shouldnt you be afraid of the little fires people light to create these institutions?

big things begin small.   his little "joke" is very dangerous.   that he is a public official makes it irresponsible, disrespectful and downright abuse of his power (your taxes, may i remind you, paid for that speech). 

he might be impassioned and well-intentioned for his "joke".   he might just be being "filiipino."

but jojo, NOT in this country.   NOT in the neighborhood of progressive literary figures. NOT amongs people who fight racism every day.

we dont need him and his anti-chinese propaganda here.  we have enough of our own to deal with.  the recent election is the clearest indicator of the culture wars in the u.s.   the only difference is, these very americans who were afraid to speak up their minds now found a place to voice their opinion, in the ballot.   the message: if you were a gay man in this country, run for your life.

i know many filipinos over there think the way you do.   perhaps in the philippines, people can speak up their minds like that, because most people need their rallying cry. 

i think what we want, or what i want, is for this philippine official to understand why there is much hoopla over his "joke."   people in that audience didnt become more filipino (on this month of filipino pride!) when they heard him, they became a little more . . . chinese.

bino