Bringing the Marginalized into Conversations about American Raciality - Erin Kane - Keely Gaeta - Emily Norris

Filipino Bodies, Lynching, and the Language of Empire by Nerissa Balce

Filipino Raciality

Around the time of the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War, Filipino Raciality became prevalent. The way Filipinos were depicted and understood was as degenerates, savages, and childlike. They were depicted in editorial cartoons as racially Black. This image was what circulated in the news and minds of Americans and shaped the way they understood the Filipino culture.

Dean Worcester

Dean Worcester was a Zoology Professor from University of Michigan. He quickly rose to influence after photographing the Philippine region and inhabitants. Being appointed to the Philippine Commission by President McKinley obviously meant that his knowledge about the region was valuable. However, how objective was his knowledge? Worcester's desire to keep the Philippines without independence causes a shift in the analysis of his work. Seemingly, Worcester did all he could do to play into the idea that Filipinos were in desperate need of U.S. colonization. Not only did he educate the American people about the Philippines, but he had an addition role of ensuring the American people are viewing a carefully curated narrative that limited the amount of civil unrest surrounding the colonization.

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