Colonial Mentality : let us overview
By LIENROSE
@LIENROSE (910)
Philippines
September 7, 2010 1:41am CST
The Philippine was a slave of three colonial masters; the United States , Japan and Spain . Nevertheless, the Chinese dominated the retail trade even before the Spaniard time.
Many Filipinos thought that the coming of the Americans was a great blessing under the American regime. But the tremendous growth of factories in the United States at that time created problems such as where to sell their surplus factory products and where to get their raw materials. And to solve these, United States colonized territories like the Philippines . US set up free trade thus all Americans goods in unlimited quantities entered the Philippines free of trade and thus the beginning of foreigners controlling the economy from production to marketing. It appears that colonial mentality still infused in the minds and actions of many Filipinos. Such attitude is clearly counter-productive as far as Philippine economy is concerned. Pride and preference for foreign goods, especially Americans products are still strong in the consumer behavior in the Philippines .
Now, what is your perception of colonial mentality in the Philippines?
Is it good or bad?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@juneramir (334)
• Philippines
7 Sep 10
The Philippines has operated for a half-a-century almost as an orphan still looking toward its foster parent, the same parent that exploited and abused it, for guidance and nurturing. Every president has been criticized, some more than others, of being a tool of the US. Even average Filipinos have felt without question that the hand of the US influenced elections, economic progress and social stability.
The other side of that perception is that the Philippines depends economically on the US. That was true 20 years ago and it was true by the choice, from Philippine government policy to average Filipino economic behavior. We bought American goods because they were“better.” Local manufacturers were afraid to compete with American imported goods. Filipinos laughed at products carrying the “Buy Filipino” slogan. What other nation on the face of the earth would carry as common wisdom the idea that “When America sneezes, the country catches cold?” And the sad fact is that far too many Filipinos still believe that to be true.
The common thought is that the Philippines has a love-hate relation with the US, and that may be true. The problem is that we need to have a non-emotional relationship as we do with the other 190 other global nations.
Maybe we need to look at the reality of the US to understand how great the Philippines is, and why the US should only be one of many players for the Philippines and not a role model.
Have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@greenpeas (998)
• Philippines
8 Sep 10
As long as our people dont feel a true sense of patriotism for their country, then colonial mentality will linger.
