Michelle Malkin » “Desperate Housewives” insults Filipinos

“Desperate Housewives” insults Filipinos

By Michelle Malkin • October 3, 2007 12:53 AM

Update 10/4: An apology.

Update: Oh, criminey. The government of the Philippines is getting involved. Like they don’t have better things to worry about.

***

I am getting a lot of e-mail from people I’ve never heard from before about an apparent ethnic joke about Filipino medical professionals on the shlocky ABC show, “Desperate Houswives.” There’s even a petition about it:

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 know 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.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Filipino blog round-up here.

There are a couple of interesting things about this story.

One: It raises the question of the Aggrieve-o-Meter. Some ethnic and racial groups are higher rated than others. It’s apparently politically correct in Hollyweird to deride the credientials of all Filipino doctors. But not other groups.

Unfair? Yes. Rotten double standards? Yes.

But instead of assimilating into the victim culture, it might be more effective for Filipinos to take a pass on the Jesse Jackson playbook and respond in a novel way.

Say, with humor:

Filipino doctors and nurses could stage a mock “Day Without a Filipino Medical School Graduate.”

Or charge patients who watch “Desperate Housewives” extra.

Or hound Eva Longoria at public appearances, picketing in their hospital gowns, shouting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Desperate Housewives have got to go” while running a booth administering free anti-Hollywood vaccine shots.

Or do a Jericho-style protest and inundate the producers with copies of your med school diplomas, awards, and commendations.

Two: Can you imagine the uproar if the Desperate Housewives ever dared to make derogatory comments about illegal aliens? Imagine if they incorporated a criminal illegal alien into the plot line. Imagine the demands from MALDEF and LULAC for sensitivity training and open-borders rehab. Imagine.

Three: I find some of the e-mail I’m getting to be laced with hypocritical ethnic entitlement. Some Filipinos have seen fit to dismiss my ethnic heritage entirely and consider me “white” because of my politics and past criticism of the Philippines’ reckless decision to pay ransom for hostages taken by jihadis.

Now, after a stupid TV show insults Filipinos, they expect me to jump on the protest bandwagon with them automatically in ethnic solidarity.

Question: Where were you when far worse Filipino insults were being leveled? Just wondering.

Four: The character that uttered the insult is played by Teri Hatcher. Seems to me she must have had a bad experience with one or a few incompetent doctors and is taking it out on an entire class. I mean, just look:

Take that up with your plastic surgeon, lady. No need to attack every last Filipino medical professional. Sheesh.

Five: Last point about double standards. Imagine one of the shrewish housewives making a crack on the show about the competence and security risk of Muslim doctors.

Just. Imagine.

***

Update: Pinoymoneytalk has the YouTube clip…

Pinoymoneytalk points out that Filipinos themselves make fun of shady schools and tells his countryment to lighten up:

Had the line been mentioned matter-of-factly in a news or documentary program, our protest would have been valid. But lest we forget, Desperate Housewives is a dramedy — a drama AND a comedy. Everything said there should not be taken seriously. For one, Susan Mayer was definitely in character — insensitive, arrogant, and stupid — when she delivered the line…

…It’s time we quit having double standards. It’s also time we improve the quality of education in our schools. But please, mob, it’s not time to call for another boycott.

Hear, hear.

Bryan Preston weighs in:

Now, I’m sure it’s easy to find some fault with what I’m about to say, but aren’t professionally trained people who supply skills that we’re currently short of, and who will respect our immigration laws and processes, exactly the sort of immigrants that all Americans (other than lame Hollywood comedy writers) would welcome with open arms? I would think so. So why insult them with a cheap shot? Because the DH writers were lazy and figured Jesse and Al would give it a pass.

***

While we’re on the subject of celebrity insults, what a bunch of undignified buffoon-ettes “The View” women are. Joking about “doing” Nancy Pelosi’s husband and the House Speaker herself. What an abject embarrassment to the entertainment business, to journalism (Barbara, I’m talking to you), and to their gender. Good grief. For once, I felt very, very sorry for Nancy Pelosi:

Posted in: Hollyweird, Political Correctness

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#138946

On October 3rd, 2007 at 3:56 pm, AlohaGuy said:

Michelle, you have trademarked Filipina Rage Girl haven’t you?
#138949

On October 3rd, 2007 at 4:00 pm, Evenstar said:

Ok, some people have way too much time on their hands to get “offended” by susan mayer. seriously.

the joke wasn’t even about people of philipino backgrouds, it was about shady foreign medical schools, or fake degrees that would cite some made up foreign med school.

i think that if this is the grand thing we have to be offended about, we are darn lucky.
#138968

On October 3rd, 2007 at 4:21 pm, josetheguerilla said:

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. (Petition above)

I am at college sitting in Microbiology class. As I look around the class, I can’t help to notice, that I’m the only Hispanic in here. However, I’m not the only brown person in here. Over HALF this class is Filipino. I will see this phenomenon for the rest of the week, as I sit in Math, Chemistry, and Medical classes. I will also see them on my clinical. I’m in awe of them. I respect them, for their work ethic, study habits, attention to detail, and unstoppable drive for higher education. Most are straight out of the Philippines. Some have full time jobs, and go to school full time. Some have two jobs, and are kicking butt in the nursing program. Amazing. My bottom line on this: If the illegal aliens didn’t show up for work for a month, issuance rates would drop, and we would have a lettuce shortage. If the Filipinos didn’t show up for work, thousands of people would die, and Allah would probably still have his impacted wisdom teeth.

Though I think a Filipina Rage Girl parody might be fun…MM

Yes, I would like to see Vent: Filipina rage girl. I have Vent: Michelle jumps for Global warming on my cell phone right now. I can only watch it so many times!!!!!!!!!

Now, where’s that cell phone?
#139019

On October 3rd, 2007 at 5:11 pm, Regulus said:

Yes, I would like to see Vent: Filipina rage girl.

Ask, and ye shall receive (scroll down a bit for the video).
#139046

On October 3rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm, blacktygrrrr said:

Another thing that has to be looked at is intent. Did Desperate Housewives have a political agenda against the people of the Phillippines? No. Does it have any political agenda? No.

Desperate Housewives is about hot women frolicking around in their undies. Whether or not that is good or bad for society (me likey), the show itself is hardly a pillar of ideological controversy.

However, one character who is “uptight” and “proper” is a republican, and in one scene when told she was being uptight about something sexual, the character said, “You are such a republican.” It was meant as a good natured tease.

The show is harmless, except for the anti-undie frolicking crowd.

http://blacktygrrrr.wordpress.com/2007/05/22/eva-longoria-and-other-reasons-i-am-not-a-social-conservative/

Respectfully,

eric
#139050

On October 3rd, 2007 at 5:30 pm, bear1909 said:

Image: Bear1909 taking aim at cRusty (#47) with a trusty Sock Puppet Bazooka….TOOOMPH!!!!! Score!
#139056

On October 3rd, 2007 at 5:34 pm, feebiebabe said:

bear1909: RE: cRusters #47.

excessive consumption of cheap beer = verbal diarrhea.

btw/ LMAO at the sock puppet idear…
#139064

On October 3rd, 2007 at 5:41 pm, 24Klady said:

It seems that comedy in today’s world is centered around direct, insulting, remarks towards individuals. Not a thing, situation, or incident – but people. Which if you think about it is the trademark of a bully. I’ve not watched DH because I’d like to think the world can do without women with IQ’s of room temperature. Same for The View. Same goes for the “news” and their quest to immediately cast blame, establish guilt, and get the first pictures of “person’s of interest.” Nevermind charges haven’t been filed.

Yes, I do think the white male baffoon role has been done to the point of nausea. The only safe commercial is the Geico ghecko. Love him.
#139069

On October 3rd, 2007 at 5:44 pm, bear1909 said:

Feebz: i feel ya I’ll spike the next round with some Immodium to take the edge off.
#139079

On October 3rd, 2007 at 5:58 pm, dakine said:

Uh, some of you guys need to lighten way the hell up. It’s a dumb TV show intended to provide brainless entertainment after a long day in the salt mines for crying out loud! Again, they were making fun of doctors who obtain their degrees from foreign law schools in the developing world. They could’ve chosen any number of other countries, including several in the Caribbean or Central America. The joke had nothing to do with the PI or its people.

Paul, I really have nowhere to go from there. Your assertion is that liberals are more apt to cheat on their spouses because they are more concerned with things far away from them. I’ve not noticed that in my own experience, but I guess is some social scientist did an empirical study that corroborated your hypothesis, then I’d be open to the notion. BTW, how do you know your list is accurate? Bet folks could come up with an equally long list of conservatives who cheated on their spouses as well. It means nothing IMHO, but interestingly, three of the Republican presidential candidates (Guiliani, Thompson and McCain) have been married multiple times.
#139151

On October 3rd, 2007 at 8:58 pm, Evenstar said:

seriously. lighten the hell up.
#139161

On October 3rd, 2007 at 9:26 pm, 24Klady said:

dakine #103 – I have a liberal friend that says he’ll vote for anyone that is a liar, cheat, or thief. Yeperoonies, he voted for WJC twice. He claims that when a person of that calibre is in office, times are good and the economy is better than good. Plus, the world loves us! If that holds true, any of the top conservatives running are a perfect match. Shhhhh, don’t tell Shrillery, could throw her whole strategy off.
#139193

On October 3rd, 2007 at 11:21 pm, maurelius said:

Diyos ko naman!

Kaunti lang ang problema ito!

My God!

This is a small problem.

The idea behind many shows is to try to portray life. I think such commentary is ignorant, but that is what a lot of us are about a number of things. The statement also is a thoughtless one. Both characteristics it seems are well within character.

Pretty soon the only characters on TV will be Stepford types.

O sige, mag-ingat kayong lahat!
#139203

On October 3rd, 2007 at 11:50 pm, maurelius said:

I have dibs on Rage Pinoy! Now I have to find & photograph him!
#139394

On October 4th, 2007 at 10:10 am, terrig said:

Well I knew there was a reason why I didn’t watch this tripe.