A Stone's Throw Away...
Oi, sole...So, I suppose I knew the latest entry I wrote would've sparked some interest...But I didn't know I'd get totally reamed out!...Nah, just kidding...Thanks for the advice everyone...Just to let you know, I didn't see him this weekend...Though, who knows about next?!...As important as all y'all's guidance is to me, I'll do by Jon Bon Jovi and believe "it's my life"...The only person on my side was Kourt...I guess us girls gotta stick together ;-)
Oh, and I just wanted to get this off my chest, although I don't want to upset anybody...Especially my loyal, supportive readers...But I never realized that I was the spokesperson for the entire gay community!...Eh, anyways...I still love you guys...
This post should be much more cheerful...And simple...The pics in this entry were taken during a class activity...Since my students are ESL, I try to do as much vocabulary activities as possible...And I try my best to make it interesting everyday...On this particular day, the students acted as mannequins to portray an assigned word...Like a New York City storefront display, they had to express the word with mannequins...Oh, and each presentation had to have a Holocaust tone...It was a cool lesson plan...I'm proud of myself :-)
The issue I wanted to discuss tonight should be brief...In fact, I have a feeling that I may have even talked about this issue before...At one of the football games a few weeks ago, a fight broke out between the students of Samoana High School, Tafuna High School, and Leone High School...I heard it was a pretty viscious, exciting fight...A bloodbath of carnage...Gangs of teenage boys fist fightin' their lil' hearts out...I mean, like 3oo...Without the swords and sandals...But there was a lot of blood, screaming, and testosterone..."Spartans!...Tonight we die in Hell!"...Oh, there was also a bunch of rock throwing...Which brings us to our topic for this blog entry...It seems to me that Samoans love to throw rocks...Er, they at least accept the throwing of rocks...I see it all the time...During lunch on campus, students pickin' up rocks and throwin' them at eachother...On my walk home, children carrying stones and chucking 'em at other children for the fun of it...Kids here on island throw rocks during playful interactions and angry battles...The other night some kids were tossin' stones at eachother and gigglin' away...Holy was tellin' me about a fight he got into with another kid where him and the kid ended up chuckin' rocks in self-defense...Essentially, the heaving of rocks is normal here...And that's odd to me...I mean, is it just me or are most children in the states taught at a very young age not to throw rocks?...It's sorta crammed into our brains our whole lives...And it becomes second nature to us NOT to throw rocks...I don't think I have ever thrown a rock at somebody...Sure, maybe I've thrown rocks into lakes or maybe even at birds or something...But have I ever pitched a stone at a fellow human being?...I think not...Have I ever lobbed a pebble at somebody just for giggles?...Um, no...Have I ever heaved a boulder at a person in rage?...No, siree...Throwing rocks is dangerous...And, like for most American children, it's been reiterated to me thousands of times that I just don't throw rocks...Not at other people that's for sure...So, why do Samoans do it?...Actually, why do many other cultures around the world do it?...If you think about it, how many times have you turned on CNN and saw villagers of a foreign country hurling stones at eachother?...Or tossin' rocks at army tanks and soldiers?...Sometimes there's riots of rock throwin'...In the Middle East, it seems like it's a war zone of pebble flinging...Really, it seems to be accepted in many other places...Do they not realize that someone could get hurt?...Or is that exactly the reason why they throw 'em?...I suppose I don't truly have an answer for y'all...I don't want to sit here and say that they're more violent or brutish or untamed as Americans...(Even if I do sometimes feel that way)...Maybe it's because they're never taught that throwing rocks is unsafe...Or maybe it's because they are taught that throwing rocks is trecherous and does solve disputes...Or maybe it's because they don't have guns to fight eachother with...I mean, if the USA didn't have guns, I betcha we'd see stones flyin' through the air 24/7...Either way, I'm gonna keep tellin' these Samoan kids to cease the lobbing of pebbles...It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt...
These darn teenagers and their ukuleles...When I was a teenager we'd write notes or doodle in class...Maybe listen to our CD walkmans...What happened to the good ol' days?!...Now, all the teens are playin' their ukuleles in class...
Top Five Horror Films that Traumatized my Childhood:5. Pet Semetary = There's two scenes in this flick that scared the beejeezes outta lil' Joey...First, a small boy gets run over by a semi...I never looked at that semi filled, busy road by the land up north the same again...Second, that evil small boy comes back to life and, while hiding underneath a bed, slashes a victim's achilles heel...I never stepped outta bed the same again either...
4. Poltergiest = Y'all remember that spooky-as-hell old white guy with the black suit and hat?...Yeah, he creeped the crap outta me, too...I still have nightmares of him comin' to the door and grinnin' like a corpse..."Carol Anne, step into the light!"...
3. Audrey Rose = Now this was some random 70's horror film...In the vain of The Omen and Carrie and The Exorcist, this one's about a possessed kid...All I really remember is that fiery car crash scene...With the young girl pounding on the windows and screeching in agony...And who doesn't get chills when saying that name?...Even the name Audrey Rose is sinister...
2. IT = Okay, so this is the 2nd of three Stephen King movies on my list...I suppose he has a gift with expressing the eerie, disturbing, imaginative nightmares of children...Of course, this story had that menacing, wicked clown that would snatch children away when they least expect it...Like when innocently looking down a sewer vent in a nice, quiet, sunny suburb...Eeesh!...Mommy!!!...
1. The Shining = Sure, the small girls in those blue dresses sayin' "come play with us Danny" was frightening...And those moments of Danny murmuring "redrum" was terrifying...But the most horrifying fear this scary film tapped was my fear of an alcoholic father...I mean, I'm not sayin' I thought my dad would go all "Here's Johnny" on me or my family...But the terrorizing, threatening, brutal effects of alcoholism was more petrifying to me than any monster, ghost, or serial killer...Besides, doesn't my dad kinda look like Jack ;-)
Hey, I just have a quick question for y'all...The teachers are supposed to dress up for Halloween and I have no idea what to be...I need it to be cheap and easy to wear...All I can think of right now is to wrap tin foil around my body and (voila!) I'm leftovers...Or cover myself with toilet paper and I can be a mummy...Anyways, give me some ideas...Once again, I can't really buy anything...Unless it's small and can be found at a grocery store in American Samoa...
Alright, everybody...I gotta go...Thanks for the support in reading my weird thoughts about this crazy island...What do you guys think of rock throwing in Samoa?...Why do the kids do it?...Why does it seem like so many places around the world adore chucking stones?...And can you believe I actually wrote about rocks today?!...Oh, and what scary movie traumatized your childhood?...Is Stephen King on your list as much as mine?...And do you think some of you were a little harsh with me on the last blog entry?...Am I a gay spokesperson?...Should I be more responsible?...Are all eyes on me and the gay community?...Okay...I love you all and thank you so much for reading...Missin' y'all like crazy...Much alofas!...
-JOE
"Either way, you probably won't get off this island alive."
-from Jurassic Park III
posted by Samoa Joe at 4:11 AM
13 Comments:
I am going to leave a nice fluffy comment this week...
when i was in 6th grade Bussy and i got in a fight w/ these boys on the playground after school and a boy (whom i will never forget his name) started chucking rocks at us...it was terrifying...it felt like we were running for our lives-and when they hit you it really hurt- it sounds kinda funny now but we were really traumatized so yeah i think rock throwing comes from the earliest most natural tool for self defense but it frickin' hurts- fight rock throwing ;)
I don't think anyone was saying you are a spokesperson for the gay community- but like in Desperate Housewives last week (did you watch it?) when Susan met the gay neighbors she was like ohh...yeah it's great to meet you...and i watch cable tv...and i get it....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53YOSg1o9c
point being stereotypes happen-so you may be the "real life example" for people who don't have a lot of exposure with the gay community or who have gay friends- no pressure ;) just kidding-
scariest movies as a kid...i would agree w/ Pet Semetary, of course Audrey Rose, The shining...for me Silence of the Lambs (the first one) and Children of the corn...i am such a wimp though that i couldn't watch Freddy Kruegger-
love ya
sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me...i guess there is a little bit of truth in that saying
Rocks? hmmm...
It shouldn't be done for safety reasons, if one looks at it from the outside. The school should do everything it can to minimize the rock throwing.
However, from a kids point of view, many cultures do not have the same teachings American Children have in their childhood. Many factors play into this problem. Many children from the 3rd world, do not have parents. From an early age children are forced to grow up and learn to fend for themselves. Also, in school and growing up, bullies are in abundance. One must do whatever it takes to survive. Even in USA. Perhaps you lucked out, but bullies exist in the USA and need to be dealt with by any means nessessary. Teachers, administration, security guards will only help to a certain extent.
Perhaps Joe, instead of Samoans leading monogamous relationships, they throw rocks at each other. Different culture Joe. Perhaps you should embrace a culture in its entirety. LoL jk, just giving ya a hard time.
About the Ambassador to the GGC (Global Gay Community). Do not take it personal Joe. Loved ones always have higher standards than others. Heterosexuals and homosexuals alike, receive this treatment. Look at it this way: I believe when seeing homosexuals, women, blacks, Latinos, or any other group defy the status-quo, i feel like congratulating them for their effort to not confine themselves to box. I feel the sight of a person who does not strive to fit in a category, label, or box is refreshing. I find it intriguing. I want to get to know the person.
I wasn't offended by the statement, I did not perceive an accusation of you being the gay spokesperson was the intent. Simply a desire of wanting to hold a loved one to a higher standard. Cheering a loved one to defy a popular perception of gays.
Always,
Presque Parfait
sheesh, i can't catch a break. apparently my opinion is wrong...how's that for odd...
anywho, throwing rocks = not cool! eek i think it's scary!! i'm with shawn, i'd be terrified! however, as you pointed out, you do kind of see that a lot in other countries, and i just think it goes back to the fact that it's probably a primitive form of self-defense that just never had anyone to curb it. either way, i'd tell them to stop too! haha.
movies that traumatized me as a child...hmmmm...gremlins for sure and probably the wizard of oz, and just anything else scary. i hate scary movies so much, so i generally avoid them. but i definitely remember those creepy ass little furry balls with scary teeth!!!!
oh, and finally, i don't think you're a spokesperson for the gay community either, really at all. your adventures (and misadventures ;)) are actually quite light on the drama and craziness compared to the other tons of gay friends i had in college. so don't worry about being a role model, just live your life. no sweat, Joe :)
One bonus about the stone throwing is that all the nasty stray dogs will keep there distance from. You just need to make like you're picking up a rock and they mostly back off.
I guess I should "fess up" about being the culprit of the "gay ambassador" controversy...ok so maybe I was just in shock...can you blame me...here I am used to reading this nice innocent blog about a nice, cute, funny Enlgish teacher in American Samoa,and his many adventures in Church,etc. and looking at cute pictures of talented Samoan teenagers...then BAM...I'm reading an xxx-rated blog about your sex life...give an old lady a heart attack... SO I apologize you're right you shouldn't be the Ambassador for the whole gay community..unless of course you want to be.
I just don't get Samoan "culture" at all..all that piety, churches on every street corner...only to condone fighting, rock throwing, open marraige and who knows what all...Maybe you should go home...
Nellie G.
Joe, you're doing your thing. You are learning about a culture unlike what you were brought up in. I think what you are doing there is awesome! I applaud you. What you do is your business and if you want to add some color commentary to what goes on behind closed doors so be it.
Maybe Nellie G. is right, maybe you should go home and stop making American Samoa a better place.
Nellie said, "I just don't get Samoan "culture" at all..all that piety, churches on every street corner...only to condone fighting, rock throwing, open marraige and who knows what all...Maybe you should go home..."
Go home to high schools where kids can't feel safe. They have police officers there. Kids kill one another with guns when something doesn't go their way. They kill innocent teachers, students, parents, anyone. They can buy guns anywhere. Go back home to where its easy to buy drugs in the parking lot. Where teachers have sex with students until they are caught, otherwise they go on molesting. Go home where segregation is beginning to show its ugly face again in places like Jenna. Go home to places where everyday you can turn on the TV and watch every dysfunctional family dynamic on Maury Povich, Montell, Oprah, Dr. Phil....Go home where Maury's shows are all about paternity tests..go home because its better to be shot dead in the classroom than to have a rock thrown at you...go home because American Samoa is such a bad place to be with all its bad bad things going on.....PLEASE NELLIE - GET A LIFE and stop your self righteous bull....now back to Joe, I enjoy reading about your exciting little adventures in American Samoa....if someone doesn't like what they are reading, close your browser and go somewhere else..........
born in the US but
raised in American Samoa
and loved every minute of it.....
now working in Sr. Management with a Masters in Civil Engineering, thanks to my upbringing in American Samoa, and the Samoan teachers and US American palagi contracted educators that taught me......
as well as my education @ ASCC, USC, Univ. of Maryland....
Kurt Epenesa
Henderson, Nevada
well...it's nice to hear everone's views (but shout out to Nellie i think you are the one now being misjudged). I think we all think what you are doing Joe is admirable and awesome- the only reason you went to AS was to experience a different culture- take from it what you care to...
I don't think we need to measure the injustice of violence from one place to another- violence, crime, guns, rocks, machetes...does it really matter??
I agree with Shawn. Is it me or do people who demand tolerance turn out being the most active bigots on the block? Irony is such bitter bliss.
This is not about which culture is better. Joe's feelings are what is in play here. What Joe wants out of life is the core of his blog. He shouldn't betray his own morals and desires for sake of being "open-minded" and trying new things. Aristotle said it best, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
Joe, everyone seems to know what you want. I suggest ignoring everyone and do what makes you happy. Many will cheer you on to do what is most rebellious for the purpose of making others feel uncomfortable. Be strong and be steadfast in your path to happiness. Never, let anyone stop you or encourage you to do something without your heart and mind wanting it. Doing something in the name of showing off how rebellious you can be, in my view, is a childish act. I see this type of behavior within the gay community more than I would like to. I believe a culture of people needing to be as different as possible to attract attention is growing and is a scary thought. Tolerance on both sides should be exercised. Religious people are good people and most are willing to be tolerant, if only one could begin intellectual dialog and debate with them. I have no sympathy for smear merchants and character assassins.
Presque Parfait :o)
Once again...at the risk of raising even more "hackles" I will try to apologize to you JOE
I was being fasetious when I said you said go home...you know I support you in anything you do. I have confidence that ultimately you will find what is right for you...afterall I've met your Mom and family and they are such wonderful people...how could turn out bad? I guess I was just trying to give you a little "motherly advise" and you did ask people's opinion advice.
p.s. your blog is turning into a soap opera...can we please move on to another subject!
Oh I forgot how is your Play going? Are you videoing it? I would love to see it if your are.
Okay okay, looks like everyone is beginning to turn this into a debate and attack in the most eloquent way they can, especially the gay lobbyists...and that is fine, but as the only person in this thread that is Samoan, being 1/2, I was basically sticking up for my culture. Nellie said, "I don't get Samoan" - then went on to say how Joe should probably go home. I wanted her to see that missing out on finishing his assignment would not really change anything, coming back to the US isn't really any better than American Samoa. Of course, its everything American Samoa is not, but that was his whole reason for going there. To experience something different. She was judging Samoa's bad elements, and not looking at the good things, or the great things Joe has done in the short time he's been there.
Before the intellectuals beginng dissecting this thread evenmore, let me just say, Nellie - I was speaking from emotion, so I apologize. Please be open minded and learn how to see things from different angles, there is good in all....anyhow,
Joe, thanks for sharing your adventures with the World Wide Web , it is here for anyone to read, and thus we can all enjoy and comment on it...
Malo lava le fa'amalosi!!!!
Kurt
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya
C'mon everyone!! sing with me! :)
Someone's singing Lord, kumbaya
Someone's singing Lord, kumbaya
Someone's singing Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbayah
Someone's laughing, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's laughing, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's laughing, Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya
Presque Parfait
Almost Perfect, but not!
Oh Lord, Kumba Ya!
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