Thesis: The discrimination the Filipino people faced in California.
They think every Filipino is a pimp,' he said. "But there are more
pimps among them than among all the Filipinos in the world put together.
I will kill one of these bastards someday!' They questioned Doro
curtly, peered into the car, and told us to go on. I came to know
afterward that in many ways it was a crime to be a Filipino in
California (Hicks, 606). This shows the racism that is going on in California.
It was the end of the flower season, so the Filipino workers were all in town. They stood on the sidewalks and in front of Japanese stores showing their fat rolls of money to the girls. Gambling was going on in one of the old buildings, in Mexican district, and in a cafe across the street Mexican girls and Filipinos were dancing. I went inside the cafe and sat near the counter, watching the plump girls dancing drunkenly (Hicks, 607). This is interesting. First of all, it seems like fall has begun since the flower season has ended and these Filipinos were farmers. Also, I noticed the Mexican girls were described as plump. I wonder why the author described them as fat. I wonder if there were a lot of Mexican fat girls during that time or if they were just curvy. I also noticed that the Mexicans and Filipinos got along very well. I have heard a lot of Filipinos say Mexicans and Filipinos are the same.
I opened the door quietly and entered. I heard him talking to a man in one of the rooms upstairs. When I reached the landing a hard blow fell on my head. I rolled on the floor. Then I saw him with a gun in his hand, poised to strike at my head again. Standing behind him was my brother Amado, holding a long -bladed knife (Hicks, 607). Carlos reunites with his brother Amado, here.
'You should have written to me,' he said. 'You shouldn't have come to America (Hicks, 608). America has not been what Carlos's brother hoped it would be. He seems very disappointed.
'Life is tough, Carlos,' said my brother. 'I had a good job for some time, but the depression came. I had to do something. I had to live, Carlos!' (Hicks, 609). Seem like Carlo's brother was into making dirty money. I am thinking he was either a pimp or drug dealer, or both.
'Please, God, don't change me in America!' I said to myself, looking the other way so that I wouldn't cry (Hicks, 610). Carlos realizes that his brother has changed to a bad person.
I enjoyed reading this story, it was easy to understand and did not bore me.
Hicks, Jack, et al. “America Is in the Great.” The Literature of California, vol. 1, University of
California Press, 2000, pp. 604–610.
Hello again Laura, While reading this story also noticed the discrimination towards Filipinos was being discussed and I think the author does a good job in telling a story with the cultural and historical background being it. You also did a good job with picking out different quotes that do so and then summarizing them in a view words.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteThe discrimination against the Filipinos is quite obvious. I think that might be one of the reasons why the Mexicans and Filipinos got along so well, they were both discriminated against. The fact that many Filipinos have Spanish surnames like Mexicans,the Philippines being under Spanish rule from the 14th century until 1898,much like Mexico was under Spanish rule too for a long period of time may have contributed to this kinship.
Hello, when I first started reading this I can tell that the discrimination against the filipinos was a really big thing. Also I too noticed the the author describe the girls as plump. To be honest I'm actually a bit curious myself to find out. Overall this was a very clear analysis to read. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI have not yet been able to read this piece so I enjoyed seeing all the quotes you use. The analysis you provided was succinct and was immediately following a quote that backed your analysis. The quotes clearly paint a picture. I agree with Anthony's analysis also in providing context for some of the quotes within the writing.
ReplyDelete