kristinberry

The introduction to Carlos Bulosan’s America is in the Heart by Carey McWilliams reflects the stereotypical sentiments of Americans during the early 20th century regarding Filipinos. At first glance, McWilliams’ essay seems thoughtful and concerned about Filipinos’ hardships in the United States; however, as soon as the reader gets a little deeper into the introduction, he realizes McWilliams’ “sympathy” is ridden with racism. Just like the film we watched “Savage Acts,” McWilliams categorizes Bulosan and other Filipinos and helpless children, so naïve to fall into the immoral ways of gambling and prostitution. McWilliams ignores the real reasons people are forced to take on this lifestyle and indirectly blames their acts on cultural aspects.
Bulosan’s original chapters provide insight into the life Filipinos endured in the Philippines. His rhetoric not only appeals to other immigrants who identify with his childhood, but also gains sympathy from outsiders who have acquired a small insight into the life of a peasant farmer. I enjoyed the descriptions of his homeland and how the way he put a positive spin on negative situations to make the story more nostalgic.
I was interested by the American influence that arose early in the story through Bulosan’s brother, Macario, especially regarding education. Bulosan discusses how previously on the elite were able to have an education, and now it is more open to lower class families like his who can only afford to send one son. Obviously, he wants readers to understand that this situation is not that much better – Americans who have occupied is country have used propaganda to tell him and his people that this education is available on all levels when really families go bankrupt trying to pay for a better life for one of their children, so that they may be as wealthy as the Americans taking over their home.