To: ABC & the Producers of "Desperate Housewives":

We are writing to express concern and hurt about a racially-
discriminatory comment made in an episode of Desperate Housewives on
9/30/07. In a scene in which Susan was told by her gynecologist that
she might be hitting menopause, she replied, "Can I just check those
diplomas because I just want to make sure that they are not from
some med school in the Philippines. "

As members and allies of the Filipino American community, we are
writing to inform and let you know that this type of derogatory
remark was discriminatory and hurtful, and such a comment was not
necessary to maintain any humor in the show. Additionally, a
statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely
unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and
Filipino Americans in the medical field. Filipinos are the second
largest immigrant population in the United States, with many
entering the U.S. (and successfully passing their U.S. licensing
boards!) as doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. In fact, the
Philippines produces more U.S. nurses than any other country in the
world. So, to belittle the education, experience, or value of
Filipino Americans in health care is extremely disrespectful and
simply ignorant. Many of the hospitals in major metropolitan areas
of the U.S. (and the world) would not be able to operate without its
Filipino and Filipino American staff members.

As Filipino Americans and allies, we band together to ensure that
this type of hateful message should not be allowed to continue on
our television and radio airwaves. Given the recent amounts of media
attention that has been given to Michael Richards (against African
Americans), Isaiah Washington (against gays), and Rosie O'Donnell
(against Asian/ Chinese Americans), it is ridiculous that this type
of hateful speech made it through various screenwriters, the show's
producers, the show's actors, and ABC itself.

We demand a public apology to the Filipino American community, and
we demand the episode be edited to remove the ignorant and racist
remark. We will not allow hateful messages against our community (or
any other oppressed community) to continue.

Sincerely,

Maybe she should have said the congo.  You know, my race is misaligned so much that is seems like a national sport.  Yet, I've come to learn that not every battle is worth fighting, mainly because it is an insignificant scuffle that only makes you a whiner a makes people cold to your situation.  I saw the episode and believe me, that quick line was not what people were focused on. 

well said ABEPAGTAMA. i hope this draws more attention from the network and in a larger scale. abc should do more than a simple apology. as suggested from a lawmaker in the philippines, desperate housewives should make an episode to correct this racial slur.

she should have said Granada.