A PETITION

>>>>>>>FORWARDED MESSAGE:
Dear Kababayan and Allies:
I heard through the grapevine about a remark made on an episode of
"Desperate Housewives" last night. The scene entailed Teri Hatcher's
character (Susan) at a hospital, being told by her gynecologist that
she might be hitting menopause. Susan 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." If you go to abc.com, you watch the
full episode and witness the scene at about 18:50 minutes into the
episode.
This type of derogatory remark is not only unnecessary and
hurtful, but is also unfounded, considering the presence of Filipinos
and Filipino Americans in the health care industry. Filipinos are the
second largest immigrant population in the United States, with many
entering the U.S. and 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 disrespectful and plain and simply ignorant.
As Filipino Americans, we need to band together to ensure that
this type of hateful message is not 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. Yet, this isn't the
first time that negative remarks have been made about the Philippines
or Filipinos in the past. In recent years, we've heard one too many
"dogeater" comments by "comedian" Joan Rivers on the red carpet or in
her standup act, and I believe that it is about time that we stand up
for ourselves, so that this type of hateful speech never happens again.
Please join me in expressing your concern, disappointment, and/or
disgust to the producers of ABC.com. You can sign the petition at
http://www.petitiononline.com/FilABC/ or you can reach them directly
abc7@abc.com.
And please feel free to forward this widely to other
Filipinos/Filipino Americans/Asian Americans/and other allies.