NAFFAA Chairman Flores on Trump’s Proposed Ban

Dear Editor, As a national organization committed to inclusion, diversity and the empowerment of Filipinos in the United States who have contributed significantly as immigrants to this country’s cultural, economic and political life, we are deeply troubled by comments made recently by GOP Presidential Candidate Donald J. Trump. In a recent speech in Maine, the latest in a series of divisive anti-immigrant and anti- Muslim statements, Mr. Trump lumped the Philippines among “terrorist nations” from where people should be denied entry to the United States.

The nearly 4 million Filipinos in the US today make up the second largest Asian American population in this country. They are proud of their historic accomplishments, notably in the American labor movement and in the nation’s education and healthcare system. During World War II, 260,000 Filipino soldiers served with uncommon valor to protect and defend America’s interests. After 72 years, they have yet to be recognized by the U.S. for their service and sacrifice. Today, Filipinos continue to serve with honor in the U.S. military, faithful to their duty to protect this country.

Mr. Trump’s misleading statement not only disregards how immigrants from the Philippines and other parts of the world have made America great. He is further inflaming a climate of increasing fear and growing hostility that have been directed against South Asian, Middle Eastern and Arab communities. He has now expanded the target of his xenophobic rhetoric to include Asian Pacific Americans, casting them as suspicious, disloyal and threatening.

Electoral tactics promoting harmful depictions of Filipinos and other communities of color deserve no place in American society. They are reminiscent of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which was used for years to halt the influx of Chinese laborers, and the unjust internment of over 100,000 Japanese Americans. We must ensure these dark periods in American history are not repeated. During these perilous times when Americans and people all over the world feel vulnerable because of constant threats to their safety and security, we can understand calls for vigilance and sometimes extreme measures from political leaders. But while we condemn all terrorist acts committed by anyone regardless of nationality, we must ensure that our nation’s values of inclusion and diversity always prevail over the rhetoric of division and fear. America is strong because it welcomes people around the world who enrich the social, economic and cultural fabric of the United States.

BRENDAN FLORES NAFFAA Chairperson **** Dear Veronica,

Our Filipino cuisine has made a touchstone in the D.C. area. Bad Saint is a hub of Filipino goodness. Guests kept coming back with friends, who share their gustatory experiences with Filipino foods. Filipino Americans are thankful there’s a nice place to hang out with friends and officemates. We’ve met millennials who brought in their parents, grandparents and uncles to Bad Saint. It’s a place to discover and celebrate Filipino culture.

Now, Bad Saint DC Filipino Restaurant, is Number 2 Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appetit, CBS News August 16, 2016.

Former Chicagoan Genevieve Villamora is co owner of Bad Saint.

GRACE VILLAMORA (Proud Mom of Genevieve V.)