There was an audible gasp followed by quizzical looks from a crowd earlier this month when Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer welcomed dignitaries from Dumaguete City — Alameda’s sister city in the Philippines. And now some people are calling Spencer’s comments racially insensitive and embarrassing to the Filipino American community in Alameda. The flub occurred June 5 as Spencer greeted the sister city’s mayor, his staff, and members of the community. Spencer said her children, like Filipinos, eat “white rice.” Spencer’s remarks were recorded, and then slowly disseminated around the island. Alameda Mayor In Hot Water Over Racially Insensitive Comments | East Bay Express Is it insensitive to say that Filipinos like to eat white rice? A stupid an irrelevant comment from someone completely ignorant about Filipino culture but it certainly wasn't "racially insensitive and embarrassing to the Filipino American community". It was probably the only thing that the mayor knew about Filipino culture (and it certainly is a fact that Filipinos like white rice). Instead of getting butt hurt and playing the victim maybe the mayor should have just laughed it off and offered to make her some filipino dishes that Filipinos are "proud" of.
Put those who complained on a no-white-rice diet for a month and they will realise how true the statement was :-D
Interesting how they are quick to draw the racist card, when they allow LGU's to openly discriminate foreigners in the Philippines (thinking of pricing on entrance to parks, waterfalls, Oslob whale shark watching circus etc. etc.)
Alameda is not a large Filipino community Daly city across the bay has 10X as many living there, and yes i hear the " Hun if i don't eat rice i will Die " over and over LoL
The Mayor seems like a nice lady...I dobt she has any racial angst towords Filipinos or anyone. People are way too sensitive these days....
