by VFM
This morning as I was browsing through my daily news, a sociology study stuck out of the information overload. In times of #Occupy and Gaddafi’s recent death, a sociological account was the last thing I thought I’d write a post about. But finishing my second month teaching at USF, I’ve been thinking a lot about how my course is going, what my students are learning, and … Read More Academically Adrift?
by VFM
If corporations can illegally pollute bodies of water, then people who are called “illegal” should have the right to drink water. Alabama, shame on you. After Georgia fell in line with Arizona’s racist and xenophobic attack on immigrants in the US, I decided that these nativist acts had to figure its way into my dissertation writing and teaching. I wanted to make sense of … Read More Alabama, shame on you.
by VFM
I love the contradictions of the Philippines. Jeeps and ignored traffic lanes Mobilization and repression Malls and poverty Drainage and floods — Just two days ago, my FiRE sisters and i went to Barangay Damayan Lagi, a shanty town next to the San Juan river in Quezon City. Most of the residents have lived in that urban poor community for 20 some odd years, inheriting … Read More Contradictions
by VFM
Today, Asian Journal’s Dennis Clemente wrote a bit about why Fil-Ams aren’t doing well in school. And, it really, really sucks. I know my last post is about the study of culture in sociology, the dangers of its circulation and, its internalization. And voila. Here it is, operationalized to talk about me, my fam, my community, my people. Big woop. There are a number of things wrong … Read More Hip hop better than homework
by VFM
If you are or you know anyone that is a migrant and is in need of help, please go to Migrante International’s new online complaint form: http://migranteinternational.org/?page_id=1187t
by VFM
‘Gender Gap Index’ Not Reflective of True State of Filipino Women – Gabriela “A glaring proof that Filipino women are still living in oppressive conditions – even though the country ranks high in gender-based indexes – is the increasing number of victims of violence against women, most notably, gang rape,” said Lana Linaban, secretary general of Gabriela. By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA … Read More ‘Gender Gap Index’ Not Reflective of True State of Filipino Women
by VFM
If you’ve ever been to the Philippines–well, Manila, at least–you’ll agree that it is one packed, overpopulated place. The Guardian in the UK agrees. So, Gabriela Partylist (the only women’s partylist, representing women, by women) has introduced, House Bill 3387, one out of 6 reproductive health bills so that abortions can be provided safely and, because they don’t want to come off too strong … Read More Population pill
by VFM
Last week, I was alarmed to see that the brand-spanking new Aquino administration put OFW assistance on the chopping block to be cut. The Inquirer reported that last year’s P50 million legal assistance fund would be cut to a meager P27 million this year. Why was I surprised? Because, as you may have noticed, I’ve been reading Anna Guevarra and Robyn Rodriguez’s book these … Read More Insecure Workers, Secure Labor Brokerage State
by VFM
“Nearly 190 million people, about 3% percent of the world’s population, lived outside their country of birth in 2005.” says the mighty NY Times. I’ve been thinking about how this “migration” problem isn’t just a Filipino thing. Duh, Val. But really, what I was thinking about is how Filipinos aren’t alone in the problems they face in and during migration. Yup, just like any … Read More Same problem, different places
by VFM
A lot of Filipinos, friends and otherwise, have expressed their disappointment and sheer disgust for Floyd “Money” Mayweather on their respective interwebs interfaces. And rightfully so. Manny is an icon in contemporary Filipino culture. He’s a great fighter. Sometimes people misunderstand why he’s a congressman, and sometimes I think its because he’s got money and therefore, following Filipino corruptionary, he should have some power. … Read More Racism & Homophobia in a Ring
