Coffee Thursday
Is war at home?
I asked myself upon observing my countrymen and politicians express outrage to a Hong Kong magazine article:"The War at Home". The author, Chip Tsao said, "Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: there are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as $3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter."
Furthermore, Tsao said, "I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell every one of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China."
Adding to the pressure, Tsao mentioned, "Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings."
As a chain is no stronger than its weakest link, Tsao said, "Oh yes. The government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East. They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout 'China, Madam/Sir' loudly whenever they hear the word 'Spratly.' They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, 'Long live Chairman Mao!' at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I'm not sure if that's going a bit too far, at least for the time being."
With the publication online comes threats and relentless attacks on Chip Tsao and after a couple of days, he apologies to the Filipino people. Tsao aforementioned that he had "crossed the line" and was "terribly sorry."
This makes me think, how do we differentiate and read the thin line of satire and insult? In this case should we perceive the author as a racist abusive employer or portraying himself as racist patriot when he is expressing how insolent, rude and offensive his fellow Chinese and his government are?
One aspect of a satire is that it can at times be read in different ways: Is this funny or poor taste? What is the truth?
Personally, the subject cuts through me being a Filipino living abroad as it mirrors the reality of indeed we are a country of maids, nurses, caregivers, and laborers. These are the majority of jobs millions of Filipinos are employed overseas. These so-called servants are working an honest living in order to provide for their families back home.
I interpret this article in contrast to the majority, our Government should see the bigger picture that it does not satirize the scene of exploitation rather suggests Filipinos deserve better jobs at home. In addition, the Philippine economy should not rely and depend on Filipino OFW remittances, and the Philippines should not run for help to the American Government to deal with its own issues in the Spratlys.