Racism
By theprofessionalhobo ~ December 24th, 2007. Filed under: Hawaii.
Having grown up in the most multi-cultural city in the world, I lived amongst people of all races and creeds, beliefs and backgrounds. It was not uncommon to walk down the street and hear numerous different languages as smells of varying cuisines wafted towards me. In highschool, I was actually a minority as a Caucasian.
And I loved it.
The
As I had been (luckily) warned, many of the native Hawaiians tend to resent the white man, known unaffectionately as Haolis, which in Hawaiian means “without breath” or “soulless one”. In my first few weeks here, I saw no signs of this resentment, and my limited dealings with the friendly locals actually debunked the myth in my mind.
But since then I have started to see and experience a different side of
A fellow who gave us a ride recently was originally from the mainland (also referred to as the “meanland” and “madland” depending on who you speak to) but who has lived in
Since then we have been glared at, stared at, and made attempts at conversation getting nothing but monotonic answers if we were so lucky to get verbal answers at all. Walking by schools at lunch time is no fun; the kids love to yell and jeer and call names. It’s relatively harmless since they are just kids, but it does nothing for the ego. Besides which, those kids had to learn about racism from somebody, which means at least some of their parents are leaving a legacy of racism and resentment for future generations to carry on.
Be that as it may, the local native Hawaiians may have good reason to resent the white people, and I won’t try to delve into those issues here. We are outsiders here, and despite our best efforts to learn about
What these lessons ring home for me is a whole new level of respect and admiration for others, historically and presently, who have sought out a better life and had to do it in the face of racial prejudices. I always have stood in awe of immigrants who have left their countries to come to
To be that one black girl who was the first to attend an all-white school, to be the one Indian family that committed their entire life savings to make a business work in a small homogeneous town, to be the one gay couple to move into a straight suburban area – all these people required courage, self-confidence, patience, and persistence. In many ways these pioneers have paved the way for others to follow with less strife and pain. But I’m sure that was no consolation after coming home from a day of physical and mental abuse.
I always respected these people, and I have never been the one to judge or point the finger. But having seen the tiniest glimpse of what it is to be on other side of racism has given me all the more respect and admiration for the courageous few. It is an inspiration and to them I say “hurrah” and “thank you”.
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December 29th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Hey, kiddo. Sorry to hear about your experience with the locals. I’ve known more than one haole who has fled back to the mainland in the face of it. Bravo for sticking it out.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:28 am
Thanks for the kudos, Andrea! Like I said, if anything it has given me a newfound respect for others who have braved much more fearsome odds.
January 18th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Hey Nora,
I have just stumbled on to your blog via Digg, and think your idea of traveling and giving up the rat race is AWESOME. I have been thinking about doing this for some time, but need to work a couple more years to save enough to do it.
I’m actually from Oahu, but came there via Korea–my birthplace–when I was 5. Being Korean in an island full of other Asians, even I experienced some acts of minor racism. It wasn’t much, nothing that really stands out in my mind, but I have come to understand that it was just kids lashing out at other kids in a very immature, hostile way. As I grew up, and those around me grew up as well, all of those problems with race pretty much disappeared.
Although, Oahu is a very different place than the Big Island, which I know has a lot of racism towards Caucasians, or haoles. I have a lot of white friends from there, and they have had the same kind of problems you described. I know a white Portuguese woman, from the middle of America, who went to school out in Hilo, that has LOADS of stories just like yours. One group of young locals followed them back to a party trying to start a fight! When she told me that, I was shocked. I don’t know what else to say other than it’s disheartening, because with so little to offer besides idyllic Paradise (which can get boring after awhile), I thought the Aloha spirit would make its way through. Oh well…
Just be careful on the Big Island, as i’m sure the locals there are much more aggro than the other islands.
Oh yeah, I met my fiance out there on Oahu, and she’s from British Columbia. She’s never had any problems with being white on Oahu. Actually, she said she has never felt more accepted, as a Canadian, in the States.
January 18th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Thank you for sharing!
I’ll admit, I am now located on the Kona (West) coast of the Big Island, and it’s totally different here. The locals are generally very friendly, and I don’t feel my personal safety is compromised at all.
Maybe the difference comes with tourism. Both Oahu and Kona see a lot of tourists, whereas the Puna region of the Big Island is much more remote and less traveled to.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Thank you for your honest courage in revealing this hatred.
This is also rampant on the mainland. If you’re born white in the USA, you are considered guilty…
By the way, the name is “white boy” or “white girl” on the mainland. You can hear the racism in the very tone.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Hi Nora,
I stumbled upon your blog and I love it – come visit us at ours if you get the chance…www.learningsustainability.blogspot.com
We lived in Hawaii on Big Island for 4 years, and eventually left because of the racism. It wore us down. I had a few articles on our blog about it, and even that started drawing attacks, so I took them down. We’re about to embark on new adventures – I’ll be sure to begin reading your blog!
Best – J.
March 9th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I have lived in Puna almost 7 years. I observed the racism within 2 weeks, and always maintained a humble attitude knowing others have endured, why not me. I have always been very clear in my heart that I came to learn and not bring my baggage of how it ought to be. But my good heart has been ignored. I am not wanted even though I am kind, helpful, progressive. People here are often exceptionally kind. And yet the lack of genuine openness is depressing. I come from a hugely diversified area, and my partner told me this was an international place. Not in a way that has any value or fun. I would rather be with open hearted people, I do not care what culture or color. Racism is living in the past, boring and non productive. If I quit loving every time some piece of shit hurt my heart…….Well, I am not giving up on life or love, but I definitely want a more mature lover than the Big Island.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:59 am
@Kristi – after 7 years in Puna, it seems that you have reached the end of your rope, and understandably so. So maybe the big question is…..where to next? (smiles)
March 13th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Do you really think those comparisons you drew fits your situation here?
Try think about what the white people did in Hawaii and what the black people did in America. The two are complete different things.
Go read the book “From a Native Daughter” by Haunani-Kay Trask before accusing the Hawaiians.
March 14th, 2009 at 8:18 am
@Dan – I apologize if I offended you with my comparison. It was not meant to be a direct comparison….which is why I patiently point out that the Hawaiians have good reason to resent white people and that I don’t blame or harbour resentment towards them for it – at all. (maybe you missed that part).
In fact, I have read about the atrocities that came upon Hawaii when the white man landed, and how the local way of life of the Hawaiians has been forever changed – for the worst. But like I also said above, I don’t want to delve into it in the scope of this article.
Regardless of the historical reasoning, I was discriminated against (and in some cases violently so) for something I didn’t do. As are many other victims of racism. That is a valid comparison, and until you have been discriminated against in this manner you may not see it, but it holds true.
I may have presented a very basic analogy in the article, but it is a raw sensation to be discriminated against – by children no less – and so this is a raw article.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
you are lucky being a White guy and only have to deal with racism in such a small occasions. Imagine me, an Asian guy who lived in Alabama who get racially taunted everyday. Imagined that pains that I have gone through just being a minority. Stop blame the Hawaiian for being unfriendly. White people are the most racist group in the world. You guys wipe out the native indians, enslaved the blacks, putting the Asians in the railroad construction.
Please don’t complain the small pains that you feel, my pains is 100 times more than yours. Believe me, majority of Hawaians are very respectful toward other cultures. After all, we are just human beings. We need to respect each others
February 12th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
To follow my comments. I do resent any kind of racism toward any group. I have many friends from different ethnicity. In general, I do believe everyone is a little racist. However, with education and understanding of each others, racism can be solved easily.
It is hard here in Alabama. So many people are just so uneducated and have never seen an Asian guy before. I am constantly being mocked, constantly getting physically abused. Many nights, I have thought about ending my life. But through prayers, I have grown stronger..If god really exist, please ask him to stop racism. I see the beauty in every culture. However, the media and propaganda have portrait Caucasian are the race that are superior. Other races are just inferior. How many heros in the movies are minority? There are just so much angers inside me toward White people due to years of suppressions. I am praying every night that I can forgive you guys, I pray to god for give me a courage to stand up for what I believe, the basic equality of human beings.
Now if you are in my shoes, what would you do? Run away? My families are in Alabama. My grandparents opened a restaurant here 50 yrs ago. I want to move to California where less racism exist.
Your experience in Hawaii is just insignificant when you compared to what Blacks or Asians have experienced in this country..for over 100 yrs..
February 13th, 2010 at 8:33 am
@Jeff – Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us here. But I am saddened that you didn’t get the point of the article, and instead suggested that my experiences in Hawaii were insignificant.
I know they were insignificant.
If you had truly read the article to the conclusion, you would have read that these small experiences (which I indeed recognize as insignificant in the grander scope of racism around the world) gave me a deeper respect for those who face racism every day.
“To supplant yourself in a completely alien world, to learn new languages, to adjust to new customs, and to do it in the face of racism is a monumental challenge and one worth applauding….having seen the tiniest glimpse of what it is to be on other side of racism has given me all the more respect and admiration for the courageous few. It is an inspiration and to them I say “hurrah” and “thank you”.
Those are my words from this post in case you missed it the first time.
So to you Jeff, despite the fact that you didn’t truly read my post before coming to conclusions (kind of smacks of racism, doesn’t it????), I still stay “thank you”.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Thanks for the reply. I am not saying that what you faced is insignificant in literal sense..I meant the racism that you encountered is pretty much secluded in one area in The U.S, and trust me, Hawaii is actually a pretty friendly place for most of people.
However for me is different, almost anywhere I go in the U.S, I will face racism just by being Asian. Alabama, Ohio, Idaho, Texas, you name it..The only state that I can probably walk outside without being shot is probably California. So you tell me what should I do?
I am not trying to compared your situation vs mine, nor to say your situation is no big deal. In general, I hate racism and racism is counterproductive. I see a lot of good people and bad people, and they are not related to your race or gender. There are good White or Asians and there are bad White or Asians. I look at specific person. And I try to contain my angers and not let my angers bias my view.
I hate the fact that Asians are being prorraited as either Nerdy guys or Kung fu fighters in the mainstream TV. I hate that fact that Asians are only secluded in the engineer field in the work force even though many of them are very articulate and have leadership skills.
Even though blacks face discrimination, but at least they have been accepted by the public as Americans. If you see an Asian guy on the street, would you even considered them as Americans even though they lived here for 3 generations?? When you see our constitution stated that all men are created equally….how is that make me think.
Racism is a topic that I can talk about for whole day. But it is not something that I want to talk about too much. It stirred up too much pains in my heart when I talk about it. I just wish this world can be a better place. People can spread Loves instead of hates to each others.
I read your article and I applaud the fact that you have gained a broader perspective in your life about racism. And the experience of being minority for the first time in your life.
I will have a son by the end of this year and I really want him to grow up healthy. I hate to look into his eyes one day and see the pains in a little child’s face..Daddy, can you tell me why they are treating me differently in School? or daddy can you tell me why they throw stuff at me for no reasons, or call me names?? Such feeling of inferiority complex would probably haunt him for rest of his life…
February 14th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
In general, I am not stating that racism is coming from White people alone. I have encountered racism from black, Hispanics and even Asians. I went to China this year, and I got discriminated for just not speaking proper Chinese. Merchants in China charged me 3x prices on everything when they looked at me. They knew I am from the U.S because of my poor Chinese and the way I dress (T shirt and jean). Ironically, I am not accepted in place where I lived in the U.S. I am a wondering ship in the ocean without an island to harbor onto.
I hope your experience in Hawaii have made you a stronger and better person in the world. I know my experience have made me a better person and stronger person. But that doesn’t mean my children will turn out that way. I really don’t want the bitterness in their heart to ruin a person’s life and future.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:00 am
@Jeff – Thank you so very much for sharing, and for clarifying your position. I truly feel for you…not having a true feeling of comfort or safety – anywhere in the world. (As an aside, maybe New York city would be another place in the States where you could experience less racism…it strikes me as a very multi-cultural and more open-minded place to live, from my experiences there).
But that’s not what it’s about…having to choose the least racist place to live so your son can grow up feeling normal…I understand your plight – if not literally, then I can empathize, with my limited experience in Hawaii. It’s unfair, and unjust.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for replying. Meeting you online helps me cope with my pains. At least I know somewhere in the world there are people who are understanding of each others.
I wish you the best in the future. And may we put all the pains and bad memories behind us and walk out to be a better person. After all, we are all connected in this world regardless of our skins and background..
February 17th, 2010 at 11:21 am
@Jeff – I love the sentiment, and I’m in. Cheers!