Critical Reflection 2

Critical Reflection Paper Two: Theorizing American Occupation in the Philippines

This week was good in expanding upon ideas of oppression and privilege that we started diving into last week. During the group discussion, the topic of allyship was brought up briefly. It had me thinking about what Peggy McIntosh stated in her article when she said  "they may say they will work to improve women's status, in society or in the university, but they can or won't support the idea of lessening men's." (Pg. 96) Whether it is about gender, or whether it is about race, one must be able to not just realize how they possess innate advantages in life, but also be willing to take actions steps to better the situation and even the current systems for those who do not benefit from the same advantages. Some people may not be willing to take on the challenge of true allyship in this regard, and that is where the difference between allyship and sponsorship come to play. And if not, then a person is more of a supporter, rather than ally, to a person who is fighting for their rights, and standing on issues that are of concern, or are in need of action for a change that results in equity and just treatment. 

Reading Reynaldo Ileto's article was frustrating for me, especially as I reflected on our class trips (such as the one to the Embassy), and it thinking about how the U.S. Has never, and will never be at fault for any destruction and turmoil caused to this country. To claim the U.S. Is an ally to the Philippines, and the reason why the Philippines was able to come their independence is inaccurate on many counts. Even to this day we have U.S. Representatives believing that it wasn't an invasion, but a time of assistantship. As Reynaldo Illeto points out, "...the war (or rather insurrection) was a great misunderstanding. If Aguinaldo and his generals had been mature or intelligent enough to understand the intentions of the United States (which was to help the Filipinos complete their revolution under their tutelage), they would not have put up resistance." (Pg. 4) This rings with Mark Twain's article, as it criticizes American foreign policy and asks if it is better for a colony to be in darkness rather than to be under oppression? I am conflicted with the idea that it was all a miscommunication, and I will not accept that argument, as it has been thrown not just in readings. My tone on the U.S. and their involvement in the Philippines is forever changed, especially as we go on our trips as a class.

That being said, I would like to conclude with reflecting on my walk through of Manila's "walled city." From visiting St. Agustin to Fort Santiago, and the walk in between, it was truly a moving and surreal experience. To be standing in and next to the rooms where Rizal was held captive up till the morning of his sentencing was something I was not expecting. Reading about this history, and seeing pictures are to different experiences that I don't get to have often, and appreciate being able to first hand see the spaces that are discussed, and envision the history that occurred as I stand in those spaces. I have attached a photo (which I took) of the Spanish influence on architecture that sits in great condition, and further distinguishes the area from rest of Manila. Here in Intramuros, the streets are decorated with Spanish architecture that has been left untouched. It reminds me a lot of my trips to Mexico, as the same architecture fills the streets in the towns I visit, especially in the plazas and at major church sites. I am eager to go back to Mexico and experience the cites I have visited previously with my newly gained knowledge, and the knowledge I will continue to build upon, and experience the cites from a different perspective. 

Bibligraphy:

Ileto, R.C. (1998). The Philippine-American War, Friendship and Forgetting. In Shaw, A.V. &  Francia, L.H. Vestiges of war. (pp. 3-21). New York: New York Press.

Twain, M. (2002). To the person sitting in darkness. In Shaw, A.V. & Francia, L.H. Vestiges of war. (pp. 57-68). New York: New York Press.

McIntosh, P. (1988). White privilege and male privilege: A personal account of coming to see correspondences through work in women’s studies. In K. Tupper, Introduction to women’s studies: Women 200 (2nd ed.) (pp. 62-71). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.