Aloha? Oy! Palin Has Problems With Hawaiian Minorities?
6 12 2009The New Yorker had a very interesting article today that points out another little gaffe from Sarah Palin’s father, Chuck Heath. This time he points out that her brief stint at the University of Hawaii may have had another cause, beside Palin’s complaint of it being “a little too perfect.” He spoke to Shushannah Walshe and Scott Conroy for their book “Sarah from Alaska.”
Palin, though notoriously ill-travelled outside the United States, did journey far to the first of the four colleges she attended, in Hawaii. She and a friend who went with her lasted only one semester. “Hawaii was a little too perfect,” Palin writes. “Perpetual sunshine isn’t necessarily conducive to serious academics for eighteen-year-old Alaska girls.” Perhaps not. But Palin’s father, Chuck Heath, gave a different account to Conroy and Walshe. According to him, the presence of so many Asians and Pacific Islanders made her uncomfortable: “They were a minority type thing and it wasn’t glamorous, so she came home.” In any case, Palin reports that she much preferred her last stop, the University of Idaho, “because it was much like Alaska yet still ‘Outside.’ ”
Oh, those dang “minority type things”… they’re so not glamorous. (Hmmm. I wonder how native Hawaiians felt when minority types decided to show up and take over their islands, to introduce all that ”glamour.” ) At least the Asians paid six figures to have her come speak to them for 90 minutes. So maybe they have been forgiven.
In a delightful bit of poetic karma, we note that she was kept out of national office by one of those very Hawaiian minority type things that make her so uncomfortable.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:41 PM
@ trisha #74: Des Moines, Iowa population is 82.3% white. The State of Iowa population overall is 93.9% white.
Found the info at the US Census Bureau website “QuickFacts”.
quickfacts.census.gov
December 6th, 2009 at 10:46 PM
And here’s a thought: Sarah kept such a deep tan while in Hawaii, she was mistaken for a native girl, felt insulted, then left in a huff.
December 6th, 2009 at 11:49 PM
“In a delightful bit of poetic karma, we note that she was kept out of national office by one of those very Hawaiian minority type things that make her so uncomfortable.”
So on point.
The irony is superb.
December 6th, 2009 at 11:57 PM
“They were a minority type thing and it wasn’t glamorous, so she came home.” – Chuck Heath
—————–
Regardless of the specific meaning intended, Mr. Heath’s words are disgraceful. Sarah and her family appear so proud of wrapping themselves with the cloak of patriotism (sometimes literally, as with the U.S. flag). Yet, it’s pure irony that as often as they spew the cheapness of their words, they appear ignorant of the REAL patriotism demonstrated by this “minority type thing”.
Tomorrow/today is Dec. 7 — Pearl Harbor Day. Well before 9/11, we had the images of Pearl Harbor as the most devastating day in American military history. This event was the impetus for the U.S. entering WWII, and “let us never forget” as the popular quote went… but indulge me, while I put a different slant to these words.
What is still somewhat unknown by many or not mentioned enough is the REAL patriotism shown by the U.S. Army’s 442nd Infantry Regiment, a unit composed largely of Asian-Americans, mostly Japanese-Americans (including 3000 volunteers from Hawaii), who trained and eventually fought in Europe during WWII. I wonder if Chuck Heath knows about this “minority type thing” combat team who went on to become THE MOST DECORATED unit in U.S. military history, including 9,486 Purple Hearts and 21 Medals of Honor (the military’s highest decoration). I won’t mention the number who actually gave their lives for their country (the same whose government interned 110,000 of mostly Japanese-American CITIZENS behind barbed wire), but if you’re curious, just Google “442nd Infantry Regiment”, and you’d do well to appreciate more of what REAL patriotism is all about. Words are cheap; actions speak the loudest truth. I don’t suspect that Chuck Heath and his daughter Sarah can bother with this little bit of history… just not very “glamorous” perhaps.
Finally, vis-a-vis Hawaii, here are the words of the 442nd Infantry regimental unit:
“Four-Forty-Second Infantry— We’re the boys of Hawai’i nei— We’ll fight for you And the Red, White and Blue, And go to the front… And back to Honolulu-lulu. Fighting for dear old Uncle Sam Go for broke! HOOH! We don’t give a damn! We’ll round up the Huns At the point of our guns, And vict’ry will be ours! GO FOR BROKE! FOUR-FOUR-TWO! GO FOR BROKE! FOUR-FOUR-TWO! And vict’ry will be ours!”
“Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry.”
December 6th, 2009 at 11:59 PM
I meant to add that the quote in my last post, “Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry” are the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, when he finally announced the formation of the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Would anyone who has lived in Hawaii like to explain Kill Haole Day? Haole is the Native Hawaiian term for Caucasians, and when I used to live there as a Navy brat in the 80s, it was an unofficial day of harassing all white kids in public schools. By harassing I am being politically correct. If the animus were directed at more properly-termed minorities in the Mainland, it would be called a hate crime, and justifiably so.
Look, Hawaiians are a delightful people but there is a tremendous amount of snobbishness if you’re not a part of the native culture. It is not one of those inferred preferences based on race, either. It is palpable in many social situations. Years later, when a classmate of President Obama read “Dreams from My Father”, he was shocked to find out that his pal had felt uncomfortable due to his race as a boy. The man said (paraphrasing), “we were all something, so it didn’t occur to me that Barry felt out of place”.
But people consider that an 18-year old Sarah Palin should feel completely at home given this cultural atmosphere? I don’t think this is one you can blame on a sheltered girl who married a Yup’ik Eskimo, who despite his blue eyes, is tied to the native Alaskan culture up to his eyeteeth.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:05 AM
Todd is up to his eyeteeth in native Alaskan culture? According to the ADN, he is 1/8th Yup’ik. There is nothing to indicate that he has done anything to preserve the language and traditions of his 1/8th heritage.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Is Todd really of the Alaskan native culture? Has anyone even validated that?
December 7th, 2009 at 1:40 AM
FE1,
I don’t live in Hawaii, but I have visited frequently (including the timeframe in which Sarah Palin attended U. of HI) and have family members (in-law) who have relatives who are born/raised/live in Hawaii. I also have had a number of friends (mostly white) who have and/or still live in the islands.
First, the so-called tradition has faded in recent years, such that it is hardly a “tradition” any longer. The hazing/harassment, incidentally, is certainly a misnomer in that nobody has ever actually been “killed”, unlike what has taken place at say fraternity initiations/hazings on college campuses.
Notwithstanding, harassment and violent behavior of this sort is not right — which might be a big reason for the demise of this “tradition”. Fortunately, there have been many right-thinking Hawaiians who never favored nor practiced any harassment. The practice, having come out of the 50’s, would not pass for moral scrutiny — but neither did other practices of discrimination from the same era. (As example, lynchings of blacks during the Civil Rights era in the 1960’s were significant, despite anti-lynching legislation having been passed by Congress in the early 1920’s.)
The point here is that there are going to be “bad apples”, and it’s unfair to generalize and stereotype based on the actions of a small minority. I don’t judge all whites/blacks, Christians/Muslims, pro/choice advocates by the actions of a few who appear on news sound bites.
Also, I don’t like the use of your word “blame” regarding describing Sarah (”sheltered girl”). Who mentioned blame, and why is it relevant? Do you think that assigning Sarah’s response to being in the minority in Hawaii is something that requires pinning “blame” on what you call “this cultural atmosphere”? Is this another example of Sarah being victimized?? How would you account for the fact that there are many white students who seem to do just fine in the same “cultural atmosphere”?
December 7th, 2009 at 4:11 AM
Yet the only news I see on Ms. P is the worshiping book lines. Didn’t even hear of her father’s gaffe. Then again I walk away from any news on her. My stomach can only take so much.
December 7th, 2009 at 4:39 AM
Papa Heath didn’t say Sarah was hazed by native Hawaiian kids. He said she didn’t find the minority thing glamorous. I think if he meant to say she was picked on for being white, he surely would have said it. Palin loves to be portrayed as the victim.
December 7th, 2009 at 5:12 AM
@58 bubs
Well I want my pied-a-terre on Minetta Lane back, too. Also.
: )
December 7th, 2009 at 6:34 AM
I can’t remember where I read it, but there was a blog post by another Alaskan who also went to Hawaii for schooling. He used the phrase “culture shock” to reflect his experience – and makes a good point with that phrase. However, he stuck it out and learned from the experience, whereas SP left for “more like Alaska, but ‘outside.’”
All I can see from Heath’s comment is that at best, SP has a tendency to “get out” when the going gets tough. Things haven’t changed much since, either.
December 7th, 2009 at 6:57 AM
@Fe1:
I was born and raised in Hawaii, and the tradition you speak of is fairly inexplicable. There were other days at the end of the school year targeting Asian kids. I am haole and was never hurt, or saw anyone harmed. It was more of a psychological thing. Military brats would have gotten it the worst, as the military is fairly disliked in the islands, and I will admit I had no kind words for the military growing up. The U.S. Army imprisoned the Queen of Hawaii in 1893 and in 1898 claimed control of the islands, all at the request of a handful of wealthy white landowners who were descendants of the early Christian missionaries. The Hawaiian language was banned from use, and Hawaiians forcefully taken off their land. The US military now controls a huge percentage of land in Hawaii, including sacred sites that are used from target practice. The bad feelings run very deep.
In no way does this excuse such violence, though it may help to explain it. The incredible ethnic diversity in Hawaii for the most part works with relative harmony, and leads many of us from there to feel culture shock when we come to places like Nebraska, where I currently live. Towns with growing Latino populations here are experiencing terrible ethnic problems and I am stunned at the language I hear used to refer to Latinos. But that isn’t “culture shock,” and we should just call it what it is.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:04 AM
Hawaii washed up Palin.
Hawaii gave us President Obama.
Go Hawaii!
December 7th, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Miss Demeanor: unfortunately, I never saw the Blue Band =( Sad for me.
December 7th, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Not to mention, also, too, that she was kept from winning Miss Alaska by one of those there, ethnic types, an African-American Female, Maryline Blackburn, from Fairbanks, no less – way North of Wasilla, too, also. Life is just not fair to that white girl.
December 7th, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Hi, Jack. Thanks for your civil reply. I realize people with my viewpoints are in the minority in this blog, and it’s not my life’s purpose to go to blogs to “rabble-rouse”, but our nation is fast losing its ability to TALK to each other. That should be anathema to all people regardless of politics.
Who mentioned blame, and why is it relevant? Do you think that assigning Sarah’s response to being in the minority in Hawaii is something that requires pinning “blame” on what you call “this cultural atmosphere”? Is this another example of Sarah being victimized?? How would you account for the fact that there are many white students who seem to do just fine in the same “cultural atmosphere”?
Blame as in target her for derision for being unworldly. Her first real trip outside (not including her visits to her grandparents in Wash State) was to Hawaii. That is typical for an American girl of working middle-class origins. Nevertheless, people here and in other blogs seem horrified that she felt out of place, and didn’t gel instantly with the local populace, despite evidence that our own multi-racial, well-traveled president was discomfitted too.
The point is that everyone has an unique and unrepeatable reaction to cultures. It says something that she was willing to make the leap to Hawaii in the first place (which she honestly says was a question of finances, and the lure of the paradisical weather and doesn’t gussy the reason up with politically correct visions of immersing herself in multi-culturalism), but if it didn’t work out, it didn’t work out. To then say she doesn’t like minorities, having herself married one is over-reach.
Incidentally, Todd is from Dillingham, and I’m surprised the native Alaskans here don’t mention that his grandmother is a well-known and respected tribe Elder there.
Anyway, I hope I added something to the conversation at Mudflats today. Thanks for the convo.
December 7th, 2009 at 10:47 AM
It must be noted that until recently Wasilla has been a white community, indeed the whole valley and beyond, with a sprinkling of natives, also with caucasian blood…this was the world she grew up in…I would be shocked that there were any of african descent at Wasilla High school even when she graduated,(I know there were none in her grade-middle school) much less any of asian or pacific island descent. It is still notable when seeing or meeting minority’s here and around…and a refreshing change from the earlier years
December 7th, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Miss Demeanor – you have solved 2 of my Christmas presents!
I’m getting the “Paris on the Yukon” CD for 2 of my sons. They are a riot! We lived in Bethel, the boys went to school and worked there. Thanks a bunch!!
December 7th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Fe1 (118) said: ” Incidentally, Todd is from Dillingham, and I’m surprised the native Alaskans here don’t mention that his grandmother is a well-known and respected tribe Elder there.”
Has anyone noticed that Todd’s family is NEVER mentioned? Someone on here ran into his father? in CA. I don’t think SP likes to broadcast the Yupik blood. Yeah, she trots out everyone now and then that Todd is part Yupik, but that’s only when it suits her. If they were that close, they would have been dragged into the campaign, too. Sounds to me the elder Palins have better sense, and perhaps have distanced themselves from the Wasilla hillbilly side of the family.
December 7th, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Fe1 #106 and #118
Many of your general comments about cultural differences and people’s unique reactions to those differences are interesting and undeniably true but your specific comments regarding Palin are typical of a pattern used by Palin’s apologists:
1) Counter with an attack on Hawaii (Blaming phase): “….it was an unofficial day of harassing all white kids in public schools. By harassing I am being politically correct. If the animus were directed at more properly-termed minorities in the Mainland, it would be called a hate crime, and justifiably so”…..”Look, Hawaiians are a delightful people but there is a tremendous amount of snobbishness if you’re not a part of the native culture.”
2) Configure Palin as the innocent and often helpless, hapless victim (Protective phase): ” I don’t think this is one you can blame on a sheltered girl….”
3) Assign character traits to Palin which, quite frankly, the general public hasn’t seen substantial evidence for (Diversion phase): “….which she HONESTLY says was a question of finances, and the lure of the paradisical (sic) weather and doesn’t GUSSY THE REASON UP with politically correct visions of immersing herself in multi-culturalism.”……”To then say she doesn’t like minorities, having herself married one is over-reach.” (emphasis mine)
If I have seen the above 3-step defensive pattern once, I have seen it a thousand times. Does that mean that Palin has never been victimized or that she is never worth defending? Of course not…. but the general public out there who are NOT her besotted fans are cognizant of the fact that Palin has the very unfortunate habit of fabrication, even outright lying, as well as embellishment (aka “gussying up” the facts). As a consequence….who the heck really knows why Palin left Hawaii? Presumably her parents and close inner circle know why Palin left Hawaii…… which is why Chuck Heath’s statement was fodder for comment in this blog. Personally I don’t know and don’t really care why she left Hawaii except to the extent that this politician is a polarizing, destructive force in our country and who, in styling herself as a potential national leader, has opened herself up to public scrutiny, questioning, and, yes, even harsh criticism and cutting satire.
You’re right that “our nation is fast losing its ability to TALK to each other. There are many reasons why this has developed but in my opinion Ms. Palin deserves a great deal of credit for the current situation because of her 1) divisive demagoguery, 2) aggressive cultivation of feelings of anger, victimization, free-floating mistrust of the “other” in her fans, 3) and, most heinously, not only lending approval to but outright drumming up conspiracy theories about our government, our President, health care, climate change etc. ad nauseam. When conspiracy theories permeate the citizenery, the Rule of Law starts breaking down…..
December 7th, 2009 at 5:17 PM
^^^ typo citizenry
December 8th, 2009 at 12:34 AM
Tod Palin was raised first in Glenallen and then in the Walsilla area, His father
was manager of REA Electric Companys.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:14 AM
She obviously has a problem with non-whites and leaving multicultural Hawaii for a place Hayden Lake…er…the University of Idaho is no surprise. As for her husband, if he had olive skin and a flat nose she would never have given him the time of day.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I’ve always wondered if the Amish custom of Rumspringa, in which Amish youth spend some time in the outside world, isn’t so much a way of giving them a choice between their family traditions and the “English” world as it is a way of binding them closer to the Amish culture by throwing them into the deep end before they’re old enough to deal with it. In the same way, maybe the point of Sarah being given the equivalent of a “year abroad” was to make her more homesick and thus more likely to return to Wasilla. Hey, it’s a theory.
Also, I’m familiar with blonde, blue-eyed folks trotting out their alleged Native ancestry for personal and professional gain from my time living in Oklahoma, so someone with a bit of Inuit blood being trotted out as somehow “proof” of Palin’s multiculti cred holds no water with me.