4/17 - Betrayal, Class Fantasies, and the Filipino Nation

In Benito M. Vergara Jr’s article, “Betrayal, Class Fantasies, and the Filipino Nation in Daly City”, he argues that Daly City is the American Dream that illustrates the national desire of wanting to achieve middle-classness and materialistic goods. With that, it comes with complex layers of longing for their homeland and the uneasiness of being projected as a selfness traitor. The reading reminds me how settling into America is often romanticize, glorified, and simplified narrative. However, this type of framework is harmful for those that migrate and those that stay in their homeland. Due to the unrealistic expectations of the American Dream, immigrants are more often disappointed and unfulfilled; while at the same time, their families envy them anyways because they supposedly “made it in America”. I see this type of pattern within my own communities.

With 42 years after the Khmer Rouge, my family is trying to heal from their trauma and the American Dream projects a false image of “already healing” since we are in America. I am aware that my family is still trying to achieve the American Dream. Although we are at a more financially stable place, my family constantly work overtime to meet our needs. Meanwhile, my family in Cambodia would consistently ask for money because their perceptions and understands of living in America are limited.