Category Archives: Race Relations

Beauty, Diversity, International, Politics, Race Relations

MORE THAN A DOZEN COUNTRIES BOYCOTTING THIS YEAR’S MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT

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imageLAS VEGAS, NEVADA  (The Adobo Chronicles) – It’s payback time for Donald Trump!

When the 2015 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant unfolds at the Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas on December 20, there will be fewer contestants and none of the traditional top contenders and title holders. It is the biggest boycott of the pageant, owned by the real estate mogul.

It’s all because of Trump’s rhetoric since launching his campaign to become the Republican nominee for president of the United States.  He had bashed Mexicans for being criminals and rapists, criticized the Chinese for tourism births (‘anchor babies’), made insensitive remarks about the Ebola crisis in West Africa, and touted the superiority of the white race over colored people.

Among the Latin countries boycotting the pageant in solidarity with Mexico are Panama, Costa Rica, Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia — all perennial top ten finalists or title holders in the prestigious international beauty contest. Miss China has cancelled her trip to Las Vegas, as has Miss Japan, who is half black.  Countries in West Africa have also indicated they will not send their representatives to Las Vegas.

As of presstime, it wasn’t clear whether Miss Philippines will compete in this year’s pageant, although for a different reason.

Earlier reports indicate that a candidate for Philippine president, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, has asked the Philippines to withdraw the candidacy of Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, who was born in Germany.  Duterte is a known ‘birther’ and has questioned the candidacy of Senator Grace Poe, a foundling, whom the mayor says is ineligible to run for president because she is not a natural-born citizen.

The 2015 Miss Universe Pageant will be aired on Fox Channel.  This, after NBC and Univision severed their ties with Trump over his remarks on Mexicans.

Government, Law Enforcement, Politics, Race Relations

TEXAS TO BUILD IMMIGRATION WALL AROUND ITS ENTIRE PERIMETER

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Texas soon to be
Texas soon to be “The Walled State”

LAREDO, Texas (The Adobo Chronicles) – Emboldened by the recent ruling of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court which upheld a lower court decision blocking the implementation of a series of President Obama’s executive orders on immigration, Texas today announced that it will build a wall around the state’s entire perimeter.

A three-judge panel ruled against the Obama administration on a 2-1 vote in Texas v. United States, upholding a lower court’s injunction against two programs. Obama created one of the programs, called Deferred Action for Parents of Americans, or DAPA, and expanded another, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA in a unilateral effort to reshape the U.S. immigration system after the 2014 midterm elections.

Governor Greg Abbott said that the “great wall” will not only prevent Mexicans from illegally crossing the border but also keep undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. out of the Lone Star state. “This will mean millions of dollars in savings on the part of the state government which otherwise would be spent on providing services to undocumented immigrants, including health insurance, food stamps and and housing,” Abbott said.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he fully supports the Texas move and promised to donate $1 Billion of his own money to help in the building of the great wall. He says all he wants in return are giant billboards along the wall with the message: “Built through the generosity of Donald Trump.”

Meanwhile, the Obama administration says it will appeal the Circuit Court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Race Relations, Tourism, Travel

HAWAII’S “CHINAMAN’S HAT” TO BE RENAMED “PINOY SALAKOT”

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Mokoli'i
Mokoli’i

HONOLULU, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles) – Hawaii’s state legislature today unanimously approved a bill renaming the famed “Chinaman’s Hat” on Oahu to “Pinoy  Salakot.” The measure is expected to be immediately signed by Governor David Ige.

“Chinaman’s Hat” or Mokoliʻi, is a 12.5-acre basalt islet in Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaii. Mokoliʻi is part of Kualoa Regional Park and located 1⁄3 mile  offshore of Kualoa Point, Oahu.

Many Asian American groups have long protested the use of the name “Chinaman’s Hat” because it is a derogatory term that used to refer to Chinese railroad workers in America.

After years of searching for a replacement name, the state legislature finally found one that is most appropriate and is not derogatory.  In fact, it is a term that elicits great pride among Filipinos, especially those living on the islands.

Henceforth, the island will be named “Pinoy Salakot.”image

“Salakot” is an indigenous wide-brimmed conical  hat used by Filipinos for centuries and even up to this day. It comes in different variations and is usually made from rattan or dried leaves of local trees.

The “salakot” closely resembles Mokoli’i.