Ruperake Petaia a Samoan outside the center
Was it careless that you were sent away?
Thrust into a white Fijian world unasked
English your new friend
the old comfort companion disappeared
English your new friend
the old comfort companion disappeared
Only to see those becoming so familiar
after months of strange worldly stories
and room full of those unlike you.
Feelings small important in the least
or the largest in length and most wanted
a Samoan outside the center
Corrupted by those philosophers minds
that slowly show you glimpses of pleasure
this education was a weight or reliever?
To be taught in this westernized manner
Where were the lessons about home
Where were the lessons saying you belong
but the Dutch arrived with a banner.
Did your mind start to like what it learned
the war, the leaders, the revolution bullet
did it make its way to an interested mind?
Was there any pleasure to be provided
and room full of those unlike you.
Feelings small important in the least
or the largest in length and most wanted
a Samoan outside the centerCorrupted by those philosophers minds
that slowly show you glimpses of pleasure
this education was a weight or reliever?
To be taught in this westernized manner
Where were the lessons about home
Where were the lessons saying you belongbut the Dutch arrived with a banner.
Did your mind start to like what it learned
the war, the leaders, the revolution bullet
did it make its way to an interested mind?
Was there any pleasure to be provided
a life bigger by the gloss of science
thoughts so powerful you yearned for more.
I understand the crisis in finding identity
a life your parents whose love decided
to place a child in a foreign classroom.
A father seeking the paid praise
but his son was not what he expected
You're different from the traditional view
the white mans child a foreign thinker
Fa'a Samoa now so hard to find
A Samoan outside the center
Words learned that weren't native
taking hold like a hook to a fish
The words taught in academic language
first language spoken but second to you
Mother tongue coming from another
Fa'a Samoa felt the first fist of the Empire
and blessing turned to ash in the mouth
The Nagivator Islands were spewed out
A Flag hidden knife aimed at the center
I understand the crisis in finding identity
a life your parents whose love decided
to place a child in a foreign classroom.
A father seeking the paid praise
but his son was not what he expected
You're different from the traditional view
the white mans child a foreign thinker
Fa'a Samoa now so hard to find
A Samoan outside the center
Words learned that weren't native
taking hold like a hook to a fishThe words taught in academic language
first language spoken but second to you
Mother tongue coming from another
Fa'a Samoa felt the first fist of the Empire
and blessing turned to ash in the mouth
The Nagivator Islands were spewed out
A Flag hidden knife aimed at the center
They clapped and cheered all as one
under the thump of him or her
King, Queen they were all the same
One said this opportunity was open
another the answer lay with them
but all we want is our home
Did they lose a son to the white ways?
Did your Tama ever come to see you
as the son he understood.
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For ignorance is the killer of families
when they search for a higher life
A Samoan outside the center
Thanks Aaron - I really enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeleteIn the position I'm in, I find it hard not to believe in 'education' and all benefits that a formal education can have, albeit from a cultural perspective that is not applicable/ relatable to all students...some even say it discriminatory...
However, I do see that a lot of the education 'export' for Pasifika Peoples is surely not a Pasifika based system, and that must have certain consequences.
If this is not the ideal place for Pacific Pedagodgies, our place, this place, in The Pacific itself, then I'm not sure anywhere else is.
However, we have all inherited these imported ideologies.
Somehow we need to fine an inclusivity for all!