Thought-Provoking Stuff about 'What does it mean to be Samoan?' Identity and finding our way.
From Laura Toailoa, a young woman confronts the stereotypes. "Generally, Samoans are associated with domestic violence, fresh-ness, unintelligence, poverty and a whole lot of negative stuff. Esp. the Samoans living in South Auckland."
The ever brutally honest woman Under the Coconut Tree asks 'who am I' and tells us how she has evolved from a 'Samoan who couldnt speak Samoan' to one with a malu who gives everything all the time "to the dead people".
Man-Blogger LV talks about expressing affection when you're Samoan. We can shout it on Facebook but in person? ummmm...help!
Man-blogger Seti Matua writes a powerfully moving piece about how 'we are all in the same fautasi'.
And a Afakasi in NZ talks about brown and white and rampant racism. Paul Henry and THAT interview were a "very real reflection" of a lot of people in NZ who are of the view that "if you fall outside the category of white middle-upper class and do not speak Kiwi, or Posh Kiwi...you have no real claim to belonging to NZ."
While a mum in Samoa, Rebecca Lolo gives us an insight into how basketball is played 'Samoan-style', crooked refs, cheating and of course the spectator fighting! And we keep going back for more...Like 'a dog to his vomit.'
Finally a piece of Essential Reading for (Lustful) Fun.
OHMIGOSH Jen over at Kuaback blah blah'd about how she got to meet Johnny Depp. And he's nice to children and little old ladies. And friendly and accessible. And Im sooooo jealous. And I know that he's really sorry he didnt get to meet me too.(seeing as how I am his biggest sleepless Samoan fan. Truly. And literally.)
Thanks everyone for continuing to provide great reading for all of us! Check back next week for another Fabulous Fruit Salad of Blog Posts from around the world.