- "As this course comes to an end, I can see the gaps within my ethnic history being filled with answers. I can relate the experiences of my relatives to a bigger picture of what was going on with all Filipinos throughout history" (Toledo).
- "My basic knowledge of history was shattered a while back, and now the word 'history' comes at me in a very different perspective" (Roh).
- "Even though you cannot change the past you can do something about the future" (Do).
These are the words of some of my students as they reflected on the semester. My class is done but because of the snow, I won't be getting official student evaluations until February (the ripple goes like this: snow two feet, cancel the last day of finals, reschedule them to the end of January, hold evaluations until February because there is no way to selectively report results for classes that are done). Until then, these words from class exercises and individual reflections will do.
- "Actual historical events...cannot be undone;however, the ones who record it have the ability to add, leave out, and alter the events" (Kostreski).
- "This course has taught me to be aware of the lens through which I view history. I have also learned to use history as a lens through which I might view the present and future" (Lane).
- "Filipino Americans are coming to understand their past and their identity through their participation in the present" (Bertucci).
These reflections make me happy. This is the third time I've taught this course and I think the syllabus worked. This the largest (40 students) and most diverse class yet (and you can tell from the names mentioned).
Objective: Students will discover the impact of U.S. imperialism on Philippine society and American identity.
- I spent most of my life thinking that we won against the Spanish Army for our freedom. It's like finding out Santa wasn't real.
- Countries can be bought.
- The Philippines did fall in love with the U.S. and that can still be seen today.
- Colonialism is bad.
- [On the appropriation of $1.5 million to display Filipinos in the 1904 World's Fair] It's interesting how the U.S. was eager to make a quota on how many Filipino students to bring over as pensionados...but when it comes to humiliating them then the bank is always open (Kabir).
Objective: Students will discover the impact of U.S. labor needs on Filipino migration and settlement patterns in the U.S.
- All immigrants seem to face racism at some point.
- Those without power have a difficult road in fighting for rights.
- Going forward, although immigrants and impoverished individuals are rarely represented fairly in the political spectrum, the government should do more to at least protect their basic rights. Hopefully, future immigrants to the U.S. will not face similar ordeals to those of the Manongs and other Filipino immigrants (Ramcharan).
Objective: Students will discover the signficant (yet often unrecognized) contributions of Filipinos and Filipino Americans to political and social movements of American history.
- American will never be able to pay the Philippines back for the veterans that served since most of them are deceased or too old to receive the benefits they needed their whole life.
- Labor unions are helpful in establishing workers rights.
- Filipinos are good singers.
- Students have a voice and can create change.
Unofficial objective: to change history.
- The winners write history. Don't believe everything you see or read.
- We need to approach history not as facts but as things that require perspective.
- History can be debated. Challenge the portrayal of American history.
- Share your story. Interview old people and get their story out.
Hopefully, the official evaluations will be just as pleasant to read. On to 2010!
No comments:
Post a Comment