What immigrant privilege means to me

I’m a first-generation immigrant and came from the Philippines as a sixth grader. I was in tears when we left—so devastated to leave my Lola (grandma), my five-month old niece, cousins, friends, my home. And when we arrived in the United States, my first year felt like a living hell. Kids made fun of me for being a FOB (fresh off the boat), for not knowing how to play baseball, for wearing strange clothes…. I could go on and on. For the most part, I overcame these struggles and have been living a fulfilling life, though with its share of ups and downs. Yes, the so-called American Dream (but that’s not what this story is about).

My mom passed away during the winter holidays in 2019 so at this time of year, I think about her often. I’ve been hanging out with my dad quite a bit and love hearing his stories about our past, especially our dangerously adventurous lives prior to coming to America.?

There’s a common perception that all immigrants come to the US to escape their miserable lives and find new, better opportunities here—but that’s not always the case.

I had a great upbringing in the Philippines. Although my family came from a third-world country, my dad was a high-level government official, so we lived well. We weren’t crazy, rich Filipinos by any means, but we lived in beautiful homes, always had a Yaya (live-in nanny) and a staff to clean the house, cook every meal, hand wash our clothes, and iron everything (washing machines and dryers were a rare commodity). We even had a full-time driver.

Leaving the Philippines

Our main reason for moving wasn’t financial—it was because our lives were in danger. The People Power Revolution was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines—mostly in Metro Manila (where we lived)—in 1986. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. The revolution led to the departure of long-time dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the end of a 20-year dictatorship, and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines. It was an empowering time for my country.

After Marcos’ departure, my father was assigned to work for the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) which was a quasi-judicial government agency whose primary mandate was to recover the massive wealth accumulated by Marcos, his family, relatives, and close associates, whether located in the Philippines or abroad. It was created by the Philippines’s first female President —Corazón Aquino shortly after she was sworn in as President in the aftermath of the 1986 People Power revolution.

My dad was tasked with investigating cases of corruption and successfully infiltrated and arrested many of Marcos’ cronies. He quickly became a hero (one newspaper even depicted him on the cover as Rambo, but from his stories, I imagine him more as a Jack Bauer). But, that heroism also spawned a growing list of enemies. He became a target and attempts were made to kill my dad. One night at a party, someone tried to shoot him but wounded my mom instead. Thankfully the bullet only ‘grazed’ her head. But that’s when my mom said, “Let’s move to America.” Many of her siblings had already been living in the U.S. for years, so they were able to sponsor our entire family.

When my family immigrated to America (all seven of us—parents and five kids) although we didn’t have the riches we once had (we came with two “Balikbayan boxes” each), we had each other. I was raised with an abundance of love, support, passion, and drive—and that was the context and substance of the very beginning stages of my immigrant privilege.

A closer look at immigrant privilege

While the concept of “privilege” has often been associated with White privilege—throughout my life, I’ve acknowledged the unique advantages of being an immigrant. Immigrant privilege doesn’t negate the challenges and obstacles faced by those who leave their homelands in search of a better life. Instead, it sheds light on the aspects of life where immigrants may have an advantage compared to our non-immigrant counterparts.

One key aspect of immigrant privilege lies in the diverse perspectives and cultural richness that we bring to our communities, creating an environment where individuals can learn from one another, breaking down stereotypes, and fostering a deeper understanding of the world.

When I was in high school, I wanted to begin cultivating diversity around me since that was my comfort zone. I noticed that the most popular clubs and the cheerleading team were joined mostly by White students, so I started a hip hop club and encouraged dancers across cultures to participate. We called ourselves “First Generation” and we were an all-female dance team with students from the Philippines, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Japan, China—and America of course! That small club—now known as the award-winning Shorecrest Hip Hop Dance Team —will be celebrating its 30th year and has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of students.?

Many immigrants also possess a unique resilience and determination, having overcome significant hurdles to build new lives. My parents came to the States in their forties and had to start all over again. They didn’t have nursing or engineering degrees, which are easily transferable across the globe. My mom was a drama teacher at a university back home and my dad had his high-level government job, but when they got here the best they could do was to get entry-level retail and medical jobs. But they kept their heads down and worked hard to give us a better life and help pay for college.

We also benefited from enhanced global awareness. Having experienced life in different cultural contexts made us more adaptable and open-minded. Language skills are another aspect of immigrant privilege. Bilingual and multilingual individuals can navigate a world of opportunities, both socially and professionally. The ability to communicate in multiple languages opens doors to a broader network, facilitating cultural exchange and understanding.

Personally, what immigrant privilege really meant to me was constant family support—which gave me so much confidence—along with my parents’ tenacity, strong work ethic, and drive to succeed. These character traits were ingrained in me from a young age and helped me to strive for personal and professional excellence.?

Immigrant privilege is not universal

I realize that immigrant privilege is not universal. Factors such as race, socioeconomic background, and immigration status can significantly impact the extent to which an individual experiences these advantages. And again, the term shouldn’t diminish the struggles faced by immigrants, including discrimination, xenophobia, and the overwhelming challenges associated with assimilation.

To me, recognizing immigrant privilege is about acknowledging the unique strengths and perspectives that immigrants bring to their adopted homes. Embracing diversity and understanding the nuances of privilege within immigrant communities can lead to more inclusive societies, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the tapestry of the human experience.