02 Oct, 2007
Anti-Filipino Slur on Desperate Housewives?
Posted by: AJ In: Artistita| Televisoine ()
Many Filipinos were offended by what seemed like a racial slur uttered by Teri Hatcher’s Desperate Housewives character, Susan Mayer when she went to see a gynecologist. In that particular scene, Susan objected to being checked by the OB-GYN and stated that she “wanted to make sure that those diplomas are not from some med school in the Philippines.”
Whoa! The line connotes negativity and distrust on medical schools here in the Philippines. Is it racial? Is it directed against Filipinos in general? Or is it directed at the medical educational system in the country? Should we react violently right away and call for boycotts of the show?
The slur can obviously be very offensive and the writers obviously may not have done their homework by researching on the quality of education that our medical educational institutions have. Perhaps it was an error in judgment on the writer’s part for directly relating the numbers of Filipino medical practitioners in the United States to the quality of education offered by Philippine medical institutions?
If you’ve been following the show since its first season, you would know that remarks like these are not uncommon in Wisteria Lane. Some get offended, some don’t. It’s actually just another case of different strokes for different folks. However, if you’re not a fan of the show or do not know its nature, then it is possible that you would take offense in the slur. It may be, after all, a biased and baseless statement and really offensive, specially for our Filipino medical practitioners here and abroad.
For us here at Bakla Ako Dot Com, we don’t think that this is something that should become another cause of BOYCOTTS or clamors for banning the show here. What will that do to us? Will it make the show’s writers learn their lesson? Hell no.Â
( Watch the video here: MindyTV.)
Over at the Desperate Housewives message boards, there is an ongoing exchange of comments and opinions whether the line was anti-racial and whether it’s something that we should all be flippant about it. (Thread 1, Thread 2)
Here are some interesting and contradicting views about the episode (taken from the message boards):
From filipinoIMG
I was shocked and deeply insulted when I heard about that comment from my friends. Thinking ” Is this how the whole USA thinks of us’? It was just a hurtful comment, plain and simple , made by an ignorant writer for the sake of a story line. That was still totally uncalled for, and that certainly does not make it right.
I dont think it should negate the fact that it was a racist comment since they basically insulted the whole country and not just a profession . I guess the “I have a dream” comment by one great person is still that…. still a dream at this day and age.
One good thing about this country is that you can choose NOT TO WATCH. but again that doesnt negate the fact that there are impressionable minds who may get swayed into thinking that it is acceptable to think of one country as being inferior to another
and that… is the beginning definition of racism. I wonder if most people think this is “allright” . That it really is “just a show”
This country has given me the opportunity to make sure that my family is well cared for. I am just shocked to think that after all i have accomplished , green card, citizenship the title of doctor , healer, teacher and all. I am still thought of as a second class citizen.
I think what shocks me more is to know that some people think this is actually acceptable
I still think this country is great, I just think it can be greater still if people patronized shows like this less.
From wifeforlife:
It is too bad that a line in a dramedy has been taken so far out of context. Everyone is entitled to their feelings and opinions, but really where is the line drawn?
Every time we turn around someone is offended by something that was said, or shown, or depicted. If the entertainment and television industry listened to every persons issues about anything and everything, honestly there would probably not be any shows to watch at all.
I challenge everyone on this board to please name one American broadcasted show…..that had absolutely not one offensive scene or line. If I had a million dollars I would bet it that you can’t. I guarantee you someone, somewhere was offended by something on it.
Should you let this one pass, like you did for other remarks directed at other races? Or should you boycott the show and go on a rampage about it?
Should you decide on the latter, I suggest you write to the producers of the show. The address is:
Desperate Housewives
Touchstone Television
100 Universal City Plaza
Bldg. 2128, Suite G
Universal City, CA 91608
Or you can fill-out their Contact form here.
It’s really up to you. Different strokes for different folks.
Other posts and reactions about this “desperation”:
MindyTVÂ - Second Class Citizens
Anti-Filipino Slur on Desperate Housewives?
Desperate Housewives Episode on Philippine Med School Graduate
Desperate Housewives’ Rather Insulting Remark about Medical Schools in the Philippines
Desperate Housewives racial slur against Filipino medical practicioners?
Who’s Desperate?
Filipino Americans demand for apology from ABC and Desperate Housewives Petition to ABC.
Kick That Desperate Housewives Out
Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives Insulst Filipinos
Desperate for Philippine Audience
Desperate Housewives Maligns Philippine Med Schools
Filams Protest US TV show - ABS-CBN News
Reacting and Over Reacting to DH Script…
Desperate Housewives on Philippine Med Schools
Bloghopping
My Take On This Desperate Housewives Shenanigans
Another Perspective on the Latest Racial Slur Issue
Of Racists and Slurs
Pathetic Desperation on a Menopausal Housewife
A Call to Boycott…No Thanks!
