Skeptickle

Today is the day after America’s Independence Day and I bet most people don’t find it hypocritical that we as a nation can deny other peace-loving nations that same right to independence. In general, I love what this country stands for, but I love justice and fairness far more. Our secondary education institutions are too willing to sugarcoat our nation’s past and glorify our past leadership. I don’t even remember the history of Hawaii mentioned in any of the schools I attended, up until last year.

One year ago today I arrived in Hawai’i to study for 1.5 months. While there, I learned a lot about its history and the culture that exists underneath the outer veneer of tourism. I now have such deep respect for native Hawaiian culture and those of native ancestry. I support their continued effort for sovereignty and possible independence.

Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono- "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness."

I can not fit all that I’ve learned and cared bout on this blog since it’s such a complicated situation that they are in, and no matter what, I will always be an outsider. But here are some quotes and resources if you are interested in a more realistic perspective of  Hawai’i:

The explicit political injury imposed upon the Hawaiian nationals from than to now, covering a period of 105 years include the denial of our nationality, our government, our control over our national lands, our control over immigration, our control over taxation, our control over banking and finance, the right to print our own money, the right to control foreign trade and foreign relations, the right to protect our `aina from environmental pollution, the right to control our own education system, the right to exercise jurisdiction over all of Hawai`i and territories under Hawai`i’s jurisdiction in 1893, the right to control our air space, to exercise jurisdiction over print, radio, television and satellite communication, the control over the ocean to the full extent recognized under the Law of the Sea Treaty, and membership in international governmental organizations including the United Nations.

Attached to this political injury came associated injuries to our health and welfare, cultural identity, education, economy, cultural practices, language, self-esteem, etc.

Thus, a wrong was done by the United States of America to the Nation of Hawai`i and her individual nationals and residents. We have suffered a long list of injuries, political, personal, social, economic, cultural, environmental, etc. Such injuries were both collective, that is, as a nation, and individual. - Perspective Through a Civil Rights Framework (Opihi.com)

Hawaii Nation

The call for Hawaiian sovereignty began 101 years ago with
Queen Lili`uokalani. It has been carried by Hawaiian citizens
throughout the generations, quietly at times, hidden at times,
suppressed at times, boisterous at times. It has weathered many
storms and has seen Hawai`i undergo a multitude of changes. But
the basic demand and the moral, historical and political foundation
remains the same – the right of a people and nation to self-
determination. – Straight Talk on Hawaiian Sovereighty

Queen Lili’uokalani

Iolani Palace- the center of politics during the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.

Those who had fallen

Tiananmen Square Protest 1989

20 years later…

Erica and Emily- click on picture to read about their Massachusetts wedding.

Just like after our last presidential election, two things happened today. One brought humankind forward and one held it back. President Obama announced his pick for Supreme Court Justice: Sonya Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Supreme Court nominee in U.S. history. She hasn’t been confirmed yet but everyone thinks it’s very likely.

The thing that held humanity back is something I’ve personally invested my time in to try to prevent. Today the California Supreme Court ruled that the voter-initiated ban on gay marriage still stands. In other words, our state constitution has been amended to support an effort to discriminate against a minority group of people. The definition of equal rights in the constitution has been altered in a way that implies that the relationships of the majority are somehow superior and more legitimate while the relationships of the minority…well, aren’t.  I admit that I’m straight which means that I have the freedom to marry (and did!), but that doesn’t stop me from empathizing. It’s so easy for certain straight people to feel antipathy since they’re not homosexual and are (obviously) against it, but we’ve all felt love or the need to be with someone for the rest of our lives. Being married give you a different feeling and a ton more rights than a domestic partnership, and I’ve been in both. It just makes no sense to prevent someone from having the freedom to live their life when it’s not hurting anyone else one bit! There is continued effort to change things around again and I will not give up hope. Other states have already changed their constitutions to accept gay marriage, and hopefully soon it will change at the crucial federal level as well.

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I’m watching Oprah right now (which fyi, I don’t usually do) and they’re discussing the topic of class in America now that we’re in the middle of this recession. This is a touchy topic even in the best of times. I remember reading about how the New York Times printed a story about it several years ago and there was a huge uproar from people who believe that this country doesn’t have a class-based society. I guess it’s easier to bring the topic up now because so many people are effected all over the country so it’s much harder to ignore. I find the opinion of Professor Robert Reich from UC Berkeley very valuable. Note to self: must check out his book “Supercapitalism”.  I think that there are two ways to view class and the best way is to combine both perspectives. One is subjective and the other is more based on actual numbers. For example, one household may make over $100k a year and most people would think that would automatically make this household at least upper-middle class. However, this household may experience something very different from common assumptions. After taxes, fixed costs (necessities), and perhaps living in an area that already has high cost of living, that household may barely scrape by every month on bills. Another important example is education. A college graduate may make about as much as people in the lower classes and may even live like they’re in poverty, but most people would consider them in the middle class.