Michelle Wang-Betrayal, Class Fantasies, and the Filipino Nation in Daly City Blog

Vergara’s work, “Betrayal, Class Fantasies, and Filipino Nation in Daly City,” was informative and I learned more about the Filipinx experience. Moreover, I was able to examine and learn more about diversity, immigration experience, social classes in the Filipinx community. It is important to note that Filipinx historical narratives and experiences are hidden and at times not even not recognized by society. I am still learning about the Filipinx community as I have not been given many opportunities to read articles about the Filipinx experience outside cultural studies classes nor this identity group covered in media or academia. Vergara provides more content on the Filipinx immigration experience in Daly City as the identity group “represents a certain class ideal that is both product and component of Filipino middle class imagining” (141). Furthermore, Vergara discusses the Filipinx in Daly City referred to “those.. leaving the Philippines is tantamount to a betrayal of sorts” (143). This is significant as the Filipinx middle class in Daly City challenges the model myth minority and that Filipinx lack privileges and are the working class. We can see the Filipinx community is diverse and those who left the Philippines came to Daly City disregarded traditions, roots, and assimilated to American culture. The Filipinx immigrants in Daly City do not reflect the values of Filipinx culture nor the community. Communities can experience culture shock and this can affect how they view the Filipinx community and the notion of social status can cause a lack of unity among the Filipinx community. The Filipinx in Daly City and viewed as betrayals to Filipinx culture and seen as valuing their personal interests. There is a struggle within social identity groups due to class differences and immigration status. We usually perceive that individuals immigrate to the United States in order to seek opportunities and not necessarily intending to harm one’s roots.

Question: How can there be more solidarity within the Filipinx community and the connection between Filipinx diasporas with the Philippines?