Letter to the Editor: Anti-Filipino Vandalism Unnecessary, Could Be Learning Experience

Editor's note: This letter was sent in response to reports anti-Filipino vandalism that surfaced throughout Union City after the New Haven Unified School Board of Education approved to change the name of a middle school after Filipino-American labor leaders.

Submitted by Beatrice Contreras 

As a former resident of Union City, a member of the Filipino-American community, and a progressive activist fighting for API recognition, I am absolutely horrified by the recent anti-Filipino vandalism that took place in my hometown and its implications.

While I have departed Union City to pursue higher education, I occasionally return to the place in which I was raised and find that my experiences at the University of California have helped reshape my perspective on the city.

As an alumna of James Logan High School I am proud to come from a place where diversity of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, political perspectives, sexuality and other categories was prevalent. I met some of my greatest friends and role models while living in Union City.

I have observed the controversy of Alvarado Middle School’s name change as someone who is not directly involved in it. Although I can respect the variety of opinions on this, I ultimately believe that the name change is something that will greatly benefit our community.

I do not think that changing the name should trigger anti-Filipino sentiment; if anything it should cause people to question why the namesakes of the school are so worthy of mention and inspire them to think critically.

I do not believe that certain groups should receive “special” treatment, which is what this name change has been commonly perceived as. Things like Black History Month and the school’s name change are not preferential treatment, but rather are ways to branch away from the type of education provided to us by mainstream institutions. It’s time our knowledge of history reflects the diversity of our area, and this is a method by which we can achieve that.

I hope that the recent vandalism will create a dialogue among the different communities in Union City. It saddens me that crime is what might unite these communities, but my hope is that these communities will truly try to listen to each other’s struggles and differences, respect each other, help each other and ultimately coexist peacefully.

I hope that rather than creating scapegoats or pointing fingers, the Union City community can see this as a learning experience.

Sincerely,
Beatrice Contreras
James Logan High School class of 2011
Second-year student, University of California Santa Barbara
UCSB Associated Students Isla Vista
Community Relations Committee Outreach Coordinator, 2012-2013 UCSB Associated Students Off-Campus Senator, 2013-2014