Back to our conversation on #Stereotypes.
I recall one particular incident when someone was offering me an acting job in Hong Kong. The person called, conversed with me, then exclaimed— “Wait a minute. You actually speak good English. I’m impressed. It’s actually really good... for a Filipino.”
Mind you, this was already after the film awards, and after many video interviews of me available online. It would have been nearly impossible for someone who did even a modicum of searching to have been incredibly surprised at my ability to articulate my thoughts in this language.
With the intention to correct a misconception, I said something along the lines of— “I’m not sure how many Filipinos you converse with, but I am quite certain that many more can speak like me, if not better.”
Since that time, when someone tells me, “Wow, I’m really so impressed that you speak good English,” I politely inquire on what basis their surprise is grounded.
Often, it leaves people silent because, much as they mean well, they realise they made assumptions based on my being Asian and/or Filipino.
Why does it matter for me to talk about this? Because many harmless comments are based on skewed social perception— if not hasty generalisations. When left unchecked, it does not take long for subjective biases to be accepted as “truths.” This is where stereotyping begins.
This is happening globally, but it does not take much to create ripples in perceptions locally.
So ask questions. Prod at discomfort. Engage in dialogue. And challenge stereotypes.
Have a good night!
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