soapbox i. New Era Perceptions

(jan. 2009. dc)

What does Jan. 20, 2009 mean to you?
written 1.8.09

"Sister, what do you think of the 2nd Amendment?" My 12-year-old brother, inquired. He looked me straight in the eye wanting a sincere, critical opinion. This is the same brother who asked me yesterday, "Sister, what do you think of China's government? Do you really think they operate as a Republic?" As we discussed further, it dawned on me that we live in a country where a 12-year-old Pilipino-American is exposed to history, current events and education in a way that our great ancestors could have only dreamed.

The Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States means that the perceptions of youth around the world will continue to change immensely. Their outlook on life, how they view ethnicity and history, critical thought and actions will take on different forms for generations to come. We already see how our youth take advantage of access to information via technology, but let us imagine how much they can accomplish once Barack Obama's actions as President resonate. His actions will show our youth the results of idealist strategies.

As a Pilipina-American filmmaker, I understand the power that images hold. This image alone has the power to instantly shift our youth's perception of power and self: a President of bi-racial ancestry and his family occupying not only the White House, but entering our minds subconsciously everyday through the media. This profound moment of the Inauguration of our 44th President is a timeless instant that our country has yet to experience, until now.

Barack Obama's Inauguration profoundly breaks the cycle of conventional media snap-shots. Imagine an 8-year-old Haitian-American girl growing up in Brooklyn, a 10-year-old Samoan-American boy in Portland, or a 7-year-old Native-American girl in North Dakota who all sit down with their families each night to watch television. Imagine the shift in feelings for these young American children to see a person of color in a position of power. Imagine how this changes their awareness of leadership, their concept of the United Stated and how they, as young American individuals, will be provoked to make a difference.

In 1981, my Godfather, Silme Domingo, was assassinated for standing up for the rights for workers of Local 37, the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union in Seattle, WA. In 1999, my Tita Junie was arrested for organizing and leading Seattle protests against the WTO. In 2008, we witnessed millions of Americans stand up for their rights by voting against the norm and electing Barack Obama. I am a filmmaker, an activist, a leader, and educator who happens to be a woman of color. I understand the magnitude of the legacy that has been passed on to me and now through Barack Obama's Inauguration, the momentum and significance of this legacy continues.

This year, millions of people around the world will watch the Inauguration of Barack Obama. How will this image alone modify the way young people of color perceive those in power? Media around the world will capture an Inauguration that not only represents change, but it also represents our youth (of all ethnicities) in an incomparable way. In turn, the 8-year old Haitian-American girl, the 10-year-old Samoan-American boy, the 7-year-old Native American girl, and me, the 29-year-old Pilipina-American woman, will be exposed to history, encouragement, courage, and optimism in a way that even our forefathers could have never imagined. The result of this exposure is immeasurable.