Status Updates From Imagined Communities: Refle...

No Tagalog, born in this Tagalog archipelago, shall exalt any person above the rest because of his race or the colour of his skin; fair, dark, rich, poor, educated and ignorant – all are completely equal, and should be in one loób (inward spirit). There may be differences in education, wealth, or appearance, but never in essential nature and ability to serve a cause. (Constitution of the Republic of Katagalugan)

The dreams of racism actually have their origin in ideologies of class rather than in those of nation: above all in claims to divinity among rulers and to 'blue' or 'white' blood and 'breeding' among aristocracy.

The logic here is: 1. I will be dead before I have penetrated them. 2. My power is such that they have had to learn my language. 3. But this means that my privacy has been penetrated. Terming them 'gooks' is small revenge.

Rating this book would be strange as despite it not being the author’s original intention, this book has become an academic text and no wonder! While some parts were clearly out of my depth (my own skill issue!), i appreciated the concepts that were explained here, especially the one about of language and literacy played a huge part in the building of the “national identity” of so many communities.