Filipinos have been here in CA since the 1580s. Different waves of migration through the centuries on the west coast & in Louisiana. There are now about 1.6M Filipinos in CA, a state w about 40M people. 20% of nurses in CA are Filipino & we are dying at a disproportionate rate 1/

In my extended family alone (1st cousins), there are 2 doctors, 1 PharmD, 1 anesthesiologist, 1 RN, 1 CNA, 1 dentist, and 1 respiratory therapist. So far, just 1 has caught Covid, and thankfully they recovered. But too many are not. And mainstream media just brushes it off. 2/

Maybe bc we as a people are chill, just work & dont bother nobody, but it really feels like nobody cares. We're all burnt out from sheltering at home. When i see antimaskers & people partying I always wonder which one of the Filipino medical professionals will pay the price 3/

Our Black, Native, & Latinx family & friends are also dying at a disproportionate rate & again, it seems like only we (BIPoC) care about that statistic. Idk I mean I know life isnt fair but this...it just hurts. Seeing pics of al fresco dining in Bev Hills makes me puke 4/

I'm not asking for special recognition for Filipinos, I'm wondering why there isnt enough respect for us, for Natives, for Black folks, for Latinx folks, for other Asian folks - we are dying and nobody but us seems to give a shit

So while y'all enjoy HER, Saweetie, Bruno Mars, Shay Mitchell, Vanessa Hudgens or watch Jordan Clarkson hoop, remember there are non-famous Filipinos out there working hard, too
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