Paul Theroux- a wonderful travel writer recently wrote an op-ed for the New York Times. While I enjoyed the article, there was one reflection that made me bristle and I have been thinking about it for a while. His article is available at this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/opinion/21theroux.html
I believe Mr. Theroux may have missed something regarding his passing jibe at the “1 drop Hawaiian” Hawaiian. I would estimate that I readily fall into that category, being of seven ethnicities and when duly reciting them, I always say Hawaiian first. Not that in these modern times it makes me more “special”, but in the context of my ethnic background, I claim it first as a statement to generations of Hawaiians who were belittled, beaten, and otherwise demeaned for speaking and being Hawaiian. Out of all that I am, Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Scottish, German, English, and East Indian; Hawaiians are at the greatest disadvantage. While I very much doubt Mr. Theroux would ever jibe about the phrase “1 drop Black”, the ideology behind claiming ones heritage is the same.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/opinion/21theroux.html
I believe Mr. Theroux may have missed something regarding his passing jibe at the “1 drop Hawaiian” Hawaiian. I would estimate that I readily fall into that category, being of seven ethnicities and when duly reciting them, I always say Hawaiian first. Not that in these modern times it makes me more “special”, but in the context of my ethnic background, I claim it first as a statement to generations of Hawaiians who were belittled, beaten, and otherwise demeaned for speaking and being Hawaiian. Out of all that I am, Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Scottish, German, English, and East Indian; Hawaiians are at the greatest disadvantage. While I very much doubt Mr. Theroux would ever jibe about the phrase “1 drop Black”, the ideology behind claiming ones heritage is the same.
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