Our lives as Pilipinos and Pilipino Americans are unique. No other culture shares our exact experiences. maganda serves to record our cultural history—our thought, opinions and emotions—because it is important and must be shared and celebrated. maganda exists not only as a creative outlet for writers, poets and artists, but as a tool for empowerment. Beyond "art for art's sake," we confront issues that affect our lives as a marginalized group in the United States. maganda allow us to express our joy, fear, frustration, sadness, anger, despair and love so that Pilipinos and non-Pilipinos alike can partake of our lives and become informed, entertained and inspired.

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Our Two Worlds can meet on My Hill—doesn't matter what Color you are, or if you are Pinay, Bakla or Mestizo. We are writing For a Sister, Para Kay Kuya, For My Lola, for every Diva and for anyone who wants to share in This Place We Call Home.

The focus of this maganda issue is unity. Unity is an elusive concept for most of us, however it is something that we strive for. Often, we think that we must overlook or ignore our differences in order to come together in alliance. When we form coalitions with each other, we think that "sameness" is a prerequisite. It is true that fixation on our differences will form gaps between us. But we can use our similarities as a basis for alliances and also recognize, accept and celebrate our differences. There are so many "isms" that are caused by differences in race, class, gender, sexuality, age, culture, education, language, religion, skin color, etc., etc.

We may come together as Pilipino Americans, but how many times have other Pilipinos been alienated because they were called names like "fob", "sell-out", "fag", or "dyke"? Are we really acting in solidarity when men and women, rich and poor, light-skinned and dark-skinned are not being treated equally? We share a common oppression with all other people of color—Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Chicanos and Latinos and yet our differences prevent us from forming true and lasting coalitions with them.

We share the same roots as our parents, grandparents and children, but the generation gap causes misunderstanding, bitterness and anger within our families. There are many commonalties which can act as the unifying force between all these groups, but our differences cannot be ignored.

To unite, we need to confront the internalized stereotypes, prejudices and opinions we have about each other and understand how they have been constructed, perpetuated and reinforced. Then we must challenge these predispositions and learn that the differences between us are not bad. Women are not inferior. Dark skin is not inferior. Queer is not evil. Poor is not unworthy.

Clearly, sharing a common oppression alone will not overcome the forces that drive us apart. But once we begin to understand, accept and appreciate our diversity, we will begin the process of kaisahan—for our families and for our communities.

Within this issue, you will find prose, fiction, articles, poetry and art which portray our ideas and feelings as Pilipinos and Pilipino-Americans. Although we cover issues concerning the disunity and inequality in and among education, institutions, women, mestizos, the queer community and family relations, we are unable to include issues such as economic class inequality, religious/cultural prejudices and segregation among all people of color. There are many issues which still need further discussion, but we hope that this issue will provoke thought, inspiration and active dialogue toward bridging some of our gaps. We invite you to maganda #6.

Claudine del Rosario