By Rina Magsombol

Correspondent

Folks just might gain a different outlook on life after reading E.J.R. David's book, “Filipino-American Postcolonial Psychology". The book delivers much passion from the author, voicing out reasons why Filipinos and Filipino Americans possess the colonial mentality they have today.

In an interview with Philippine News, David explained that he wanted to further educate Filipinos and FilAms about the colonial perceptions operating in their minds.

"I think it’s time for us to be aware, if not accept, that colonial mentality has been negatively affecting us and our loved ones for many generations. By keeping it under control, then we can at least begin the process of stopping its effects and stopping the possibility that we pass it on to future generations," said David.

David's theory of colonial mentality was derived from his scientific research. He defined it as an “automatic and uncritical preference” of anything Western or American-related. He added that it is an “automatic and uncritical rejection” of anything Filipino-related.

His theory included a variety of scenarios.

"Being ashamed or embarrassed of the Filipino culture, denying or diluting one’s Filipino identity, regarding anything 'Made in the USA' as better than anything from the Philippines, using skin-whitening products or regarding lighter skin as more attractive are some examples," stated David.

David’s book is heavily connected to his own life. The Philippine-born writer was raised in Las Pinas, attending an all-boys institution called Don Bosco Technical Institute. From there, he focused on varsity competitive basketball and then eventually moved to Alaska with his father in 1994. With his hopes of touching real snow and experiencing a “white Christmas,” David's transition to the states was anything but smooth.

"Many people in the United States, including other Filipinos and even some relatives, made fun of how I spoke English and of the way I dressed and acted. They called me  ‘FOB’ (fresh of the boat).  As a teenager and as a person who dreamed of coming to America, all I wanted was to be accepted and to be regarded as American," David disclosed.

He said transition adjusting toAmerican lifestyle was rocky.

"The message I received was that for me to be accepted, I needed to get rid of my accent, change the way I acted, and become as American as possible. In essence, I had to abandon my Filipino-ness."

The Alaskan-raised author conducted his research and book launch to raise awareness to the Filipino and FilAm community. Realizing the negative effects colonial mentality had among the community, David hoped it would stop.

"Filipinos aren’t born wanting to be lighter-skinned or regarding anything Filipino as inferior to anything American or Western. We were not born hating or being embarrassed of our heritage. In fact, no one in the world is. Thus, we need to ask ourselves why do we develop these self-denigrating attitudes and beliefs. Who taught us to think less of ourselves and of our heritage?"

The book, which is a culmination of David's 10-year research, discusses historical and contemporary realities and the reasons why Filipinos and FilAms have this particular colonial mentality. Further, it also explains the psychological and mental health consequences of colonial mentality and how it may negatively affect Filipinos' sense of identity, mental health and self-esteem.

The doctorate-degree holder in clinical community psychology from University of Illinois stated that readers will discover interesting points proven in the book.

"Colonial mentality may exist among us even if we deny it; even if we are not aware of it and even if we don’t try to show it. In other words, it can operate automatically and even unconsciously. Finally, colonial mentality may be reversed. So, there is hope that we can develop a more positive regard of our heritage and uplift ourselves and our communities," David contended.

David was enlisted in the army during his earlier years, but was later awarded a scholarship to attend University of Alaska Anchorage. He is now a professor at UAA, living in Anchorage with his wife, younger brother and mother. His academic research and books are dedicated to more than just the readers.

"I did not just want to share what I have learned with the scientific and academic community,” he said.   “I wanted to share it with the community for whom this work is really about – the Filipino and Filipino American community. They are the ones who participated in the research projects and whose experiences I am trying to describe. They are the ones who need to know the results of such research. I wanted to give it back to them."

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