cater2ubydestinyschild: kakaimeitahi:INK SERIES: TESSA APA Timena Apa writes about her palagi moth
cater2ubydestinyschild: kakaimeitahi: INK SERIES: TESSA APA Timena Apa writes about her palagi mother Tessa receiving her malu. She writes from her own perspective and what she learned herself through the process. “My mother, a palagi, accepts the gift of the malu. A tatau to match her husband. A magnificent pair. A woman who married Samoa 25 years ago, a country that embraced her with open arms. A land that chose her bones to bear it’s children. Some will argue that a palagi is not fit to wear it, but who are they to question her heart for Samoa, her heart for her husband, her heart for her children? The right to wear a malu is not indicative of blood or skin tone, it is a matter of spirit, and the spirit of Samoa dwells within her, always.” These were the words I posted to my Instagram account last month, accompanied by a photo of my mum getting her tatau. The reason I posted this was an attempt to justify my mother’s actions. Explain to those who didn’t understand or agree, the reasons why she, a non-Samoan, was receiving a traditional Samoan tatau. Admittedly, my intentions were somewhat desperate, not to mention selfish. I needed to ensure that people wouldn’t judge her. I had to defend my mother. In retrospect, this was fatuous. I shouldn’t have needed to justify her malu to anyone, so why did I feel so compelled to? [cont] What are everyones thoughts on this? this post is prolly a bit old by now but I just saw it n well.. the whole thing is just plain fake deep and pretentious imo. I mean.. “A woman who married Samoa 25 years ago, a country that embraced her with open arms.” and “A land that chose her bones to bear it’s children.”??? I’m sharting. this writer and daughter has romanticized her mother’s entire image as a white woman. what exactly did this white woman do to be commended n given such a poetic description of her lmao. she literally did nothing that would give her credit to wear the malu. white people willingly wanting to wear a cultural tattoo that doesn’t belong to them simply bc their partner or child is Samoan is wild to me. it’s also very very annoying and tiresome when Samoan people actually offer this to white people. like?? if u really want ur white mother to be included in ur culture, she can attend Samoan functions and events, she can participate in Samoan sivas and learn one herself, she can watch how we do customs during funerals or weddings or family reunions and even help! she can learn a song in our language holy shit there is a whole list of things I can think of that could permit her being a part of something without crossing boundaries. like did she really have to go as far as to get a tribal? like did she really and truly? was it imperative that she get one? would she be missing out on something that is an inherent part of her identity? would she feel excluded and shunned from a part of herself that was so dire in helping her reconnect with something inside her? would she DIE? the answer is NO. bc she ain’t Samoan but just another white person who just so happens to have a Samoan husband and daughter too. I’m so stunned at how white people don’t have limits. and what bothers me the most is this white woman can go around and do whatever she wants without facing the consequences of actually being Samoan. she has white supremacy and white privilege to keep her safe and warm while Samoan women wearing the malu will face both racial micro and macro-aggressions. I’m tired!!!! -- source link