Courage to the Samoans
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 07:45PM In the wake of the tragedy of the tsunami in Samoa, I am riveted with pain thinking about the people's suffering there. My prayers are with all the Samoans.
I remember my visit to the island years ago, when I met a most wonderful woman, Tisa, who runs Tisa's Barefoot Bar, a wonderful beachfront restaurant which was noted in airplane magazines as "the" destination at the millennium.
We sat at the wooden tables with the water lapping the beach, eating freshly caught fish which Tisa cooked herself.
The conversation was intense in contrast; in fact, about Tisa's decision to run for office (Governor). She was preparing to challenge the male-dominated societal traditions, with a platform including women's rights and openness about "taboo" topics, like domestic violence. She was even willing to publicly share her previously secret personal experiences with such abuse. I called the local television station, who responded by agreeing to do a public service show on the topic. I talked about the psychological issues; my sister-in-law discussed legal issues, and Tisa shared her story.
Below is an article about the television show, and also an article about Tisa's campaign.
This seems an appropriate time to share her story here, shoring up the courage of the people.
An email to me in September, 2000, from Rosalia Tisa Faamuli, told the story of her courageous run for office, mobilizing a "Tisa Team." About her running mate, she wrote: a woman who was to run with her pulled out at the last minute and she was replaced by a long time American Samoa resident and social activist, Jim McQuire, and her campaign issues -- the environment, women's rights, family abuse, illegal labor practices and the economy.
Tisa was optimistic. "As a woman, I think I know more about these issues than my opponents," she wrote. "Take business for example, the guest register at the Barefoot Bar in Alega lists thousands of patrons from all over the world who have found American Samoa to be a wonderful and beautiful island with beautiful people."
She was confronting great tsunami odds of a different nature, but not unlike the environmental pounding of today. She said, "You know our culture is pretty much run by men with high chief titles. I derived from royal bloodlines, I argued that point, the bill was tabled. The old boys club has made it possible to block all the supporters from me by using the food give aways and lots of money. So far the cost to gain a vote per person, is $70.00 USD. In the normal state like California, the cost per voter is $6.70 USD. You realized, my campaign is about no fraud waste and abuse, meaning I am determined to run this campaign with little or no money. The small island paradise, is all related to the big tree. Meaning the big brothers continue to bully the sisters around, the children and youth, our leaders have gained their way into the western way and perverted the hell out both Samoan culture and American. Not to worry, I stick to my guns and charging straight ahead. So far have accomplish one goal to be the first indeginous woman to run for governor ever in the history of our little island and Hawai'i as well."
In March of 2001, Tisa emailed me, "Our little paradise needs friends in big world out there."
Yes. Now even more than ever.
Reader Comments (7)
replica longines watches|
So good! I like it very much,but If you can add more video and pictures can be much better, I have never read such a lovely article and I am coming back tomorrow to continue reading.
Chaussures Nike Tn Requin,requin basket pascher,TN Requin,Tn Requin Pas Cher,Nike TN Requins,Chaussures TN,Timberland chaussures,Air Max 95 ,Nike TN,site turque basket air max pas cher:http://www.chaussures-nike-tn-requin.com
Chaussures Nike Tn Requin,TN Requin,Tn Requin Pas Cher,tn requin.fr,requin basket pascher,Nike TN Requins,Chaussures nike tn chaussures,tnrequin,tn rekin,requin tn noir Mode homme:http://www.chaussures-nike-tn-requin.com
Nike chaussures tn requin plating pas chere,Nike air max tn homme:http://www.chaussures-nike-tn-requin.com
Chaussures Nike Tn Requin,requin basket pascher,TN Requin,Tn Requin Pas Cher,Nike TN Requins,Chaussures TN,Timberland chaussures,Air Max 95 ,Nike TN,site turque basket air max pas cher:http://www.chaussures-nike-tn-requin.com
Chaussures Nike Tn Requin,TN Requin,Tn Requin Pas Cher,tn requin.fr,requin basket pascher,Nike TN Requins,Chaussures nike tn chaussures,tnrequin,tn rekin,requin tn noir Mode homme:http://www.chaussures-nike-tn-requin.com
Nike chaussures tn requin plating pas chere,Nike air max tn homme:http://www.chaussures-nike-tn-requin.com
Remember what panerai radiomir replica
should be remembered, and forget what should be forgotten.Alter replica rolex ladies datejust special edition
what is changeable, and accept what is mutablereplika omega de ville
。
Hi, the article is so wonderful, I am interested in it. I will pay attention to your articles. And I like cheap clothes very much,they are in high quality and inexpensive, so I think everyone will be interested in it,is it right? I have found a wholesale in china online, there are China wholesaler.The store was established for a long time.They have a good reputation,there are many cheap shoes on their website.They provide wholesale price and shipping to worldwide. So no matter where you are now, you also can order your goods at this website. Especially the cheap clothing ,they are my favorite!
Thank you for your articles! Winter will coming soon.Have you prepared Ugg Bootsfor this winter?I think everyone need to buy one ugg boots to through the cold winter.I found Ugg Boots On Sale by chance.The store provide cheap and stylish ugg boots for us, and it can ship to worldwide with freeshipping.All of them are Cheap Ugg Bootssale online.It is convinient to order them no matter where you are..We can find flixble Ugg Australiaat here, they are authentic, you can feel free to buy them.Do not hesitate, shop your favorite Ugg Boots onlinenow.
top 10 anti wrinkle creams uk
consumer reports ratings of wrinkle cream