A Salute to Filipino WW2 Veterans
November 11th, 2008 | 6 Comments »
A bittersweet Veteran’s Day for our Filipino WWII veterans, who are are still seeking their due recognition and equity from the US government after Senate Republicans blocked approval of a recent lump-sum bill that passed earlier this year (fucking racists, these people). Hopefully Obama will make good on his word and finally bring this sad chapter in America’s history to a close. Until then, we salute them on this day, and every day, as we continue pressing for no less than the full equity and recognition they deserve. Check Black Eyed Peas “Apl Song” music video, which gets points for riding for this issue and featuring one of the many aging veteranos.
An interview by iLL-Literacy homie Ruby Veridiano-Ching with a veterano, Filemon Mordeno, who spoke on this ongoing struggle, and why he chose to vote for Barack Obama:
On another note, the same production crew behind the aforementioned BEP video, Xylophone Films, is prepping their latest project, a music video for my dude Bambu’s track “Crooks and Rooks” off the Exact Change album. Check the teaser here:
Bambu “Crooks & Rooks” Teaser from Xylophone Films on Vimeo.
It’s amazing how they’ll deny you benefits to those that sacrificed so much just because of the color of their skin. I don’t think the 442 Regimental Combat Unit, 100 Infantry Battalion and those serving in the MIS would have gotten any recognition if it were for some prominent people standing up for them.
Go for broke!
November 11th, 2008 at 5:46 pmAgreed. I think the US was also butthurt about losing the Philippines as a formal colony in 1946, the same year congress passed the Rescission Act which stripped Filipino veterans of their status.
November 11th, 2008 at 7:43 pmThe lump sump bill had some nasty strings attached to it though. Like the fact that if the veterans took the 15k offered them they would deny that they were “US Veterans” and would no longer be eligible for Veterans Benefits.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:58 ambtw i meant sum, not sump. grrr no coffee in the mornings makes lainey unable to spell!
November 13th, 2008 at 9:58 amThe Americans were happy to be rid of the Philippines as a colony, they couldn’t stand the thought of Filipinos being able to gain citizenship. The American capitalists learned that colonies were no longer necessary, not when their government had monetary and military supremacy. With the defeat of Nazi Germany, they also knew that it was not possible for them to cleanse the islands, not that they liked the tropics anyway.
Whether or not it passes, it is too little too late, it’s almost a slap on the face. It’s so frustrating seeing how nothing is acknowledged until long after the actors are deceased, like the apologies made to the interned Japanese and Aleuts, the theft of Hawaiian land, the Philippine Revolution named an insurrection until a couple of decades ago, and now this.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:00 pmIt’s never too little too late when you’re waiting for peace and closure in this situation.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:36 pm