Week 5

Kimi Villaroman
A01
Week 5

Darrell Hamamoto’s article “Empire of Death and the Plague of Civic Violence” hypothesizes that there is a causal relationship between the rise in homicide (serial killers and mass murderers) and the highly militarized post-war US culture. He brings up multiple killers, emphasizing reasons such as “economic uncertainty…and resentment against non-white minorities” (279) because they steal their jobs. I find this interesting for two reasons: 1) post-war, it can be difficult for those in the military to find jobs and economic stability, and 2) there is statistic evidence that immigration actually boosts our economy. To address the first point, as a Filipina American, I find it gross that the American government promised fortune to the Filipino veteranos who fought in World War II; yet they are uncared for, monetarily and personally, in today’s world. For all who fought in war, it should not be so difficult to find jobs. Why are so many veterans homeless? I am privileged to be a part of a community that cares for these veteranos when the government has failed to do so. As for the second point, in high school, I did a research paper on the effects of immigration and how it benefits our US society. With the influx of people, millions were added onto the labor force, creating a boosting economy. The grossly misleading reason why white people believe that we are taking their jobs is that while the unemployment rates for minorities have improved within the last decade, unemployment rates for white people have remained stagnant. This is largely due to the declining Baby Boom labor force and the increasing amount of minority births; not because we are “taking their jobs.” Another facet about the chapter that I found interesting is the case of Konerak Sinthasomphone, in which he was “returned to his boyfriend” after being found naked on the streets. The type of bigotry and ignorance that yellow people had to face thirty years ago boggles my mind because I know that in today’s society, that would NEVER be tolerated nor would happen. Also, I would like to highlight Reeves story with the Asian bride service. It is extremely common for Filipinos to force their daughters into marriage to gain economic status, as is the case of Emelita Villa. I am proud of the fact that more Filipinas are empowered in today’s age, yet this Asian bride phenomenon still remains a pertinent issue in our society back in the homeland. While I hate this fact, I am grateful that Hamamoto brings up this issue in his chapter.

Question: What are other unknown injustices against Asians that the government has hid away from the public?

Reference:

Hamamoto, D. Y. (2003). Empire of Death and the Plague of Civic Violence. In Masters of War: Militarism and Blowback in the Era of American Empire (1st ed., pp. 276-292). New York, New York: Routledge.

[Race of US Mass Shooters, 1982-2013]. Retrieved 30 April 2017 from http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/7/24/1405403/-Lafayette-Shooter-was-Confederate-Flag-bearing-Tea-Partier-who-Hated-Liberals.