A Look at Asian American Studies - Emery McKee - Ryan Caragher - Emma Rohrer - Gabe Velazquez

LITTLE MANILLA RISING

According to Nerissa Balce ’ s essay , Filipino Bodies , Lynching , and the Language of Empire , “ Filipino farmworkers were the subjects of racial violence and discrimination [ as early as the 1930s ]”. Balce ’ s text is encompassed within a larger text by Lisa Lowe titled , Positively No Filipinos Allowed ,” which highlights the story of Stockton , California ( my hometown ). The Little Manilla of Stockton used to be the largest community of Filipino people besides the Philippines prior to World War II . Its growth almost doubled after the war as more immigrants returned to their families . The influx of Asian immigration into western civilization brought about a grotesque form of racism . A racism that viewed any immigrant with nonwhite skin as “ beastly , savage , or half - devil half - child ”. Besides these horrific stereotypes that were formed , it was believed that Filipinos were a social , political , and economic threat . As they immigrated to places such as California this “ threat ” was neutralized through violence such as lynching or white imperialism . This is where Little Manila comes into play .

In Dawn Mabalo ’ s book , Little Manilla is in the Heart , themes of race , social hierarchy and identity are portrayed . She writes about how Stockton pushed this sense of white imperialism by tearing down culturally significant buildings such as hotels , houses , and diners in a wily way to push “ Americanness ”. After labor strikes led by Filipino farmers alongside the help of those under the leadership of Cesar Chavez , many cities like Stockton were ideal for Filipino immigrants . Thus , when their newfound home was torn down by Stockton officials , one could only imagine the devastation to the Filipino community . Besides losing a part of their physical culture , many Stockton Filipinos began to lose their identity as well . The widespread US push for imperialism resulted in a divide between first generation migrants and their new “ modernized ” offspring . Mabalo notes this in her book in addition to noting the importance of remembering Little Manilla and its significance to not only Stockton history but global history .

Today one can visit her site , Little Manila Rising in an effort to preserve this history , through educating and advocating for Filipino Americans .

Emery McKee