Oceania Rise Up: We go to Arizona on May 29th

This is a call on all people of the Pacific diaspora, people of conscience across the country to join our brothers and sisters and converge on Arizona on May 29th.

Together we will march to Stop the Hate and demand that Obama issue an executive order nullifying SB1070. STOP THE HATE!!!

Let Us Show The World That We Won’t Stand For Hateful Laws And Attacks On Immigrants And People Of Color.

Background: The passage of SB 1070 by Governor Brewer sparked national outrage catalyzing a movement for immigrant rights and lending a sense of urgency to stop the hate and terrorizing of immigrants and people of color in Arizona and across the nation.

The Oceania contingent is partnering with ANSWERLA (a Los Angeles social justice organization); Puente (a human rights movement anchored in Phoenix) and NDLON (National Day Laborers Organizing Network) in calling for all people of conscience to converge on Arizona to Stop the hate on May 29th and demand President Obama take action to nullify this hateful law.

Demands:

We urge President Obama to:

1. Reassert the federal government's exclusive control over immigration law by making clear that state and local police do not have the inherent authority to enforce immigration law.
2. Immediately suspend and terminate all police-ICE partnerships, including 287(g) agreements and the so-called 'Secure Communities Initiative."
3. Direct the Department of Homeland Security to refuse to take custody of anyone charged with violating provisions of SB 1070.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, May 28th, Human Rights Festival at 8pm: music and art making for march.

Saturday, May 29th, Human Rights March, 8am gathering time: 5 mile long march converging at State Capitol. There will be live music at the beginning and end of march. Delegations from throughout the country and tens of thousands expected from the state. Local and national faith, human, civil, and labor leader speakers.
Background websites and articles:

Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on Immigration http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/politics/24immig.html?scp=1&sq=SB1070&st=cse

Arizona: The Wrong Answer
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/desmond-tutu/arizona----the-wrong-answ_b_557955.html

On the Eve of SB-1070’s Enactment: What Can President Obama Do? http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/04/24/arizona-sb1070-solutions/

Arizona tourism loses more business in wake of immigration law vote
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051203317.html?hpid=topnews

Arizona immigration bill protesters arrested http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/04/20/20100420arizona-immigration-bill-protest20-ON.html

Sarah Palin calls women "Momma Grizzlies"

In an address to the Susan B Anthony List, last Friday, Sarah Palin said that the earliest leaders of the Women's Suffrage movement and feminist "foremothers" were pro-life advocates. A statement strongly disputed in a recent Washington Post op-ed by Ann Gordon and Lynn Sherr.

"For nearly 30 years, both of us have been immersed in Susan B. Anthony's words - Ann as the editor of Anthony's papers, Lynn as the author of a biography. We have read every single word that this very voluble - and endlessly political - woman left behind. Our conclusion: Anthony spent no time on the politics of abortion. It was of no interest to her, despite living in a society (and a family) where women aborted unwanted pregnancies."

Gordon and Sherr say that Sarah Palin is no Susan B. Anthony; claiming that the interpretations of Susan B. Anthony by the far right agenda is an "...erosion of accuracy in history and journalism."

What's scary about Sarah Palin is her latex appeal that's shiny, dramatic and skin-tight to self-help groups such as this and the friendly Tea baggers. Her tendency to 'Go Rouge' and sound the alarm for all mothers to hind-up like momma grizzly bears and protect their cubs and their homes feeds on everything but security.

Who in their 'Right' winged mind wouldn't believe Sarah anyway? Sarah with her fulltime mommy status and her fulltime advocacy plate. Of course she's the model American woman who can do it all. NOT!

Sarah's logic on liberty is for women to have as many babies as we want anytime we want. And if we cant handle it, give them to someone else. These are the 'common-sense' solutions she wants us to believe in. The simplification of the complex and rich diversity of our make-up and obligation as women.

Unless we speak out and against these fundamental crimes against women, Christian fundamentalists will continue to espouse their religious beliefs. This is the new face of oppression with its hues of scarlett blush. Do you not see the letter 'A' in this?

While motherhood is a beautiful thing that I highly recommend, arguably what nature intended for women; we were also given free will to choose that which is right or wrong for us as women. That is our RIGHT under the constitution of the United States. We cannot allow the Sarah's of this world to sell this message without consequences against all women.

I argue for protecting the process of choice and the right to decide. These are the civil rights that Susan B. Anthony and pioneers of the suffrage movement were persecuted for. This is the pathway that she envisioned for women to enter into consciousness and unbiased truth-telling, free of guilt-laden rhetoric and God-fearing gimmicks.

We do not have to overthrow a woman's right to self in these phony movements full of hype, superficial rouge and maternal callings. A woman's first obligation is to love and appreciate herself in order to fully love and appreciate others. The making of a young girl into a woman is a delicate and complex process that is not as simple as Sarah would want us to believe. Society does not allow for this process without persecuting the female psyche.

Nature intended for us to be girls before we become women. It is that process of coming of age and becoming women that is heavily suppressed in the game of politics. The Susan B Anthony that I studied, read about and admire is certainly not the anti-woman, anti-choice heroine that Palin wants me to believe.

History tends to repeat itself if we don't fact-check; if we believe the 'anything Sarah says goes' hype, if we're not actively listening for falsehoods, purposely engaged in critical analysis. At the very least, we must speak out against the obstruction of one's right to choose. Whether that choice is for life, marriage, education, immigration, healthcare; that's a Constitutional right.... We have the right to CHOOSE! And its worth calling out all these anti-agents against us.

The offering of a TAUTAI

Here they are, gracing my blog this morning are the 7 Tautai of Pele: the sorority of Oceania. Reflecting on the journey of these remarkable young ladies and particularly of this Mana-fied image taken the evening of May 14th, 2010, on the Hinas cross-over.

We are at the foot of the Pacific ocean, asking permission of Tagaloa the God of our forefathers. Tagaloa accepts the offering of the Tautai and bless their lifelong 'faiva' commitment to serve. The daughters of Oceania feel the weight of the sand between their toes and know that each grain represents the sacrifice that lies ahead for them. They listen to the soft purr of the wind and are reminded of their aerodynamic strength when in unison. They are ignited by the flame of love and intensity as daughters of PELE, the Goddess of Fire.

The birth of PELE's first line of Tautai, masters of the sea and guardians of our people takes its mark in the history of Oceania.

May the blessings, love and hope of our Ancestors be upon you always Tautai of Pele.

In this picture from L-R are Tautai Joycelyn Faasee, Tautai Lemasani Vaafuti, Tautai Evelyn Suai, Tautai Nikki Matautia, (me) Pele Mentor: Val LiHang Jacobo, Tautai Melerelini Letuli-Ioane, Tautai Angel Fa'amausili, Tautai Faaputu Vaafuti. Photo taken by Pele Mentor, 'Amelia Niumeitolu.

Strike while the C17 iron's still hot!

In an unprecedented sentiment to these tough economic times, 1700 Boeing employees walked off the plant on May 10th. The largest employer in Long Beach takes its place among corporate America Goliaths under severe public scrutiny.

"We will stay as long as we need to out on the streets, said Adrian Roddie of Gardena California. This is our first strike in over 24 years; as long as I've been here, we have never had to walk out of our job."

Boeing and UAW Local 138 negotiators failed to reach a concensus on health benefit premium increases, the apparent reason for the strike. This has forced many off the job and seeking financial assistance from the UAW Strike fund.

"It isn't much, added Roddie, but it's something to get my family by while I fight for their heathcare."

Strike orders have been released to 1700 employees to meet today on the picket line. On the website, instructions to employees to file for Unemployment insurance has also begun.

"We just want fair wages and benefits," said Lakewood resident Anthony Valentino who joins fellow union members to picket on the corner of Wardlow and Cherry Ave in Long Beach. We will be here around the clock.

The Long Beach community is encouraged to come out and talk to the union workers. Listen to their stories, learn how this strike affect families and what this means for our city. We welcome any report backs to local media. As always your views and opinions are welcomed here.

ΡΣΓΣ: The Sorority of Oceania, a sustainable and hopeful future.

Six months ago, a few college students approached us for help. The ask was to create a space that would embrace their heritage, expand their college experience and transform their lives.

The result was the formation of a sisterhood/sorority, a first of its kind for Pacific Island students. We facilitated a series of meetings to discuss process and direction; allowed for the students to contribute, craft and steer the direction of their organization. These series of meetings birthed the organization of PELE: The sorority of Oceania. (ΡΣΓΣ: Rho Sigma Gamma Sigma)

Over the course of a 7 week pledge process, 7 young women (Hinas) competed in the following criteria:

1. Pacific Studies education: Immersion in a crash course of reading material which include top Pacific scholars, artists and progressive thinkers such as Epeli Hau'ofa, Teresia Teaiwa, Albert Wendt, Sia Figiel, TuiAtua Tupua Tamasese. Hinas presented papers and have had rigorous discourse on historical and current issues affecting the Pacific region and its people on island and in the diaspora.

2. Launched a climate change campaign to promote recycling. Carried oversized bags/decorated purses across their respective campus for the entire pledge season and talk to other students about the campaign. Hinas were responsible for taking recyclables weekly and banking receipts for their recyclables. Fundraiser Goal: $200.00/person

3. Planned and executed a print-media campaign to raise awareness of Pacific Islands issues such as climate change and its affect on sinking islands. Pele made frontpage news in the CSULB Daily 49er newspaper on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

4. Spearheaded a global reach to Pacific regional partners and built a network of support for education with new partners such as YPCN: The Young People's Concerned Network a pro-democracy grassroots network.

5. With the help of brother organization TOA: Tau Omega Alpha, the fraternity of Oceania, PELE Raised US $1100.00 for Fiji students displaced by Cyclone Thomas which devasted several islands and damaged schools. The money raised will go towards the purchase of stationary and textbooks for 5000 students.

6. Hina's presented papers at a panel on climate change and global warming awareness for Earth Day 2010.

7. Created new media presentations (photoessays, film, etc) and expand social-media marketing (Facebook, twitter) to present individual and collective ideas.

8. PELE participated in community solidarity rallies/protests: Anti-Nazi Rally 4/27/10, and May Day Immigration rally 5/1/10,

9. Each member continuing to build on a geneological family tree that dates back a minimum of 4 generations.

We are very proud and pleased to present to the community PELE's first seven TAUTAI/Sea Empress:
Angel Fa'amausili (CSULB); Monique Mata'utia (CSULB); Melerelini Letuli-Ioane (LBCC); Lemasani Va'afuti (LBCC); Faaputu Va'afuti (CSULB); Evelyn Suai (LBCC); Jocelyn Faasee (CSULB).

You can expect any PELE member who has earned the title of TAUTAI/Sea Empress to be ready to serve our community from the knowledge gained from this enhanced college experience along with the power they inherited from the Oceanian ancestory.

Our Tautai/Sea Empresses, the guardians of Oceania will be crowned today with the PELE arsenal of: fire, water, wind, and earth.

We could not have done this without the love and support of our community.

In Mana and Gratitude.

A mother's day is every day.

It never ceases to amaze me how we enjoy our holidays as Americans. Take Mothers Day for example, it's celebrated with so much pomp and circumstance, flowers on every street corner and chocolates in--your-face galore. I'm at the point where I'm tempted to call it 'Buy a red rose for five bucks from the freeway street vendor, then surprise the woman who nurtured or gave life to you, because you cant think of anything else to get her' Day.

That would probably be more appropriate with such emphasis on commercialization; and such absent-minded nonchalant ways 'grown-ups' seem to acknowledge their mothers.

The exploitation of a consumer-frenzy society has caused so much damage on our family-life. This unsympathetic, unapologetic approach to what is supposed to be a special day is bereft of compassion. It's become a rat race for 'whatever' and burdensome for others. And on the day of, some even go as far as waiting for the drive to their mom's to pick something up along the way. So why even bother?

Mothers Day should be every day, in thought, in spirit... in small acts of kindness. We represent our mothers every day in every thing we do. I know I do, and my mama wouldn't have me 'acting up' any other way. Childrens Day is every day to a mother; something that I am very conscious of as a daughter.

I feel my mother's embrace when I want comfort. I hear her voice when I need counsel. I see her smile, when I seek validation. I taste her cooking when I am hungry. I often get 'mom-sick' and off I go to see her at her home in Long Beach. And often, it's every day of the week.

I celebrate my mother, Masele To'omalatai LiHang with every breath I take, 365 days a year. If I can be half the mom that she was and continues to be for me, I'd be a sweet ass mutha.

Gracing my blog today are my mom shown here with her beautiful sisters who I also acknowledge as shaping my womanhood. From left to right: Aunty Elisa To'omalatai Atuatasi, my mother Masele To'omalatai LiHang and Aunty Luisa To'omalatai Iereneo.

Ia manuia le Aso o Tina. Happy Mothers Day.

Feliz Cinco De Mayo

Today in downtown Los Angeles, the historic Olvera district will be filled with hundreds grubbing on mole and getting their mariachi-on. As much as we enjoy these festivities, so should we celebrate the spirit of the underdog. Some say the Mexicans were outnumbered by the French imperialists by some 4000 soliders centuries ago on this day. That battle on the banks of Pueblo reclaimed Mexico's resistance to colonialism and set the path for its independence. This is the Cinco de Mayo Los Angeles should be celebrating and this is the resistence that we took part in over the weekend on May Day.

On Saturday, May 1st, the potholes of Broadway from Olympic to Temple, a 4 mile stretch was covered with a sea of red, white and blue. Waving banners and flags from nations across the globe came 350,000 people who marched to the federal immigration building in downtown.

Oceangeles proudly waived its brown, black and gold tapa-immitation flag adorned by Easther Mulipola, Linnie Mulipola, Amelia Niumeitolu and yours truly. We rallied with our friends from the Bus Riders Union. Chanted the ta-tolu mai war chant and choo-soo-soo'ed our way down Broadway as part of the resistance.

Today, I am reminded of the Arizona SB1070 draconian law. I celebrate the resistance against the racial apartheid that divides and conquers immigrants. Oceangeles stands in solidarity with the Revolucion. We own Los Angeles. This is our America!

Resist Racism! Resist Apartheid. Fight back!