Postcolonial Configurations: Dictatorship, the Racial Cold War, and Filipino America

Josen Masangkay Diaz examines how the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship and US policies during the Cold War shaped the relationship between "Filipino" and "America," creating a gendered and racialized Filipino American subject. She analyzes state programs for military operations, labor and immigration reform, and development and modernization plans to show how anticommunist liberalism and authoritarianism shaped the visibility and recognition of new forms of Filipino subjectivity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his book Postcolonial Configurations, Josen Masangkay Diaz delves into the intricate tapestry of Filipino America, exploring the profound impact of dictatorship, coloniality, and subjectivity on its formation. Through a meticulous examination of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship and the United States' policies during the Cold War, Diaz uncovers the intricate ways in which these forces shaped the relationship between "Filipino" and "America." This relationship, in turn, played a pivotal role in the creation of a gendered and racialized Filipino American subject.

To unravel this complex narrative, Diaz employs a multi-faceted approach, analyzing a range of Philippine-US state programs encompassing military operations, labor and immigration reform, and development and modernization plans. By scrutinizing these programs, she sheds light on the interplay between anticommunist liberalism and authoritarianism, which profoundly shaped the visibility and recognition of new forms of Filipino subjectivity.

Diaz's analysis takes us on a journey through the rise of various social formations that emerged under the Marcos regime and the United States' liberal reform programs. From the transnational fusion of Filipino and US culture and the experiences of immigrant returnees to the emergence of the New Filipina woman and the humanitarian English teacher, she offers a rich tapestry of perspectives that challenge the official state records and reconceptualize the meanings of Filipino America during the Cold War.

Through a meticulous examination of literature, film, periodicals, and other cultural texts, Diaz juxtaposes these cultural expressions against the official state records, offering a fresh and nuanced understanding of Filipino America during this pivotal period. His work not only sheds light on the historical complexities but also provides a valuable lens through which to examine the ongoing struggles and triumphs of the Filipino American community.

In conclusion, Postcolonial Configurations is a groundbreaking work that offers a profound exploration of the complex dynamics that shaped Filipino America during the Cold War. Through Josen Masangkay Diaz's meticulous scholarship and innovative approach, he provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this important historical era. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of culture, history, and identity, and its insights will continue to resonate for generations to come.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019350