Serving Admiral's Row: The Making of Filipino Navy Stewards and Community in Hampton Roads Virginia During the Twentieth Century.

The article focuses on the historical context and significance of the Filipino community in Hampton Roads, Virginia, particularly in relation to the U.S. Navy and its imperial ambitions in the early twentieth century. It highlights Senator William Proxmire's 1973 call to end the military's use of Filipino stewards, who made up a significant portion of the navy's domestic labor force, particularly in the steward system, which was characterized by a rigid caste structure. The essay explores how the establishment of Naval Station Norfolk and the demand for domestic labor on "Admiral's Row" contributed to the growth of a large Filipino community in the region, linking their experiences to broader themes of U.S. imperialism, racial management, and the evolution of Filipino identity in America. The article also discusses the cultural organizations that emerged from this community and their ongoing contributions to the local culture. [Extracted from the article]