*sigh*
This is actually a very common occurrence for Polynesians actually. It stems from the fact that a lot Polynesians think that because they grow up around black people/aren’t white it gives them the same rights to do things from black culture. But it’s funny (not really) because the amount of anti-blackness in our community is pretty high and ugly.
This is so true, glad someone is speaking on it!
While Pacific Islanders are appropriating hip hop and AAVE, we also have colorism in our communities.
Our relatives in Papua New Guinea are going through a genocide and one of the reasons that issue is marginalized is because of their dark skin. All of Melanesia is constantly marginalized in the Pacific and it’s due to anti-blackness.
Tag: hot topics
what do you think of race relations between the polynesian races? e.g. get along etc.
Oooo.. this one is a bit tricky. Do you mean Polynesia? or do you mean the South Pacific as a whole?
If you’re talking about just the Polynesian islands and the race relations between all of them, then I’m going to preface this by saying: I am eighteen years old, and living in America. My experiences/opinions are solely based off what I’ve heard/lived/accounts from my relatives. So you’ll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt because I do not speak for my whole community. What I experience/face is not the same as a Polynesian who lives in Cali, Texas, Hawai’i, NYC, Tonga, Samoa, etc. There might be similarities, but ultimately I do not speak for everyone in my community, so please be aware of this.
That being said: Where I am living, SLC, UT – the Polynesians are pretty mellow out here. There are a lot of Tongan/Samoan relationships/marriages, and for the most part, you won’t get shot if you claim a certain island in most areas. keep in mind I said: most areas. Of course, you’ll get the occasional dickhead who’ll scream out “MATE MA’A TONGA!!!” and won’t hang out with Samoans or vice versa – but for the most part, Polynesians here in UT don’t typically have strong feelings towards each other. I will say though, I haven’t met many Hawaiians/Maoris/Tokelauns/Niueans/etc. here though. That’s not to say they aren’t living here in UT, just that I haven’t met any. The Polynesian community here is pretty Tongan/Samoan based (and the whole lot of them are Mormon. Many Polynesians move here from the islands because of the SLC temple). Granted, the Polynesian community here in UT can be fake as hell, and some of the biggest haters, but that’s a different question for a different time.
Although I will say this: Hawaiians typically get the bottom of the food chain. I know a lot of Polynesians here in UT who don’t see the importance or significance of Hawaiian culture. Many of which say stupid shit like, “their culture is dead. why even bother?” or “why are you talking about Mauna Kea? You know the Hawaiians made that up right?” (those are real quotes from people btw) and it’s so ugly. It is not the fault of the Kanka Maoli that their culture is erased/their population is so low – that is the fault of the United States. They are not making up the importance of Mauna Kea or their indigenous tales of the gods and goddesses before the White Man stepped on the land – and actually a lot of the Hawaiians (and Polynesian islands) science was more advanced than the White Man. But it was the White Man who couldn’t understand the folklore/language of the indigenous people and in turn belittled the Hawaiians and regarded them as heathen savages who needed “saving”.
But it’s so hypocritical too because when people do “Luau themed parties” the first dances that come to mind are the Hawaiian hulas. And everyone loves the Hawaiian hulas. So it’s as if Hawaiian culture is only acceptable when it’s available for profit, it’s disgusting.
Another thing that comes along with being Hawaiian/afakasi (afakasi means half polynesian half another race) is this factor of “are you Polynesian enough?” as if the blood running through ones body isn’t enough of a factor. I will fully admit, I have struggled with this many times. I’ve openly said out loud, “but they didn’t even grow up with the culture, they aren’t really Polynesian” or “but they are just so… white” or “they don’t look Polynesian” or “they were adopted/their Polynesian parents passed away, they don’t fully understand what it means to be Polynesian” as if there’s a quota to say who is and who isn’t Polynesian. and honestly it’s shameful that it’s such a big thing in our community. I know for a fact that afakasi/Hawaiian kids/people are the ones who suffer the most in our communities on being questioned at the validity of their Polynesian-ness and it’s sad and needs to change. (my intention is not to group afakasi people and Hawaiians together. what i’m trying to say with the Hawaiians is the Polynesian community tends to roll their eyes and say “really? are you sure you’re Hawaiian?” when someone claims their Hawaiian roots)
As far as what I’ve heard from outside of UT? California Polynesians from what I understand are very harsh when it comes to the Samoan/Tongan stuff. I texted my sis iam2pai about this, and this is what she wanted me to tell you:
“Bay Area I feel is both (Tongan and Samoan) because there is a strong Tongan community especially in EPA, Redwood City, Union City etc . I can’t speak for NorCal Polys because I don’t know how it truly is out there. For SoCal Polys its predominantly Samoan especially all of LA with some populated Tongans in each county like OC, LA, IE, SD etc. This doesn’t apply to all Polys coming from Southern California saying Samoans and Tongans hate each other! It’s just where I grew up and how I did, it wasn’t common to always be kicking it with Tongans, we DEFINITELY had some issues growing up. Especially in LA where gang life is so common the rivalry between races were like no other. Each city has a more populated race like Inglewood is known for Tongans even though there are Samoans too, Compton, Carson, Long Beach is just known to have more Samoans than ever. It’s where everyone starts when they come from the islands basically. But often we hear this Tongan gang hit up a Samoan function or the other way around. But from my perspective that was just what it was. I feel like now things kind of simmered down since now there are a lot of samoan/ Tongan couples and we are trying to put everything in the past. But there are a few who hold on that grudge. Me moving to Utah where there are hella Tongans you learn to be cool and love them because they are cool as well! Nations aside, we come from same part of the ocean.”
halafihi yungethnic and kawahineaihonua are also great people to ask about what it’s like being a Polynesian in California since they all live there.
As far as talking about outside the United States. I couldn’t really tell you. poly–nesian or whatafairy or any of my other Maori followers/NZ followers could probably tell you a lot about how it’s like in NZ. But I don’t wanna step on toes and assume.
I know for a fact though, that in Tonga right now, they have a huge ass issue with the Chinese. The way my uncle has explained it to me, Tongans are more concerned with just being better than Samoans, rather than trying to kill them off (which is a huge misconception). It’s more of a competition of which island is better. Which, that’s his point of view, I’m sure there are Tongans who hate Samoans and want to kill them – but with how China is acting in Tonga, the Tongan and Samoan feud is a non-issue I’d say.
But yeah! Sorry for the long ass read. To my Polynesian followers who have anything to add, please do add in! I’d love to make this a discussion!! And let me know if anything I said doesn’t sit tight with y’all, I’m totally willing to hear thoughts and opinions and what not!
there should be a day where pacific islanders post selfies and spread positivity but I don’t know enough on here :(
Hello anon!
Do not worry my friend, you are not alone in this. There are actually many P.I people on this website who are actually really in favor of this idea. And there is actually many people who want to work together on doing something for our community.
That being said, for me personally (and I know many others on here as well, but I can only speak for myself) we do not wish to copy #blackout. I’ve said this before, and I think I’ll keep saying it until the end of time. I will not support something that is a carbon copy of #blackout. If the P.I community were to do something, we’d have to make up our own movement. Many others have made the argument of “but it’s not anti-black if we copy #blackout! Look at how many other movements like #asianinvasion worked out! We’re fine!” and I’m here to tell you right now, #asianinvasion and any other copied version of #blackout are anti-black and are lousy but also lazy ideas.
you might not have seen it personally, but I did, #asianinvasion was a failure. while people participated, there was a large portion of the SJ community were hugely against it and wrote post after post about how wrong it was to copy the #blackout movement. I do not wish to see my P.I community put in such a harsh light. My culture is too beautiful, vibrant, and I respect it too much to copy another communities movement. Not to mention, putting the whole South Pacific into one day takes a lot of planning, and we don’t all suffer from the same issues.
Some of the reasons why #blackout is so great for the black community is because they all suffer from the same issues. The P.I community does not have this issue. We are all different, even though there are similarities. What a Marshallese child faces, is not the same as what a Tongan child faces. What a afakasi (whatever they may be, half white/Polynesian half Fijian/Black half whatever) child faces, is not the same as what a full blooded Guamanian faces. We (as a community) would have to figure out a way to combat this. Not to mention, planning is what made #blackout such a huge success. These things don’t just happen over night, or even a week. We’d need a community to do this.
And I’m going to say this, and it’s been said before, but typically when people talk about Pacific Islanders, they only think of Polynesia. They don’t think about Melanesia, or Micronesia. So how do we make this about the South Pacific as a whole, and make sure not to erase the identities of those who aren’t Polynesian? How do we represent all the South Pacific, when the South Pacific is HUGE? How do we do that without erasing anyones identity?
I’ve talked to some people, and some people have recommended doing a blog first. Making a blog that will make sure to have the whole P.I community aware of each other, but also make other communities aware of who we are. Then make a movement from there. I know for thisisnotfilipinx they have a day on the 12th of every month (it’s their independence day) where they post selfies (@i=kool-kat please correct me if I’m wrong about this) and it’s recognized by other communities. We as a P.I community need to start small then build from there.
THAT BEING SAID: To those I have talked to about this idea. I’m going to be writing a GroupMe post here in a little bit. Anon, I’m sure you’d love to get in on this. But I’m planning (have been planning, it’s been on hold) on creating a GroupMe chat room where we can talk about planning a pacific day, because I know many are interested. But the GroupMe chat room will also be a safe space for P.I’s to just talk to each other (even though, the majority of people who have emailed me about being the GroupMe are Polynesian). If you’d like to get in on this action, let me know anon.
Sorry for the hella long response.. I’ve just been aching to write my feelings about those who have ideas similar to #blackout. I really do love the idea, I really do. I love my culture, and I’d love nothing more than to represent it. But I would like to represent it in a way that’s not copying other movements, and properly represents the South Pacific as a whole and it’s going to take more than a few tries.
Thank you for your time. xx
My issue with Pacific Pride
I feel like it’s a piggyback off of Blackout. It didn’t feel right for me to reblog the info on it to this blog because I didn’t fully support it. It was co-opting Blackout which is a powerful movement that deserves to stand on its own without other POC groups trying to create a spinoff of it.
Maybe we should all come together and address the problems that Pacific Islanders share and creating our own original movement that is no way co-opting.
The thought of a pasifika movement sounds absolutely amazing. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Beauty of Oceania 