PETER’S PINOY PATTER — NOVEMBER 2020
MUSINGS
Is excluding People of Color in favor of White Supremacists in America’s Future? Part XIII
As earlier blogs have stated, my answer to this question is an emphatic YES! Moreover, no longer should there be any doubt as to where Donald Trump stands on White Supremacy. At the September 29 presidential debate, he announced to The Proud Boys — a far-right militia group with a history of violent confrontations — “Stand back and stand by.” This announcement also alerted other militias to be ready to take actions that may be ordered by Trump, should he lose the November 3 election. A few days later, as if to verify the true intent of Trump’s message, the FBI arrested thirteen far right militia members for plotting the kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Breaking News! Part II
Last month’s blog ended with several breaking news items with serious implications to American democracy. The month of October began with a headline that had even more serious implications, “DONALD TRUMP INFECTED WITH COVID-19.” On October 2 Trump tweeted he and his wife Melania indeed had contracted coronavirus — but only after downplaying the dangers of the virus for six months and after mocking Joe Biden at their September 29 debate for wearing a mask and observing social distancing, The next day a seemingly contrite Trump wore a mask on his way to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda MD to be treated for the disease. But he was not really contrite. During his three day hospitalization he did not permit doctors to publicly share critical details about his health. Instead, he tweeted that he felt fine, despite the absence of corroborating evidence. Upon his return to the White House, he was visibly out of breath and then took off his mask in front of staff just a few feet away as if to say they were in no danger of being infected by him. The next day, he said he was not only feeling fine but believed the therapeutic medication (not available to you or me) that he was taking was making him immune. From the outset of Trump’s infection by Covid-19, no critical details of possible danger to him or to others was ever confirmed by doctors. Is he the super spreader?
What followed were more irrational actions by Trump. He announced plans to hold rallies at the White House, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Iowa. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s foremost authority on infectious diseases, immediately responded, “When you have situations of congregate settings where there are a lot of people without masks, the data speak for themselves.” As the majority of states were experiencing yet another surge in virus infections, Trump declared, “Covid was turning the corner” — again, without corroborating evidence. He replaced Dr. Fauci with a radiologist with no background in infectious diseases and on September 19, he threw Dr. Fauci under stating, “….people are sick and tired of hearing from Fauci.” Fauci’s adult response, “I only want to do my job.”
Conclusion
It is clear from the above discussions People of Color are not a priority of the Trump Administration; it is also clear Covid-19 is out of control. The economy is in shambles. The nation is leaderless. From the time of the Obama years when he preached “birtherism” to his years as president, he has divided — not united — the country. He has proven to be totally inept in dealing with foreign and domestic affairs. His sociopathic narcissistic personality is fundamentally incapable of understanding issues of import. His disdain for science has led to America leading the world in coronavirus infections and deaths. He has been impeached — the only president since Andrew Johnson of Civil War infamy. It is imperative to vote Trump out of office on November 3!
VOTE BIDEN-HARRIS! VOTE BIDEN-HARRIS! VOTE BIDEN-HARRIS!
BRIDGE GENERATION NEWS
BG Personality of the Month: Gloria (Carido) Nomura, 78:
The fourth of five children of Leon and Camila Carido, Gloria was born on February 23, 1941 in Stockton CA. Like many Filipino babies of the times, she was delivered at home by a midwife. Her father, who immigrated from Bohol, Philippines during the 1920s, worked in the rich agricultural fields around Stockton. Her mother, who came from the Philippine island of Leyte, was employed in a local tomato cannery. For most of Gloria’s early years the Carido family resided in South Stockton, where the large Filipino population was relegated to what then was a segregated Stockton. Her friends, schoolmates, and social life were with other Filipinos. As a result she did not encounter discrimination. Her first brush with racial prejudice was when the family moved to a Filipino farm labor camp in nearby Walnut Grove for a short time during tomato harvest. At school, she found that students there practiced an ethnic based hierarchy where Mexican and “Okie” migrant farmworkers were at the bottom, Filipinos were a step up, and local whites were at the top. She got along with all groups, finding she had much in common with all of them. At the same time she learned to appreciate their differences. In retrospect, Gloria believes these experiences laid the foundation for her being able to bridge differences among all people in later years.
Gloria is a product of Stockton schools and went on to graduate from Edison High School, Delta College, Sacramento State, and College (now University) of Pacific. She described her formative years as being quiet and unassuming – traits that contrast with her community and civic activities during her later years. This should not be surprising. Throughout Gloria’s youth, her parents were heavily involved with the Dagohoy Lodge of the Legionarios del Trabajo – a Filipino fraternal mutual aid organization — and with their local parish, St. George’s Catholic Church. The Dagohoy Lodge hall was the scene of many fun events for Gloria, especially during the Christmas season when every child in attendance at the annual holiday party received gifts. Her parent’s strong Catholic faith was passed on to their children. Gloria remembers when she wanted to go to the movies on Sundays, her father telling her, “If you don’t have time to go to church, you don’t have time to go to the movies.”
Following her graduation from college Gloria joined the Edison High school faculty. She also found her South Stockton community being threatened by redevelopment. She joined the St. George’s Church Parents Council and then the Neighborhood Association’s “Save Stockton” program, quickly rising as chairperson of both organizations. As chairperson of the Neighborhood Association, she worked closely with the Police Department’s Prevention Partnership Program where she drew the attention of Stockton Mayor Joan Darrah. One day, the mayor encouraged her to run for the Stockton City Council, representing her district. Gloria won the election – the first Filipino/a to do so — became Vice Mayor, and served two terms from 1997 to 2004 until termed out.
Gloria enjoyed her years on the City Council, especially her interactions with Stockton’s racially diverse residents. She learned about the issues in her broad constituency. She learned to deal with the political reality that for every position she took, there was always a segment that opposed her. Her least favorite activity — asking residents for money during election campaigns. In addition to her tenure on the City Council, Gloria continued to teach at Edison High where she taught English and history for eighteen years before retiring. She takes great pride in teaching and would like to think she had something to do with her students’ achievements after high school. While she was on the City Council, Gloria underwent two heart attacks and had a successful quadruple by-pass — a twenty year survivor. Now retired, her old South Stockton constituencies still refer to her as Vice Mayor. Today, her life may be relatively quieter; but she remains involved – working on behalf of the community and supporting the work of the Filipino American National Historical Museum in Stockton.
Passings:
Burt Oriarte, 92, Vallejo CA ; Alex Soria, 74, Las Vegas NV; Dickie Labuga, 74, Turlock CA
Happy November Birthdays:
Gabe Baltazar, Connie (Adlao) Suan, Gregg Bambo, Carol (Labuga) Holcomb
PINAKBET — NEWS ACROSS AMERICA
Did You Know…?
According to the National Nurses United union, Filipinos make up 4% of nurses in the U.S. but 31.5% of nurse deaths from Covid-19.
Comedian Rex Navarrete was uncharacteristically serious as he talked about politics in his interview with host Erik Esteban on a September 14 zoom. He spoke knowledgeably and passionately about the dangers of the U.S. administration.
Click here to watch this Filipino Americans for Biden interview.
Speaking about comedians — in Jo Koy’s latest Netflix special, he introduced a number of aspiring Filipino comedians to his adoring public.
By day, Ruby Ibarra is employed as a scientist at a bay area biotech company, working in the quality-control department on Covid-19 test kits and a vaccine. By night, she’s an up-and-coming hip-hop artist, performing in sold-out shows with her eight piece band — TheBalikbayans. Click here to watch The Balibayans’ jam session.
Jeff’s Cuisine – the only Filipino restaurant within fifty miles — continues to cook up the delicious, authentic Filipino food that’s received such rave reviews in Yelp and other sites. Despite being reduced to take-out only, owner Jefferson Rono continues to be optimistic about the future.
Jeff’s Cuisine | 1135 Bellevue Road, Atwater CA (209) 386-3525
Race car driver Marlon Stockinger was the first Filipino to win the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship. View his racing profile here.
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