CALIFORNIA DREAMING

A state of cultural diversity
Benito ‘Jong’ Molintas Jr.

The sky is so blue, the weather so hot while I see these neighbors crossing the streets almost topless, exposing different skin colors that speak of different cultures with different racial backgrounds. A state of cultural diversity, that is how California is called -- a melting pot of different races: Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Blacks, Mexicans, Caucasians among others.

In the East Coast, the Indian tribes, who were seen as second class citizens, looked down upon and received brutal treatment moved to the West Coast specifically California, where you can now see a high Indian population. These people are known to have a rich culture and considered by some historians as the original “owners” of the US. Land. Now, they are considered as high class citizens. They now have perks like not being subjected to police force, having the distinction of having “nations,” and given privileges to control casinos.

The Mexicans too were here earlier as immigrants. In the 18th century they were the ruling class of California. Over the years, the farmed for constituents of the State which they called “land of opportunity. ” Until now, there is a continuous influx of this race, to the level that some use force, fraudulent acts, and ways just to enter this State.

There are a lot of Asians here too. The Chinese, who are known as businessmen have companies and they have communities sprouting like mushrooms growing everywhere. Koreans and Japanese too, known to be the erudite types are scattered around and try ways and means to learn more which they apply for the benefit of their communities.

With no doubt, Filipinos, who are known to be the nurses, caregivers, skilled workers are everywhere. Undeniably, even among Filipinos, there are extreme personalities who are haughty. The high and mighty demeanor of some Filipinos is apparent when they start to converse among their fellow Filipinos.

There are times I remember when I was waiting for my flight to California. A lady sat beside me and asked many questions with a very trying hard twang with a very distinct and strong probinsyano accent. I was getting piqued so I responded in pure Tagalog: “Ate, marunong ka bang managalog kasi di po ako nag-aral, di ko naiintidihan ang sinasabi mo.”

One time, a woman talked to me with meek sounding tone but she was the one who helped me out with some undertakings. She had an unadulterated heart. As the line of The Desiderata says, “Avoid loud and aggressive people, they are vexations to your soul.”

The diversity of culture in California makes life exciting: food, music, and all. On the other side of the coin, unfortunately, before the law was passed, racial discrimination was the norm with no equal opportunities in health care, housing, employment, treatment and many more.
But then, even if the law was passed about equality and freedom from persecution, discrimination is still rampant.

Anyway, let us just say that Filipino culture that was brought to this country won’t be expunged because of the diversity of culture. Let the good Filipino values adhere and the negative ones eased out.