Her Culture Bi-Monthy Magazine August/September 2015 | Page 24

AND I AM. I do not mean to disrespect my
parents, but I deserve respect. I deserve to be
treated like somebody. I am somebody. So I go
against the conformity of kapwa,
subservience, and feeling inferior to elders for
the sake of collectivism. I refuse to watch
someone walk away from a discussion, allow
them to look down on me, or submit to
misplaced authority.
I am Filipino and I understand kapwa. I love my
family for what they’ve done to deserve my
love. But I am also American and I am
absolutely and unapologetically somebody.

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