Desperate Housewives' racial slur?

Question

what do you think of Susan Mayer's (Teri Hatcher) words, "can i see those diplomas because I want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines" in Desperate Housewives season premier episode?

Answer 1

I promised to shoot the person who will ask this for the 50th time today. You are lucky, you are probably only the 26th.

ROFL.

Answer 2

Here is a link to comments on the issue:
http://en.wasalive.com/en/desperate+housewives

ABC has already issued an apology:

Thursday October 4, 08:59 PM
'Desperate Housewives' apology over Philippines slur

MANILA (AFP) - Makers of hit US television series "Desperate Housewives" have apologised for a slur against Filipino medical workers that caused an uproar in the Southeast Asian country.

The apology was sent to Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN's bureau in the United States and aired in the Philippines on Thursday following protests by the Manila government.

"The producers of 'Desperate Housewives' and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offense caused by the brief reference in the season premiere," cable news channnel ANC quoted the statement as saying.

"There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines," it said.

The episode showed actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer, asking during a medical consultation to check "those diplomas because I want to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines."

The apology was made a day after chief aide to Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said the line of dialogue appeared to be a "racial slur."

Philippine Senators said the apology was not enough, and urged their Foreign Affairs Department to lodge a formal protest with the US government.

"I am mortally offended by the statement because it betrayed the racial prejudice and denigrates the excellent performance of world-class Filipino doctors in the US," said Senator Miriam Santiago, whose sister is a doctor working in Los Angeles.


Now, let us all put the case to rest.

Answer 3

I am not a Filipino.
Why are so many treating this issue as if it's the end of the world.
Why not channel all this indignation into fighting DENGUE fever (that is also in the news) or petition the Philippines Government to shut down the fly by night medical schools or imprison those who issue the fake Diplomas, certificates etc.

I do not think that this was a racist comment at all.

I do think it was maybe a little bit insulting to the Filipino's but come on don't you guys make the same sort of jokes about other nationalities on your shows.

It's a pity that Filipino's can't get this agitated about the political scene and other major issues in their country.

I do think that Sugar Dad's question is on the mark.
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ajr8U6AhjHaYnwjadlk400Dg5gt.;_ylv=3?qid=20071004190929AAx6P0j&show=7#profile-info-9pB84M3taa

Answer 4

Dear Saramill3r, everyday many of us come to YA Philippines and discuss topics. Our community is small enough that we know eachother. I hope that every single network show in American, UK, and China plays shows with words like this. Why? Because for the first time people like yourself, many Filipino, are taking interested in the Philippines. Today has been quite busy for me, with maybe 10 questions about this "Desperate Housewives" show of which I didn't watch, and I bet you didn't either. So thank you for coming. I'm sad to say that you had to feel like the Filipino's were insulted to come...I guess if there's a compliment then no one cares.

Anyways it was an dig on the Medical Schools, which many foreigners attend, not on Filipino's themselves. Maybe now we can clean up our act. The truth hurts my friend, and sadly their was truth to the comment. It was more than just a network's mistake to "offend" someone but a reflection of a serious problem in the Philippines.

Answer 5

The video is genuinely thoroughly incorrect! How could a properly civilized county like the usa even arise with the money for to have writers having a tutor with racist statements and discrimination against different worldwide places? For me, that's not splendid. It purely shows that with their great ability and authority they'd ignore that we, Filipinos even have rights. They belittle Filipino docs and nurses. I genuinely disagree to this because of the fact so a great way as i understand, Filipinos interior the sphere of drugs are interpreting with the exposition of the main modern-day technologies. Examples of effective docs are ones from St. Luke's scientific center.... which could be in order that rude however that's in basic terms a assertion. whether they stated it grow to be in basic terms a comedian tale or sarcasm etc.. it might truly impact Filipinos........ The writers could say sorry to the Filipinos. that's a great discrimination rather to our docs..... human beings have a severe form of training yet they condone this? they could understand greater useful because of the fact that's going to break the attractiveness of our docs right here! they could not tolerate such outrageous acts! What an insane episode! undesirable Judgement!

Answer 6

I didn't like it, it singled us out as if our educational system is a joke. Many good doctors and nurses and other professionals in the US and around the world came from "some school in the Philippines" so I'd love to have some face time with the writer who thought that making such a remark was a good idea.

Answer 7

I guess bc I'm not from the Philippines it didn't bother me. I knew what she meant, was he a quack doctor bc he got his diploma somewhere other than the US.

I'm a middle class white american - the show is about middle class white american women.......there's simply a culture gap. You can't make everyone happy & Susan Mayer is the character who always has her foot in her mouth anyway.....

I'm not asking you to make exceptions to your country - but sometimes you just have to let it go & chalk it up to a little bit of ignorance.

Answer 8

americans are always like that, they wouldnt care if they call each other SL*ts or Whores on Live TV, thats who they are and they are used to it no matter how it affects the Morals and Pride of the Filipinos to their Medical team. It pisses the hell out of me!

BUT - That doesnt really mean that they should bann DHW in asia or wherever because even other TV shows or Movies are being racist when they see black, indians, and they also insult them! and we cant deny it, we also give the Japanese a bad image on some segments on Ch2.

Answer 9

It's definitely offensive. I mean, where do most of their nurses come from? They're from here. And they go on about insulting Philippine Medical Schools, while they import (excuse the term, not sure of the word to use in "importing" people) nurses from the Philippines. I don't blame Teri Hatcher, its her job to act, but when she read the script wouldn't she have said that that line was offensive? I mean, mainly its the writers fault, why on eart would they have written that? Was it for comedy? Why not choose another country?

Answer 10

Bopols,

you haven't answered my question yet, im in 27th..

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071004190929AAx6P0j&r=w


SOME med schools..my goodness.. my English teacher in a far away province taught me that SOME means few, little, not all.

If you are a graduate of a reputable school, a board exam passer or topnother, why be bothered by this joke..

Answer 11

it was a joke, taken out of context.. if you have watched the clip the doctor is not even filipino. it's a white american guy.. i guess they should be more careful on writing the script and the actors who just deliver the lines should also be aware that he/she is hurting other people or race for that matter.