Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Pidgin Pride = Racism?

I've noticed a lot of "island pride" on the UU forum from some of our native Hawaiian friends. So much pride, in fact, that it seemed to border on elitism. It's harmless enough, I guess. But it may be a symptom of something much bigger and darker. There's a whole movement to separate Hawaii from the Mainland. Some of this hatred has manifested in to violence against tourist.

I don't believe for a second that our Hawaiian brothers on UU condone this type of behavior. I hope that the UU members will continue to use the forum to bridge the gaps over our differences. And perhaps sites like UU will help overcome those who are too short-sited to see past the islands and over the ocean to the rest of us.

9 comments:

Grumpy Coyote said...

Whooboy - complex issue. Here's my .02...

It's backlash for centuries of abuse and oppression, and while I don't condone it - I understand it.

The fact is, whites took Hawaii by lies and by force, and fundamentally exploited the people violently until relatively recently.

There is still crushing poverty and a pervasive second-class citizen treatment of natives on the islands. Add to that the general rudeness and fundamental disrespect by most tourists, top it off by a massive disparity in income between white and native residents, and it's a wonder they don't throw our white asses into the ocean. And personally, I wouldn't blame them if they did.

It's going to take a long time for us to heal literally centuries of mistreatment and resentment - we should expect some people to be angry and act accordingly.

For the record, as long as it's peaceful and lawful - I'm all for returning sovereignty. A free Hawaii may struggle, but if the people want it back - they damn well deserve it.

Adelle the Great said...

Sorry. Being unable to find a pole over 10 feet, I can't comment on this ;p

Mugambismonkey said...

We're all brothas and sistas in the world and especially UU is spreading the Aloha feeling that unites us! So far I haven't noticed any racial issues on UU - on the contrary! I have made friends in Canada, Australia, the US, Sweden, and Germany. And when I talk to them I don't think about their nationality at all. It just doesn't matter! Just like I go shopping in the Netherlands on Sundays and there are no soldiers guarding the border which is actually not visible anymore. When I was a kid, I remember the soldiers... but much has changed. I think that the internet really unites people in the world - no matter what race or location - and that our "web generation" will really turn the world into a better place. So IMHO sovereignity will do Hawaii not good, as long as people think in the old-fashioned way. We have to teach our children that we have to care for the entire world and not just about what's going on in our backyards... then one day, these questions about racism, sovereignity, etc. won't matter anymore. Because we're all inhabitants on this little blue-green planet.

RussBuss said...

simple answer, make pride illegal. if we all hate ourselves, we have no time to hate others. time for some ice cream.

Adelle the Great said...

Yay! I want Chunky Monkey!

Mugambismonkey said...

Russel, I agree. You can only be proud of what you have accomplished, what you do and how you are and not of the geographical (or social) position on earth where you were born or where you live. Well, that's what I believe.

Unknown said...

"....simple answer, make pride illegal. ..."

That would make Booze's parade illegal.

RussBuss said...

"That would make Booze's parade illegal"

oh man, i just LOL'd all over my pants. haha!

Boozelele said...

I love you guys.

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