Teves and Arvin begin by notifying the reader about the problematic nature of using the phrase API (Asian/Pacific Islander) to refer to indigenous peoples of the region. This, they argue, “forecloses the possibility for allyship by “erasing differences between and among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.” (107) With this background established, the authors turn to asking what kind of “political and intellectual work” will help us to center indigenous feminism and eliminate this Western/hegemonic view of Asians and Pacific Islanders as one large group, lacking in separate and distinct histories, cultures, and peoples. Basically, these groups were created by white people to divide POC, and we can change this conversation.

    The authors beautifully illustrate the diversity of the Pacific Islands/Oceania, enlightening the reader as to their size and stretch (“30,000-some islands, 2.3 million people, and some 1,500 languages”) (108)– personally, I had noooo idea the islands were such a force to be reckoned with, and am so glad that I know that now.

    Interesting as well were the author’s recollections of perceptions of Pacific women by outsiders. The colonialist “take” (haha) on Island women was, and is, that “Pacific women are sexually available, existing in a sort of Garden of Eden with no mores or rationality.”(109) This is, of course, really problematic and gross fetishization by Westerners and a paper all by itself.

Oceania is additionally vexed by colonialist governance of her peoples. The designations of Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia are frustrating colonialist impositions, dividing islanders by perceived levels of “civilization”– many view Polynesians to be the most ~western~, more like their oppressors and close to whiteness. These distinctions lead to real conflicts between real people in this region! And it’s a big deal! Pacific Island peoples also struggle to find spaces for themselves within professionalism and academia, because oftentimes those spaces just are not available to them.

Teves and Arvin proceed to offer the reader a really thorough and helpful to-do list for everyday decolonization, starting with “acknowledge that you are on indigenous land.” (114) This was a really helpful way for them to get their ideas out, and made the process of everyday resistance seem a little bit easier. I really enjoyed this article and learned a lot that I had absolutely no IDEA about beforehand. Thanks Dr. P!