Maybe Freeman was right after all

$

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:16:25 +0100

Was Freeman scared that Mead’s would bum him out? Is that why he published his book five years after Mead’s passed way in 1978? Likewise did Mead’s live in fear that her fraud contradictions would be discovered? Both so called archaeologists painted controversial pictures of Samoa; in my eyes they are were both dubbed. How can they represent Samoa when they are ‘outsiders’ they will never understand the ways of these people. They already knew what they wanted to depict before they started their studies. Freeman's account was somewhat more accurate 'yes' as he spoke the language and lived with the people for several years, however without Mead’s his story would not be possible. I don't believe he meant to come across as offensive in book depicting violence in his Nature vs. Nurture representation of the culture. However he does paint Samoa as violent beings which can be seen in every culture whether you are black yellow white or whatever... so yes thanks freeman for stating the obvious the human race is a bunch of violent critters. You and Mead have both got what you wanted and that was profit. Aloha. - Juzzy

absolutely right

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:01:59 +0100

Not maybe freeman hit the nail on the head. - gman

Then We Are the Perfect Warriors, Maybe More so than the Spartans!---

Tue, 06 May 2008 05:51:24 +0100

Violence begets Violence-- throw them in a fighting pen and let the world see, what kind of a fighter a Samoan male really is! Fight with Fist, With Fury-- but Fight for your life-- The Spartans protected their Constitution,the very thing that gave them life. It reasons to say, What gives a Samoan Life? Is it Love of Country, Of Family, Of Culture, Of Purpose? What will make a Samoan male fight for his very existance. Please don't tell us to drop our of manhood. We see display and means is news, but overall the male Samoan must protect his own at all means thru all ends. Even if it means death--- to that end Samoan Males stand up, take back your country from the thieves and robbers who pollute the air of your land, who bow their heads to gods who do not hear and curse the land of your fathers. Men of Samoa stand up and protect your country damn it! Reurn to Land, Return to the graves of your ancestors-- Redeem them from the pit of hell and destroy the alter of war, of senselessness, of the provacateurs, of shame---- return to your place in this society for God is near! If Men we're Men, none of this would have happened. Teach and Protect Always If it takes a Village to raise a child, then beating the child by the village is just reward for waywardness Spare the Rod, ruin the Child------- Speak Life Into the Community, But Fight to Save as many as you can - this is true

Substantial Evidence

Mon, 05 May 2008 18:49:06 +0100

Bottomline as the writer suggests, Freeman, whoever the heck he is, was a sexually frustrated palagi who had nothing better to do. Kamehameha, I am sensing some animosity towards news in general from your end. Point to note, the article is in the 'opinion' section, as opposed to other news, anyhow i think the point being made is that there is evidence to suggest that Samoan is a violent society. Ai lava e solomua i le au fasi koalua le deny o lea mea. Let light shine upon our beautiful country. - Tutorial Freak

Life goes on...

Mon, 05 May 2008 06:19:16 +0100

What did the discoveries said about our people when they first landed in the islands? Friendly people! the navigators and so on...it is the same with writers, visitors and even us Samoans. We draw our conclusions from observations, interviews, researchs and personal experiences. To make a story sells, it got to have some meat in it...like, conflicts, love, betrayal, killing, abuse and so forth. The only people knows about the real story of Samoa are the Samoan who lived and experienced the real Samoan life. So, Freeman and Mead did what they needed to do to meet the expectations of their supporters. - Jack

What Rubbish...This is an Editorial Not an Article

Sun, 04 May 2008 08:37:09 +0100

First of all, stop this rubbish about Mead and Freeman. The problem with this article is that it should be in the editorial/opinion section or is this site all opinion no real journalism. This article left us with the idea as though we Samoans have only 2 options to describe ourselves. Its either Mead or Freeman. When do we see a major newspaper in America, England, New Zealand or Australia presents one persons opinion as the conclusive and comprehensive theory on those countries? NONE. Yes none because no one even Mead or Freemans research should be dignified with a crappy article that somehow suggest these 2 clowns were able to figure all us out. The fact is no one can. So while they have their points, so does my alcoholic uncle. We should not give credence and validation to these people just because they wrote books. No anthropologist in the world would have the balls to make such statements about American or New Zealanders, why would we allow them to pigeon hole us. Meads/Freema's work should be treated just like my aunty's theory on Samoan Ma'i Aitu. Please when you call yourself a news organization we expect you to have a little higher standard of journalism but not this crap. And if you are a real news organization you will print this, but if you are not you will delete this ...So there you are. aloha (edited out unsubstantiated personal accusations) - Kamehameha

from a Teenage view point

Sat, 03 May 2008 02:54:59 +0100

As a teenager of the twenty first centery and of Samoan blood i have see and felt the stoke what it means to be in hurt from physical and emotional, the view of things that have invaded our peaceful Island it is not that we Samoans are violent people but its during this time as a country develops from young age to the Samoa it is now. We will see a lot of changes in the thinking ability of our people from crime to the everyday things from work to home to the general public they are points of seeing the events of today ................................This is the radical generation the bible talks about where bothers will no longer see the brothers or sisters as they are but just opposite. Because at the end of the day Samoans are Samoans from the young to the old but the only person that can answer if we are a violent people is the the one who designed and created us in his own image the father of all heaven and earth.There is no one on this earth that can judge who we are, for we will be judge accordingly. Thank you Newsline and Cherelle keep up the good work, a reporter always gets the best out of its people as you can see the report has made many talk but a few have commented but a lot have ponded on the idea. but what can i say i am just a Teenager. Samoa O loo matala pea faitotoa ma ala i le Ali o Ali, le faaola Have we forgotten our foundation Ia mania o tou matua ae ola mauto le fanau soifua - seek the light

Right you are!

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:11:27 +0100

You make an excellent point . Freeman was the perfect observer since he was from the outside world and not brought up in our culture like we did and which we considered somewhat normal. Some of our laws are probably too lax in addressing violence and domestic problems in Samoa and so now we are at the point where youth are not afraid to go all out to hurt others. - Tone

Not all Samoans are violent

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:45:38 +0100

While researches of such calibre are credible for academic purposes and maybe a few others, I believe it is fair to say that it should not represent the whole or the majority of Samoa if you like. moreso, should not be taken too seriously as they are usually littered with defections and inconsistencies. In that case, how would you like if I say to you that you are a violent person because my research says that most Samoans I questioned says so??? Im sure you will never agree with me. Simirlarly, you should not judge the whole tree by looking at only one branch. These researches are just merely for academic purposes only and only for that matter. What Mead and Freeman did in their respective reports were academically credible because they have to follow academic criterias so they can get a probable result. While I am not condeming these findings, I would like to emphasize that all similar reports have disadvantages just as much as advantages. Meaning, they have flaws and inconsistencies for example, if they have conducted a survey of say 1000 people around Apia area, these 1000 can not be accurately represent what 180,000 people will correctly have to say, except they should interview everyone which is the most costly but more accurate measure. Secondly, in almost all surveys, not everyone tells the truth and it makes things even harder to analyse and believe. I for one have conducted many surveys and I am sure there were some lies written by respondents, hence I do not believe all the findings. Thirdly, responses are usually based on personal experiences or beliefs pertaining to those particular period in time. For example, those interviewed in the 1980s to voice their opinion of violence in societies would contrast immensely compared to those conducted in the 21st century. So, to sum it all up. lets do not take findings too seriously to stamp our own narrow point if not too biased. Rather, things happen in various circumstances and all variety of reasons. While the analogy of a "fly ruining the whole bottle of oil" seems acceptable to some, I prefer to put it like, one bad branch cannot represent the good health of the roots or the trunk or the whole tree for that matter Ia manuia le faaiuga ole vaiaso - Alibaba

oh yeah??????????????????????????????

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:14:22 +0100

Yes, you wrote good, it's just that M.Meads to me was a real joke including her researches and writings. I feel very sorry for those Samoan students that use that lady's stuff as references. - ace

seek the light

Fri, 02 May 2008 06:28:58 +0100

well it not just Samoa that this is happening to the world as a whole it has been written in the power of the word that the most high had given ........................this is truly the times of the end. turn from the ways of man and seek the lord your God for there is still time dig the pages of light and you will find the door to heaven and see the truth of the world today - seek the light

is'nt this a bit too generally stated

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:53:50 +0100

Cherelle - you can't generalize your ideas by suggesting that Samoa is a violent society. Not all Samoans are violent and perhaps Freeman's idea was rejected because he based his conclusion on a few incidents - just like yours. If you agree to disagree with me, then let's assume that all Iraqi and people of other countries filled with daily violence are violent people. If we allow ourselves to think that, then we're promoting stereotyping and that will lead to discriminatory and racial divisive. I think we just need to enforce our laws and orders better in the night clubs and around Apia. - eyeaye

maybe freeman was right after all

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:30:44 +0100

Lacks teeth. Mead & Freeman focused on what they wanted to achieve. Ta for the good read, always find yr articles stimulating. - Joy