Negotiation of 1.5 and Second Generation Filipino Canadian Identity: Language, Internalized Racial Oppression and Ethnic Identity


Kim Lynette Abella, York University

Feelings of belonging within racial and ethnic communities can come with complicated, sometimes ambivalent sentiments that are influenced by overarching structures (e.g. whiteness, internalized racism, and colonialism) that affect one’s connectedness to their racial or ethnic identity. This presentation draws from findings of my MA thesis, which explores the dis/connection and belonging within Filipino communities in Canada. Focusing on 1.5 and second generation Filipino Canadians, I employ a theoretical framework using a transnational feminist lens, integrating the concepts of internalized racial oppression (IRO) (Pyke, 2010), and emotional transnationalism (Wolf, 1997) to examine their experiences growing up in Canada through qualitative semi-structured interviewing. This approach takes into consideration global processes and transcends borders in order to better understand the interconnected characteristic of subjectivity formation. This study closely aligns with the subject of this session, which explores the different feelings of dis/association, dis/connection, liminality, and ambivalence to varying degrees in relation to ethnic and racial ties. This work underscores that ethnic identity is a dynamic, evolving process, especially during the pivotal years of young adulthood. It focuses particularly on the nuanced identity and experiences of Filipino Canadians, contributing to the growing literature on Filipino Canadians, especially of later generations. Through qualitative interviews, this study explores how Filipino Canadian young adults negotiate their ethnic identity, encompassing their perceptions of Filipino identity in Canada, feelings of liminality, and the authenticity of their ethnic identity. I argue that heritage language and internalized racial oppression significantly impact the authenticity of laying claim to a Filipino identity, influenced by both internal and external pressures. This work underscores the agency required to navigate and shape the negotiation of Filipino identity in the face of such pressures. I ask the research questions: “ how do Filipino Canadian young adults negotiate their ethnic identity?” and “ what factors and expectations influence the level of connectedness of these young adults to their heritage? ” Some conclusions from this study reflected that heritage language proficiency was the most common factor for participants’ feelings of disconnection from their Filipino identities. The notably low levels of heritage language retention among 1.5 and second generation Filipino Canadians are influenced not only by opportunities to learn their heritage language(s), but also the internal motivations and the ambivalent feelings associated with Filipino heritage. This study examines the relationship between language and ethnicity through the influences of IRO and finds that although IRO plays a significant role in their ambivalent feelings, these Filipino Canadians desire a sense of belonging among coethnics. Some commonalities among participants reveals that negative experiences with Filipinos led to a stigma towards their coethnic community resulting in self-isolation and an expressed dislike for Filipinos by attributing negative characteristics to the culture and community. Additionally, the reinforcement of gender dynamics by family members (especially mothers) also suggests the internalization of gendered racial oppression. Participants would engage in intraethnic othering by distinguishing themselves from those who appeared to be ‘more Filipino’ than them (predicated on the stigmatization of being Filipino) yet simultaneously desired to be included and recognized as Filipino. Many participants minimized their ethnic identity to fit into homogenized environments, evade additional discrimination, or regain opportunities within structures of racism. Experiences with racism affected their perception of themselves and their image of Filipinos as well as structured their interactions (i.e. through intraethnic othering). Ultimately, stories shared by participants emphasize the work and emotional resilience involved in forging their own identities while others have different conceptions and expectations of what being “Filipino enough” looks like.

This paper will be presented at the following session: