I am a Filipino Through the Eyes of an American Citizen Essay -- Histo

I am a Filipino Through the Eyes of an American Citizen In Webster’s New Dictionary, history is defined as a study of past events; course of life or existence. Without history, we wouldn’t know our cultures, where we came from, and the major events that changed the world. This is true for many people, because some of them don’t know their culture or their families’ history. People of color, especially many minorities who are born in America (second generation) tend to not learn their histories, for they have to adapt to the American lifestyle which make them lose a part of their identity. Another reason why many second generations don’t know their history is that many are learning the American history or many of them are not asking or willing to question the teacher about their history. As for myself, I fit in to that category, because I am one of the many people who don’t know their ethnicity’s history, which is Filipino. Now in the year 2001, I’m in college and wanting to learn and question my people’s history. â€Å"College is one of the best sources to learn your history† (DeGuia). In learning my history, I questioned my friend Rex DeGuia (who is also Filipino) about his life experience and compared his life with my life experience, in which we both have some similarities and differences. Rex DeGuia, a man who identifies himself as a â€Å"Filipino† man, was born in December 4, 1971. He has four family members, whom he loves dearly, and was born in the United States of America, which makes him a second-generation citizen. He lives in a predominately white city of San Fernando Valley. This is one of the reasons why he is Americanized. Growing up was hard for him, for he felt like an outcast. As for me, I too was born in America, ... ...Supervisors. We want to learn more about our identity because it’s an adventure to find your history about your people and about yourself. Overall, DeGuia and I are similar in some things and different in other things. The reason why I chose him was because he played a big part in my life in finding my identity. In high school, he was pushing me to join the club so that I can understand the FOBs’ (Filipino-born) experience. In Balboa High, there is segregation between the Filipino Americans and the Filipino-born. The reason I wanted to join was because I wanted to unite the Filipino Community, and I found it as a challenge for me to do before I leave high school, and be remembered as one of the founder of the Club Mabuhay. Work Citied DeGuia, Rex. Interview by Xander, 30 April 2004, San Francisco, CA, Tape Recording. Chomp On This! Vol. One, San Francisco.