Awakening in the South Pacific

This article explores ways of combating structural racism, social colorism and the resulting racial financial inequality in Fiji and other post-colonial countries. This writing developed from conversations from several Youth Community Empowerment Volunteers in Fiji who were hearing their students and local friends say to them, "Your skin is white. It is beautiful. But mine is black. It's not nice." There is an obvious divide along racial lines in this and many other countries and addressing it directly is an act of empowerment. You: “Yadra!” (Morning!) Your iTaukei friend: “Yadra! Iko moce vinaka?” (Morning! Did you sleep well?) You: “Io. Iko?” (Yes. You?) Your iTaukei friend: “Io. Iko rairai vinaka!” (Yes. You look nice.) You: “Vinaka! Iko rairai vinaka talega!” (Thanks! You look nice too.) Your friend might be wearing the same worn sulu that she had on yesterday, but still you say it back. That’s what is done. If someone asks about you, then you ask about t

Peace Corps Fiji's Group 93 is fortunate to include a range of diverse racial identities that reflect our vast American heritage. Over the past year, I’ve gotten to converse with some of our current Volunteers about the unique challenges that our races and genders bring to our service. I’ll share here in the hope that we can gain some perspective on the experiences of our fellow Volunteers as well as navigate our own challenges in ways that make them easier to manage. Peace Corps Fiji Group 93 after 5 months in Fiji Despite “making do” with their Volunteer stipend as all must, male Volunteers who present as white may be perceived as being wealthy by Host Country Nationals. That perception of excess can lead to being targeted for robbery. It’s very common in Fiji to be asked “Where are you going?” or “Where do you live?” But Volunteers should exercise caution when responding and potentially have some vague or even downright misleading answers prepared for anyone o

Basic Empowerment: “No One Is Better Than You.” You: “Yadra!” (Morning!) Your iTaukei friend: “Yadra! Iko moce vinaka?” (Morning! Did you sleep well?) You: “Io. Iko?” (Yes. You?) Your iTaukei friend: “Io. Iko rairai vinaka!” (Yes. You look nice!) You: “Vinaka! Iko rairai vinaka talega!” (Thanks! You look nice too!) Your friend could be wearing the same worn-out sulu that she had on yesterday and might look like she fought a truck and lost, but still you say “You look nice too!” because that’s what is done. If someone compliments you, then you compliment them back. It’s only polite. People know that you’re just being polite. It’s the nice thing to do, but saying a compliment back does not carry the same weight as an unprovoked, direct statement. So when your student says, “Your white skin is beautiful” and you say, “Yours too,” that answer is received as a simple politeness, but not as a fact. While it’s a nice response that originates from wanting your student to believe that