QUOTE (MisUnderstoodGenius @ May 21 2009, 04:09 AM)

What is the cause? I relate the struggle of African Americans in the United States to that of indigenous Filipinos because they share the same befuddling history of stunted economic and social advancement. Why?
I believe on the side of the filipinos this is a huge and sad error!
I have investigated, and observed countless discussions, eg. among the intellectual table rounds of the rappers.
(plus you may know the words of krs one)
the black culture was never homogenous and has been destroyed totally by the conditions of slavery and violence..
this is a tragic and heavy load of the past that depresses many of them. any attempt of black culture is very young and still immature, and created from scratch, compared e.g. to chinese and filipino cultures.
"learn math because the whole universe and its function is based on math" - a principle of the "zulu nation", founders of hip-hop! but today their ideas are almost forgotten.
it does help to support the emergence of new black culture, and to help these people to get feet on an even playground, AND to support education so they can make use of the opportunity.
it does NOT help asians to mix up their own identity and fate with that of blacks! not good to both sides.
there can be advantage and progress with synergy and even kapwa on grassroots level, but in the end each have to find their own genuine ways.
I want to stress this because I have seen negative traits and views enhance each other, in contact between asians and blacks in the west! the outcome is crime rate and failure. there are structural limiting conditions and strategies based on this outcome, to the advantage of an eliticist class.
let us focus on the filipino culture. please see me as an observer, who is sensitive about particular points and structures, in the comparison between cultures and their resources.
http://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/IIID-4/chapter-9.htmhttp://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/III-8/chapter_iii.htmhttp://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/IIID-4/chapter-4.htmhttp://www.crvp.org/pubs.htmI have posted this before. it is only a minor starting point.
the basic message it this:
the cultures who have success and influence in the global world, are having a) global spreading, b) organized diaspora, c) organized cultural education with their own genuine literature and other means of education.
take a look at the jews. their diaspora is best known. they have very strong traditions, and they teach their children how to read hebrew literature, or at least english translation of the torah and talmud, which is a resource of a very coherent and versatile way of thinking and - DISCUSSION!
educational discussion that is very bold and open, on a good package of writings, has the best effect on making the next generation strong again.
same with the chinese. they will never abandon their graphic complex 'alphabeth' because it keeps their whole country and culture together, in spite of different spoken languages. this way of writing goes together with "geometric reasoning" and metaphoric transmission of ideas and concepts. to understand the writing, a student must learn the biggest part of the culture and resource of historic metaphors and anecdotes as well. this includes the big streams of world views like confucious, lao-tze (dao), and even buddha. ok not to forget maoism and more recent teachings of the modernized leading party

all this has been sorted into a greater "geometric" context that consists of an environment, and basic principles of life and action. it allows vast diversity and versatility, though the government does not put much focus on that in the open.
these cultures understand that their traditions together with wisely reacting to progress and reality, make the ground of their whole survival.
while the blacks are still in the process of writing their new cultural code and resource,
the filipinos already have very rich writings and knowledge, and even everyday behaviour does reflect rich traditions and cultural knowledge. just there is less consciousness about resources, than among jews and chinese.
IMHO the creation of "flip-towns" would not be of any help.
I would suggest that education must be enhanced with compilations of traditional cultural values as portrayed in the above crvp examples, and it should include a modern discussion also of the writings of dr. rizal, whom I see as a brilliant artist whose sarcastic and critical view about the society of his time appears very modern still today. his humor is a bit hidden, like always when artists create work under a totalitarian or feudal regime.
what must be sought is the method of "schooling", to accomplish this. like sunday school of some christian religions, and family book reading plus religios festive gatherings of jewish communities. it could start with st.cruzan, which is an opportunity to meet and teach cultural values. and never forget that the spanish regime and their clerus of the past wanted to root out older cultural values, much more than christendom itself would ever suggest.
the biggest strength to filipinos is their huge global experience, when 10 percent are living in other countries, and have intense contact to their extended families in the home country and elsewhere.
therefore, openness and compatibility, and human skills (e.g. maintaining harmony as an important principle) in interaction are part of this strength.
conscious teaching of their own ways of reasoning and obeying "values", and open critical discussion of all that too, would help to develop individuals and communities so they will also have better economic success and stability.
for instance, chinese, jewish, and turkish (in europe) communities most time know how to keep balance between internal economy (mutual business within the culture) and business with the outside world, so there is justice and success for all, without creating jealousy and hatred. it is not perfect, but compare with other communities and you will understand..