Women Herstory Month
I have to be honest with you all, I wasn’t for sure how to really kick off this month. I knew the direction and how I wanted to conduct celebrating our Pasifika women, but how do you kick it off? Then it hit me. This kick off isn’t going to be much of a hype up because I feel like everyday should be a celebration of Pasifika women and our community. However, what it will be is a reflection of something that has always been in the back of my mind about the history of women and women’s fight for equality.
Each for Equal
I’m not sure how it is for other Pasifika women around the world, but I know for a fact that when it comes to women’s equality here in the States we get left out of the conversation. This year’s theme is #EachforEqual or Generation Equality. Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe that there needs to still be a fight for equality, but let’s take it a step further. Who is this fight really for?
If you’ve ever studied the suffragette movement that happened in the States, then you know the name Susan B. Anthony. She is known for being the leader of getting the women’s vote in the US. In New Zealand, I just recently listened to a podcast about Kate Sheppard and the petition that was passed around the country for women to sign. Fast forward to the feminist movement in the 60s and I could go on and on, but let’s stop and think about these movements. Who did they truly help? Was it Black women? Was it Hispanic women? Was is Native American women? Was it Pasifika women? Short answer – no. It was white women.
There has been a lot of talk about how white men mistreat the system and have the upper hand. It’s all true, but let’s not forget the responsibility that white women have played in this part too because it wasn’t till I was watching a documentary where white feminist women shut down women of color at a conference. I wish I knew where that clip was, but it was something that struck a chord with me. It had never occurred to me before that the women’s movement from the beginning of time was really for white women’s rights and not women of color. Sure, we eventually got the vote and some rights, but when you look at the media, history books, etc. who are the people that are highlighted and taught about? White women. I think this needs to stop because guess what? Pasifika women were there too. If you take a listen to RNZ’s Beyond Kate podcast you will hear an episode about how Māori women took part in the women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand. You’ll also learn about how they had land and power before colonization changed that.
There have been many and there are still today many Pasifika women who are fighting the good fight for Pasifika voices. In America, it’s almost like we’re the invisible community. We get lost with the Asians, people think we’r either Black or Hispanic, or they don’t think we have an opinion or get upset. Now, I do understand that there are biracial children who identify with both communities and I don’t want to throw that away. Heck, I’m half white and know about my heritage on my dad’s side, but as I’ve explained to other people who remind me that I’m half white, I know that isn’t the community that needs my voice. The community that needs my voice to help uplift them is my Pasifika heritage and that’s why I am so passionate about uplifting Pasifika voices.
Pasifika Women Empowerment
When it comes to talking about Each for Equal, I think it’s time we acknowledge women of color who have done so much for their community. I know that there many Pasifika women who have been warriors on this front. From the beginning of time to today, our women fight for our community. Just look at the photo below. It’s Samoan warriors and among them are women. Even though the caption says just men, we need to acknowledge the role our women have played.
Colonization has done so much harm to our community in our view of women and their roles. What gives me hope is a quote from a literal Pasifika queen. Queen Liliu’okalani said, “I could not turn back the time for political changes, but there is still time to save our heritage. You must remember never to cease to act because you fear you may fail. The way to lose any earthy kingdom is to be inflexible, intolerant, and prejudicial. Another way is to be too flexible, tolerant of too many wrongs, and without judgment at all. It is a razor’s edge. It is the width of a blade of pili grass.” We must stand firm. We must take space and make space for our Pasifika women because if we don’t then who will?
Empowered Pasifika Women
What encourages and inspires me daily is knowing that I come from a long line of strong Pasifika women. I also know that I am a part of community that has women who are willing to stand up and say, “Hey we are here. We are proud, and you will not shame us for being Pasifika.” I love seeing our women working towards educating our community as well as those outside our community about our history and heritage.
What I’m most excited about the women in our community is that they are organizing. They are organizing events where Pasifika people can come together and collaborate and feel safe in who they are. Knowing that there is a safe space to be who you are fully is an amazing feeling and I’m so happy that there are women doing that.
This is why this month I’m challenging myself to feature those women and also share stories of women in the past. What are our struggles, what are our triumphs, and how can the younger generation take the torch and carry it into the future. Cause that’s why this all matters. It’s for our youth to see this movement and continue the good fight. Then hopefully there won’t be a fight and we can be heard.
So, I hope you are as excited as I am to learn about what our women are doing around the world cause we are literally all over. I can’t wait for you to read their stories and feel inspired. I know I will.
Sipping Koko 