How real is the rascism ?

[opihikao]

gypsy, here is my experience in turn:

At six years old, Papa and Tutu sent me to a private "haole" school, then known as the "best school west of the rockies". I graduated from this "haole" school, better for the experiences, not just the education.

I was one of eight (8) Hawaiian students in the whole school. No one could pronounce my Hawaiian first name, including the teachers. Being teased for being a Hawaiian at school (by my peers), then called "haole" (because I went to my "haole" school) by "local" kids after school, hurt when growing up.

I learned to turn the insults hurled into life lessons that helped me when working in the real world years later.

There is a point where we realize human beings and the shortcomings each one has. In that light, we need to let go of the ignorance of the past, and focus on how we move forward as a people (ALL of us), given our Puna (and our State) is diverse.

My Papa always said, "We all put our pants on the same way. You are no better than anyone, and no one is better than you." Mahalo, Papa.


JMO, as a proud Hawaiian, with a bloody good education. []