It’s a day of affirmation

Dear Editor, 

Samoa has come a long way since the Mau and it is therefore appropriate to raise an issue, which should be corrected. In fact, it should have been corrected a long time ago by those in government vested with the responsibility of correcting history.

The sub headline in your paper reads "Happy 54th Independence, Samoa". 

Let me point out my humble opinion on this. The use of the term "independence" in our celebrations every year is an inappropriate term to use in our celebrations. We are doing our forefathers' struggle a gross dishonour by calling this an independence celebration. 

Let me point out facts of our history of those matais (leaders of the Mau and Samoa) that were exiled from Samoa. They never surrendered to the forces of the Queen. They died in exile. 

In other words, Samoa was never conquered because those Chief though died in exile never signed to surrender. So when we say today it's our 54th independence celebration, we are doing our forefather's stand of never surrendering, a great disservice.

Samoa should be celebrating our 54th Year of "Affirmation of our Sovereignty", NOT independence because we never surrendered. Independence from what/who? The chiefs and leaders of the Mau movement never surrendered to the Queen, so independence from whom? 

NZ was only administering directions from the Monarch so if we never surrendered to the Monarch then independence from what?

It is time we pay homage to our forefathers' leadership by celebrating the Affirmation of our Sovereignty. It starts with us all correcting the terminology we use. Happy Affirmation Day.

 

F. Dr. L



Samoa Observer

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