My integrity
Is always in question
When I learn of the suppression of
Ethnic people who suffer
Simply because of who they are
You would think by now
I’d be immune to historical
History of the plight
Of many ethnic cultures
But the degradation
They endured was never ending.....

Losing your identity
Leaves you restless and unsure
As to the expectations of others
The majority of  those that understand
Losing ones identity makes you feel
Insignificant like you don’t belong

I have been brought up in a society
Were Maoridom is acceptable
As part of our culture our lives
Yet I am not a Maori
It is simply a way of life

On one side Maori
On the other European
And in between we’re do I fit in
My parents enforced our culture in us
But as children we denied our heritage
We were young we didn’t know any better....

But as I grew older I learnt
more about my culture and it’s history
I no longer turn my back on my culture
I embrace it with all that I am
A proud Pacific Islander
I stand before my forefathers
And embrace their legacy
Of who we are as people of the pacific

And as quoted in Moana
“Voyagers of a never ending story”

I am a Cook Islander and I am proud to be me

Written by:

Kaila George