Island of cowards!
A few weeks ago, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was involved in a controversy over his statements calling the U.S. a “nation of cowards” on racial issues. While we in Hawaii tend to be braver than most when it comes to interracial dating, we still have cowardly tendencies when it comes to addressing serious racial conflicts in Hawaii!
Last week’s story in Honolulu Weekly about the struggles of the Micronesian community (“Legal Aliens,” 2/25) mentioned incidents in Mayor Wright Housing (MWH) in which fireworks and gasoline were thrown at the homes of Micronesian residents. It also mentioned Micronesians getting attacked and threatened with knives. These acts were done as the attackers were yelling racist slurs on their Micronesian victims.
On the mainland, these incidents would be referred to as “hate crimes.” These are racist attacks of terror! Yet, too many in Hawaii are reluctant to even admit hate crimes happen here! This is cowardice.
Also, in the same article, a social worker (who was too cowardly to reveal his/her real name) blamed Micronesians for shop-lifting and for the negative conditions at Kuhio Park Terrace (KPT). I have actually heard kids of other races openly brag about shoplifiting. Also, the horrible conditions at KPT were there decades before the Micronesians moved in! Yet, that cowardly social worker has the nerve to blame these problems on the most discriminated group in Hawaii!
In other places, the attitude of that social worker would be referred to as “racist.” But too many here are reluctant to admit racism occurs here too. This is cowardice!
Last year, after City Council representative Rod Tam used the racist slur “wetback” at a meeting, some in Hawaii were outraged that some local Latinos refused to be cowards against Tam. Nevermind that all the local Latinos did was verbally protest Tam’s words. No Latino activist used violence on Tam. But verbal bravery from Latino activists was too much for some in Hawaii to handle!
Also, is anyone in Hawaii brave enough to point out that not all European countries were involved in the conquest of non-white lands! Think about it next time someone gets attacked for being a haole!
There’s more going on, but I’ll let others add on to the list.
Some might say, “Why don’t you leave Hawaii?” I am a lifelong resident of Hawaii and I refuse to leave. That would be an act of cowardice! I prefer to develop the bravery required to point out that sometimes problems exist in Hawaii.
I encourage our fellow Hawaii residents to do the same.
Pablo Wegesend Honolulu
