Comments (143)

to Mr. Bakshi:

I just heard your interview on All things Considered on NPR and overheard this story. I am Black and and currently serve in the Navy. I have been to Subic Bay and Olongapo ,and first , I understand why they want to come to the US; I didn't know want poor was until I went to the Philipines. I find it kind of ironic that Filipinos treat Sheila badly for being half-black when the Filipinos in the southern part of the islands are just as black, and are discriminated againist just as bad(Long before we got there, the Spanish, Dutch,Japanese did the same thing). I know I'm being naive about this; while I half-expect some white people to be prejudiced, It hurts when I see non-whites do it. It just goes to show you that people are jacked up all over the world. I hope Sheila has gotten some closure, and I hope her father can do the right thing.

To Mike M.: I don't think this is an example of how non-Americans are more racist than Americans. After all, the Pi really has hardly any interaction with those of African descent to be racist towards them, yet, the Pi is heavily influenced by American media & views; so where is this racism coming from?

To Jennifer: Thank you for your comment about your personal experience with the impression foriegners receive of African Americans from American media. It saddens me to think what general society hands to average people in the world & how it negatively affects their views.

I can't wait to continue my edu & start travelling so my view of the world & all people can expand. I only hope that people can do more to make more healthy balanced views to the average person.

It really makes me wonder where racism comes from (individually & in amongst societies). I've heard scholars say that RACISM AS WE KNOW TODAY didn't exsist in the ancient world. So what were it's beginnings in becoming such a common aspect of many societies in today's world? Does this mentality spring up whenever/wherever a society get's too powerful & starts think highly of itself to look down on others; &/or has this mentality spread by being impressed on peoples by the influence of other societies?

To JR4H: Good point you made in painting a different set of circumstances of the people in the article: it's so interesting how different the picture seems to the actual circumstances. The poverty & moral choices of the parents really do magnify the race issue; the fact that her own community in the Pi doesn't accept her is also a magnifying affect too, though.

Thank you Dwain!

This is by far the most accurate description of the Filipino I've seen in this thread so far. Yes we are very resilient and we are very happy, that's one of the reasons why (customer service) jobs are being outsourced to the Philippines.

It seems that the so called "American Dream" isn't much of a dream for Sheila Maria since she's doing better than her father could ever do. It is comforting to know that she has found her father, this gives her some closure on who she really is.

Dwain:

I have been to the Philippines recently and have gotten to know the people of the Islands and their culture and living conditions.

After reading this story and all the comments, I only wish all of you could go there with an open heart and open mind and see for yourself.

If you watched the video that accompanied this article you saw something of the poverty that exists in the Philippines. What you can't see is that the areas around the former military bases are actually more affluent than the distant provinces where life truly is hard.

Although Filipinos live in dire conditions by western standards, they are some of the happiest, most loving people on the face of the earth. They lack many things by our standards, but you would be amazed that you always see them smiling or singing.

They live a simple life and are a simple people. Yes, there are some sad stories, but they are a proud and resilient people. Search ways to help them if you wish, but stop judging people by your own standards.

Racism after all is the by product of misunderstanding and fearing any one who is different than you.

Ingat (Tagalog for Take care.)

Dwain

December 19, 2007 1:49 PM | Report Offensive Comments

You go, girl!

Hi Westerner and O'Po, after reading both your comments I thought hard about the use of that word. It is certainly true Olongapo was seedy for decades, and there is still a substantial element of illicit sexual activity going on. What O'Po points correctly to is the turn-around of Subic Bay, the old military base, and the new jobs opening up there. I interviewed the former mayor and head of the political dynasty here, now Senator Dick Gordon (his brother is mayor now, and Dick may run for president) and he would have objected strongly to my choice of words. Yet father Shay Cullen would probably be more receptive. Compared to other places, this city still has a problem with sexual tourism; however, it is improving, and Subic is providing good, legitimate employment that brings up a lot of labor from Olongapo. All in all, I am going to leave the word, but your points are well taken. When I wrote this piece, I was planning to write a longer post on the renovation of Subic based on my interview with Senator Gordon and others but decided not to. I'll post some of that interview below though if you remind me so that you can see the ways in which Subic is improving Olongapo, and I'll post something from Cullen about the lengths Olongapo needs to go. It's certainly important to complicate the use of that term, and I appreciate your input to do so.

Dred, you clarified my post well. Thank you. To all of you who thought the comment was racist...GET OVER YOURSELF YOU RACEBAITERS.

And for the rest of you, Merry Christmas!

Hey Amar, O'Po has a point. What made you describe Olongapo "seedy"? I'm picturing the whole town as one big red light district.

In response to "Joe" 's comment:

I find this very offensive. Should "people like Samual [be] forcefully deported, maybe be to an african country like Liberia, which was originally created for people like him," because he is black? And is this implying that since he is black, he should be deported to a country such as Liberia to become a slave? I am not African-American myself, but I find this comment extremely derogatory, small-minded, rude, and racist. Joe should keep his comments to himself. We're not living in the 18th century and discrimination and racism just aren't "cool" anymore.

Oh please the African American is the most hated race in the world, I know this from experience the Indians (not the Native Americans) refer to us as Kafa's and dalet which is the term for the N word. Every race in the world has a derogatory term for the African American and what is really sad is they come to our country and berate us.

[This note is from Father Shay Cullen who is the founder of Preda]:

Reading the comments on the blog I see the respondents are not aware that Shiela is receiving a full scholarship at a Private College and a guaranteed Job at Preda as soon as she graduates. We have an immigration lawyer based in Washington who I am requesting for pro bono may try and get her Father to sign a sworn affidavit claiming her as his daughter.

The elephant in the room is the role of the military in the actions of its service members and the prostitution that inevitably grows around overseas military bases.

As a woman who was in the military I can tell you that assignments like the Phillipines and Korea are prized because service members are tacitly allowed to behave in any manner they wish. What goes TDY, stays TDY. Servicemen told me it was the fault of the people in those countries because they will do anything for a dollar or to get to the big BX in the States. You have no idea how many old bucks lament over the lost days of debauchery.

There is a move underway for commanders to make bars off limits that blatantly offer prostitutes. Servicemen are angry that the military would try to regulate their morality. But one poster wondered why the US didn't bring children of servicemembers to America. So we should be responsible for the actions of men who can't be responsible for themselves?

We all support our troops. We give them great responsiblity but apparently behaving like moral adult men and women is not one of them. Their actions are unacceptable. People make mistakes but this happens all too often and it's happening today. This is the play "Miss Saigon" with a slightly different ending.

For the author to state in his article that Olongapo is a "seedy town" shows his true ignorance of the real state of Olongapo.

This city may have have been considered "seedy" back when the US Navy base was open here and the city was run by USA back before 1991. After the Americans left the city in 1991 its residents have turned the former military base and the surrounding areas into a major tourist destination, with 5 star hotels and restaurants. (Here are some links to examples). The landing strip has been turned into an international airport and Fed Ex hub, and the docks have been turned into a major port for ocean going ships.

There are many high tech and also large industry firms locating in and around Olongapo. It is a progressive city with a bright future. Along with this growth has come opportunity for many good jobs and occupations for Shiela and others like her.

Speaking of seedy towns, have you driven around some of the poorer areas in Washington lately? (Or any other USA town for that matter.) Stopped in the many bars there? Noticed the hookers walking the streets, or seen the topless or all nude bars?

Visit the new Olongapo. Make your own judgement. Shame on you Amar. For you to show only the poor and the worst conditions behind this thriving city, and insinuate that the whole city is seedy is just bad journalism.

"Any person from Canada to Argentina could use the term "American" to describe their nationality but it wouldn't be correct."

Unless, of course, they are from the United States of America.

"There is no country named America."

No, but there is a country named the United States of America. It also happens that this is the only country in the world with "America" anywhere in its name. Seems fairly unambiguous which country the word "America" refers to.

Similarly, there are no countries named Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, etc., etc., etc. The list of countries that are actually named what everyone calls them is extremely short.

"For the US to claim it is egotistical and rightly raises the hackles of "Americans" from other countries."

And for others to demand that we rename our country 200+ years after the fact so that they can refer to themselves as "Americans" rather than "Latin Americans" or "South Americans" or whatever is ridiculous, insensitive and offensive. What's the point? Is there any reason at all why one would prefer to refer to one's self by continent rather than by nation?

"I have only one problem with your country. Why you call yourself America??"

It's short for United States of America. This name was selected because it indicates the federal nature of the republic ("United States") and its location ("America").

It always baffles me when people choose this, of all things, to pick a bone about. Is this REALLY the most offensive aspect of our nation? Wouldn't our time be better spent worrying about Guantanamo or waterboarding or CO2 emissions or something that actually matters?

"I´m from Argentina and from America and hate that people from United States thinks that America is a country."

America IS a country. You can hate us all you want for calling our country that, but it's silly to pretend that it's some kind of mistake on our part. Lots of words refer to different entities in different contexts; are you going to insist that these are all mistakes as well?

"With that actitude the rest of the habitants of these continent can think that you want to expand."

Well, that was the original idea. Back when the name was chosen, we were the only nation in the western hemisphere. Everybody else was a colony owned by one European empire or another. And, yeah, the idea was that the entirety of the continent would be liberated and join the new federation. But that idea went down in flames well over a century ago. Do you guys really stay up at night worrying about this? Or are you just prickly over the fact that we got independence first, and so got dibs on the name "America?"

"Please think about it and change the name of the country."

Riiiight... you know, if you said something like this to a citizen of any other country in the world, you'd be considered extremely rude. More importantly, though, I'd advise dropping the issue, lest we change the name to something itended to antagonize you. The Real America, perhaps, or the United States of Earth.

"America is a continent."

No, North America and South America are continents. "America" is a catch-all term that has many different meanings depending on the context and language.

Congress screwed this mix kids by not allowing them to live in the US.

Congress screwed this mix kids by not allowing them to live in the US.

"So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others? "

____________________________________________

So many re-posts of this comment... anyway, the comment was apparently made in reference to the differences in treatment between Philipino-Americans with white fathers and Philipino-Americans with black fathers. Presumably, the author of the original comment thought it weird that Philipinos would display a preference for white people, since they aren't white themselves. The explanation for this phenomenon presumably lies in the history of colonization in the Phillipines at the hands of white people (first the Spanish, then America).

I hope Sheila does the right thing.

Let me help you to the review the facts as if you were the Judge! Blacks were rendering money to grown woman; over 18 but were prostitutes which is illegal because of the U.S.A's Uniform Code Of Military Justice or plainly stated laws that govern servicemen's conduct....... Now the whites were doing the same thing i.e. paying for sexual gratification or paying prostitutes. The difference presents itself as this, the girls the Whites hired for sexual favors were underage in America we call this child abuse, statutory rape, rape, child molestation etc. By military law the whites have two charges against them: one for the act, two is the act involved an underage girl. Now Black or White they both left children there but the children mixed with White were loved but children with black blood was hated. This shows how slavery scarred the World. Let's find all the Dads not just the Blacks please include the Whites....... In this rare occasion both Black and White servicemen were wrong based on our limited understanding and only the CREATOR can Judge them with DIVINE WISDOM!!!!!!!

I see someone mentioned Obama. Interestingly, even his black dad did not stick around after his birth and he was raised by his white mother. If, and a big if, Obama becomes POTUS, you can bet Obama's deadbeat dad would be paying a visit to the white house soon, crying for forgiveness like the deadbeat loser Shiela has for a father.

I believe in 2nd chances (or 3rd or 4th chances for that matter). Just because Sam made some mistakes and ended up in jail, doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve a chance to make amends with his daughter and/or any of the other people in his life that have an issue with him. Isn't that how a person builds character - by recognizing that they have made a mistake and trying to make it right? I find it ironic that some people in this forum have labeled Sam a "loser" or a "bottom feeder" without even knowing his circumstances. There are so many of our vets who are homeless, mentally ill, or disabled that have not been able to reintegrate into society. I believe our vets deserve better.

I think we should rewrite our immigration laws so that people like Shiela are let in, and people like Samual are forcefully deported, maybe be to an african country like Liberia, which was originally created for people like him. The less trash the better for all us Americans.

I have been to the Philippines recently and have gotten to know the people of the Islands and their culture and living conditions.

After reading this story and all the comments, I only wish all of you could go there with an open heart and open mind and see for yourself.

If you watched the video that accompanied this article you saw something of the poverty that exists in the Philippines. What you can't see is that the areas around the former military bases are actually more affluent than the distant provinces where life truly is hard.

Although Filipinos live in dire conditions by western standards, they are some of the happiest, most loving people on the face of the earth. They lack many things by our standards, but you would be amazed that you always see them smiling or singing.

They live a simple life and are a simple people. Yes, there are some sad stories, but they are a proud and resilient people. Search ways to help them if you wish, but stop judging people by your own standards.

Racism after all is the by product of misunderstanding and fearing any one who is different than you.

Ingat (Tagalog for Take care.)

Dwain

BTW, Amar, what would be more interesting to write about would be how "Amerasians" experience racisim from two vastly different cultures. Some Asian cultures still don't like mixing with whites or blacks, and many, many Americans and other westerners continue to harbor stereotyped beliefs about, and hold derisive views, of Asians (especially women). They used to call us "Eurasians" but I suppose that doesn't pack the same punch. The ripple effect of America's presence around the world that has caused this blending of races could benefit societies in the long term, but meanwhile, many Eurasians feel they are fish out of water -- outcasts in Asia, and not quite fully American.

Fingersfly, that is why I said "when in referring to a member of...". You have to read the whole sentence, not just seize on the part you want to react to. And I'll have to concur with you that we are now in a time when having pride in your country and military is considered impolite "superiority". Of course, if current media trends (and other factors) continue, that "superiority" and pride will soon be wiped out, no doubt pleasing a great many people such as yourself.

As an American citizen Sheila has every right to come here any time she wants. Her Dad should help her to document her belonging. Good luck to them both. Maybe lifting yourself up by your bootstraps is easier if two work together.

One would only have to TRAVEL to the Philipines to see what real POVERTY and desperation looks like. Getting off the plane at CLARK AB and then going into the city was worse than Pattiya in Thailand. I'm glad we were kicked out, the people will be better for it. The story is not just about who her father is, what color he is, but how we SCREWED most of the countries we colonized. It is so smug for AMERICANS to always think that we hold a HIGH MORAL ground, or that at least it's US buying sex than the Japanses raping. It's mindless and stupid, period. The story is about a young girls search for her ex GI father (how many war babies were left in England)who encounters RACISM in here own culture because of the COLOR OF HER SKIN. Now anyone with any common sense can see the comparisions that are drawn. No maybe not in AMERICA, where the world is seen through WHITE ROSE COLORED glasses. I hope that we end up with a BLACK MALE PRESIDENT or a WHITE WOMAN that most WHITE MEN hate. I bet a mixed ticket would be even more "Hillary"ious. The racist minds will have a field day with the "BOY" now running the "BIG HOUSE" and "SERVICING" everyone along the way. Imagine that: two groups that have been screwded by the same people now representing the free world. Only in America...

Amar,

Thanks for writting such Asain and American terrific story.You unvailed the American guys habits and treatments with poor Asain needy girls.Try to focus more facts about American activities over Asian or poor or undervelopment countriesand or/people.

So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others?

I see both sides of this story----is this young woman lucky to have found her father, or will he use her, and have no real feelings?

But, the comments about race was what really made me stop and look at the stupidity of remarks-that I can only take came from white people. All races are beautiful.....each in their own way.

So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others?

I see both sides of this story----is this young woman lucky to have found her father, or will he use her, and have no real feelings?

But, the comments about race was what really made me stop and look at the stupidity of remarks-that I can only take came from white people. All races are beautiful.....each in their own way.

So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others?

I see both sides of this story----is this young woman lucky to have found her father, or will he use her, and have no real feelings?

But, the comments about race was what really made me stop and look at the stupidity of remarks-that I can only take came from white people. All races are beautiful.....each in their own way.

So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others?

I see both sides of this story----is this young woman lucky to have found her father, or will he use her, and have no real feelings?

But, the comments about race was what really made me stop and look at the stupidity of remarks-that I can only take came from white people. All races are beautiful.....each in their own way.

Mexican refer to their country as Mexico, not the United States of Mexico, which is the official name of the country. Apparently Argentines refer to their country as Argentina, not the Argentine Republic. Calling ourselves Americans is not any different.

So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others?

I see both sides of this story----is this young woman lucky to have found her father, or will he use her, and have no real feelings?

But, the comments about race was what really made me stop and look at the stupidity of remarks-that I can only take came from white people. All races are beautiful.....each in their own way.

So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others?

I see both sides of this story----is this young woman lucky to have found her father, or will he use her, and have no real feelings?

But, the comments about race was what really made me stop and look at the stupidity of remarks-that I can only take came from white people. All races are beautiful.....each in their own way.

So many comments about how Filipinos cannot be racist, they are not white themselves. This is so stupid. Do you think only the ''lily white'' whites have the honor and high position to be racists? Cannot everyone be proud of his race--whatever it is? Are whites the only ones good enough to look down on others?

I see both sides of this story----is this young woman lucky to have found her father, or will he use her, and have no real feelings?

But, the comments about race was what really made me stop and look at the stupidity of remarks-that I can only take came from white people. All races are beautiful.....each in their own way.

I am currently in the United States Air Force and, as one of the "bottom feeders" Nash refers to, felt obligated to respond with some basic information about your Air Force.

There are currently 329,094 individuals on active duty Air Force. Of those:

100% of the officers (65,722) have at least a 4 year college degree...many have masters or doctorates

99.96% of the enlisted (263,372) have a high school diploma, and 73% of those have some college credits as they work toward a college degree

We live all over world, sometimes in very austere places away from our families, to carry out the orders that your president, on your behalf, gives us. We are proud to be able to defend your freedom and advance democratic principles on your behalf all over the world.

We are not perfect, but as an institution we strive hard to address thousands of personal problems that human beings find themselves dealing with every day. Since your military is a reflection of the American society at large, we also have our share of those with less than honorable intentions and those who find themselves in difficult situations to which they don't know how to respond.

We offer support systems and counseling opportunities to those who may have a tough time dealing with life's problems to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the type situations identified in this article.

We'll never be perfect but rest assured we are always working to learn from our mistakes and improve our lot in life.

Just curious, though. What kind of work do you do? What is your education level? What have you done for your country lately?

What a moving, poignant and sad story.
I wish that everyone would read this, both to become aware of what the rest of the world has to endure while we sit here in relative comfort, and to be reminded that you CAN overcome a tough start in life.
I applaud the organizations that are helping this young girl. They demonstrate true Christian charity.

Mike:
(By the same token, people also want success. People with white skins have, over the course of the past few centuries, been more successful than others. So people generally prefer to be white.)

Mike, you are seriously misinformed and delusional. By what measure have white skin people have been more successful than others. Do you realize that the Babylonian empire was created through advance Eastern African (Middle East) cultures? African American forced servitude (slavery) was responsible for emergence of America's power and might. My point is that all people have done something of importance and success of mankind. So spare me your eurocentric dismal view

If you want to donate, you can do it through Preda (www.preda.org) which is a group doing good work in Olongapo with the children of prostitutes. Shiela works there and the organization is run by Father Shay Cullen.

To donate, send a check to:

Columban Fathers,
St.Columban's Box 10, Omaha, NE 68056 0010
and make sure to write it for Shiela c/o Fr.Shay Cullen at Preda

OR:

Preda Foundation/Shiela
Account 171-2-17100011-9
Metro Bank, Subic Bay Freeport.Olongapo City
Philippines

Abandoned children are not African Americans only and bastards have all colors. The problem is that in non African communities they are the most victimized by racism. There is no secret about why. The standards in a world dominated culturally and economically by the west are that the more you are white the more beautful and smarter.
African civil right activists should think about those kids instead of demonstrating for the liberation of criminals. Hines Ward (a Steelers receiver) was born in a similar situation in Korea and had similars problems.
I think Africans need to do better than they are doing. They have the highest percentage of kids with no fathers at home. They should know that they are the most disliked people everywhere in the whole world even by people who call themselves members of religions of love and peace.
A people facing such situation need to stick together and act smarter. Many young Africans act angrily, carelessly, desperately or hopelessly which solve nothing.

Any person from Canada to Argentina could use the term "American" to describe their nationality but it wouldn't be correct. There is no country named America. For the US to claim it is egotistical and rightly raises the hackles of "Americans" from other countries. Probably why so many prefer to call us Yanks or gringos.

"I have only one problem with your country. Why you call yourself America?? I´m from Argentina and from America and hate that people from United States thinks that America is a country.
With that actitude the rest of the habitants of these continent can think that you want to expand.
Please think about it and change the name of the country. America is a continent.
Thank you please give me a opinion. "

The name of our country is the United States of America. People also say they are from the US, or from the USA, but ask us our nationality and we'll tell you they are 'American'. A word like 'Statesian' or 'Uniteder' doesn't roll off the tongue quite as smoothly as 'Argentinian' or 'American'. What would you suggest we use?

I am a former US Service member of African descent and I may have fathered a child in the Philippines. I am horrified at the thought of the life my child may have had to live. I have made an abortive (and unsuccessful) attempt to ascertain wether I, in fact, did father said child and to find the whereabouts of the mother.

I will try the link supplied in the blog, but I can be reached at buttermilk02@yahoo.com , if anyone can help.

As an American from the deep south, I really enjoy reading stories such as Sheila and Sam's. Those of you whom I see every day at work and in public. Those of you who are so self righteous lilly white and pure without shame or sin (political left and right). It gives the whole world a true picture of the hypocrites who live in the US. How do any of you know that Sam will not find the means to better himself as a result of his daughter finding him. Where is the redemption?

Remember it is the government you elect that create WAR and aggression around the world! As a result of your excess consumption, greed and war mongering ways, your children are now turning the guns on you! Shooting up your malls, your churches and your schools.

African Americans (AA) did not invent sex and they are not the only ones who have enjoyed it for pay for free or thru force. Also AA males are not the only ones through out history who have breed and abandon their children. Think of the millions mixed breed AA who were sold into slavery by their White slave owner fathers. Think of the rape that took place on those plantations for centuries. Anyway, what would one expect? Many of the founders of this country were released from the prisons of Europe by King Henry VIII and placed of ships with individuals persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Many of you need to point that high powered receptacle at yourselves. Learn your own history, American and otherwise. Remember, Rome was never truly conquered but, it eventually imploded under the weight of its own corruption and greed. Before any of you can truly condemn AA males particularly, you need to consider the character of you selves and your political leaders. Some of whom in the past have soiled the integrity of the White House Oval Office thru sexual adventures, rendezvous in bath room stalls and many of them just can't keep their hands off those young naive male congressional page interns.

Best of luck Sheila and Sam! Sheila you would be better off getting your life together and finding some where else to go besides the New Babylon !!!

Blacks take no responsibility for the kids they Father here in the USA. So it is not surprising they take none for other counties and other children. But it is very sad and i hope it works out!

As an American from the deep south, I really enjoy reading stories such as Sheila and Sam's. Those of you whom I see every day at work and in public. Those of you who are so self righteous lilly white and pure without shame or sin (political left and right). It gives the whole world a true picture of the hypocrites who live in the US. How do any of you know that Sam will not find the means to better himself as a result of his daughter finding him. Where is the redemption?

Remember it is the government you elect that create WAR and aggression around the world! As a result of your excess consumption, greed and war mongering ways, your children are now turning the guns on you! Shooting up your malls, your churches and your schools.

African Americans (AA) did not invent sex and they are not the only ones who have enjoyed it for pay for free or thru force. Also AA males are not the only ones through out history who have breed and abandon their children. Think of the millions mixed breed AA who were sold into slavery by their White slave owner fathers. Think of the rape that took place on those plantations for centuries. Anyway, what would one expect? Many of the founders of this country were released from the prisons of Europe by King Henry VIII and placed of ships with individuals persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Many of you need to point that high powered receptacle at yourselves. Learn your own history, American and otherwise. Remember, Rome was never truly conquered but, it eventually imploded under the weight of its own corruption and greed. Before any of you can truly condemn AA males particularly, you need to consider the character of you selves and your political leaders. Some of whom in the past have soiled the integrity of the White House Oval Office thru sexual adventures, rendezvous in bath room stalls and many of them just can't keep their hands off those young naive male congressional page interns.

Best of luck Sheila and Sam! Sheila you would be better off getting your life together and finding some where else to go besides the New Babylon !!!

The word "marine" is only capitalized when used as a proper noun as in United States Marine. It is not a proper noun when used alone.

Your view as to how the world SHOULD see the US is not necessarily how the world DOES see the US which is why articles like this are so educational. Your superior attitude is undoubtedly shared by many of your colleagues and is another reason why the US is viewed so negatively by the rest of the world.

I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard this story. While it's sad, it's also extremely common. When I worked in the Philippines, I handled the cases of several of these stories a day. Many times, the father was simply unknown -- this story above is rare because the mother knew the father's name.

Which also leads me to wonder whether he is indeed the father. I've had cases in which the mother (and the child, and even the man) thought that fatherhood was established, and DNA proved them wrong. For a child that, like this girl, longed to move to America, it was crushing. In a second, she loses her 'father' and her dream. It's not a speech I'd want to give again.

To Apostrophe: You didn't read very carefully. The American base that was closed near her town in 1992 wasn't Clark it was Subic, as you would have seen if you had bothered to check the links provided in the story about Olongapo. You should be more careful not to make factual errors when accusing others of doing so.

This regular column purports to show how the world sees America. So..."the world", if Amar Bakshi is to be believed, sees this serviceman as a metaphor for what the U.S. has done to other countries? Is that your point, Mr. Amar Bakshi?

No, the rest of the world knows full well that without U.S. servicemen, there would have been no tsunami rescue, no stopping the Serbian genocide against the Muslims, no liberating Kuwaiti Muslims from Saddam, no liberating of the P.I. from the Japanese, no saving South Korea from North Korea, no wrenching of Europe away from Hitler.

The term "Amerasian" is itself a politicized comment. It conflates race with nationality. See what Tiger Woods has said about his own background to see how ridiculous this can get.

Hillary Brown may see only the happy wonders and possibilities of this story, but viewing this story as the smear it was intended to be is also valid. That does not take away from the positive aspects of this girl's journey.

Mr. Bakshi, perhaps one day you could do a story on the untold heroics Americans have accomplished overseas instead of picking out anything that puts the U.S. and the military in the worst possible light, especially seeing as your column is titled "How the World Sees America".

Finally, when you refer to a member of America's fine Corps, the word "marine" is always capitalized. Semper Fi.

Interesting story. It has to be difficult growing up under such conditions. The race issue seems to be magnified by the moral choices of the parents and subsequent poverty. I'm sure the story wouldn't be the same if the father were an African American UN diplomat who met at Filipino diplomat at a wine and cheese and they sent her to some posh international school.

Why is it so hard to believe that other groups/countries in the world have issues of racial discrimination i.e. that one group can hate another over skin color? I think that is a reflection of our own ethnocentrism. It's ironic that in a country of immigrants, that we know so little about the rest of the world.

The blood of many peoples runs in my veins. Sheila is my sister, Sam is my brother.

I belong to Pax Christi,a worldwide organization that strives and prays for an end to violence and a rebirth of peace. S