On Monday, Oct. 9 the Little Manila Center in downtown Stockton was vandalized and the historic photos on the windows that bore the words “Community, Culture, Empowerment, Arts, History and Heritage” were ripped off. Racist words like “brainwashed bigots” and “white property” were written on the windows with white ink.
By Thursday, Oct. 12, most of the written was taken off.
The first people to find the center in this state were the center’s youth dance students according to the Little Manila Center’s website.
“I feel very angry because that’s just so wrong. I know it’s not said directly to the people but having it written sends the message ore strongly. I hate that this nation is now being taken over by the white supremacy and minorities are feeling the need to hide. This country was founded by minorities in the first place,” said Jacqueline Dominguez, a Delta student. “I think whoever did it wants us to run away and hide but we’re not going down without a fight. This is my country too and I will stand for what I believe it.”
October is also Filipino American History Month.
According to littlemanila.org, in the 1920s and 1930s, people of color were not welcome north of Main St. and signs with the words “Positively no Filipinos allowed” were displayed openly.
It was also illegal for Filipino men to marry white women in California.
This incident and remembering their history only reminded the center of the work that they have done for the community.
The center has been running for three years to celebrate the area’s rich Filipino history.
The goal is to educate residents about the contributions immigrants have made to the economy and the cultural heritage they have brought to the community.
“Through the Little Manila After School Program and US History program, we teach ethnic studies to high schoolers,” according the Little Manila Board of Directors. “Our advocacy helped Stockton Unified School District to adopt Ethnic studies at our high schools just this year. Our Little Manila Dance Collective and Kulintang Academy teaches the art and culture of the Philippines to new generations of young people seeking identity and a sense of belonging to our roots.”
Despite the vandalism, the Little Manila Foundation and the Little Manila Center will continue to be a space for understanding and love, while bringing together diverse communities, according to the Little Manila Board of Director.
