True wisdom comes to each of us when we realise how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.

That was written two thousand years ago by the renowned Roman philosopher, statesman and playwright, Seneca or Lucius Annaeus. Realizing  our limited understanding is therefore the first step to acquiring wisdom, fostering humility and a thirst for knowledge.

The truth of these insights, I believe, was clearly demonstrated by the recent events involving two of the two Samoas’ most eminent academics: Emeritus Professor Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard, 78, a historian, writer and environmentalist, of American Samoa, and Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, author, playwright and poet, of Samoa.

No doubt, in due course, we will find out the details of what actually happened but for now we can only sympathize with the families of the two ladies. Our deep heart-felt condolences to the Gabbard family for their loss, a loss I’m sure is felt by most if not all the people of the territory, as well as many, many people of the independent state.

Our thoughts also go out to Papalii and her family as they try to deal with what has happened. She has been charged and under our judicial system she is innocent until proven guilty.

While we await the inevitable trial we can’t help thinking about Seneca’s insights on our understnding   about life, ourselves and the world around us.

According to press reports, Dr Gabbrd was a ‘brilliant writer and supporter of writers’. She taught creative writing at the University of Hawaii for several years and was an associate professor of Pacific Literature at the same university. She published her collection of poetry - Alchemies of Distance - in 2002 and was named by USA Today as one of the most influetial women from U.S territories.

She was also the first Samoan to become a full professor in the United States.

Dr Sivaiana-Gabbard lived a most productive life indeed. So, what did she do or did not do that ended in the very sad event, reported by the Press?

The same question can be put to Papalii. A strong defender of girls’ and women’s rights and a hater of violence against them, it would be really interesting to know why it seems she has gone against her own beliefs and convictions.

Readers will recall her strong comments against this Column, not so long ago, when she wrote:

You see Mr. Faalogo, as a man, your life is void of the struggles that afflict and mar the lives of us girls and women on a daily basis which are the foundations of the literature I write and am engaged in. Literature that has been acknowledged not only by our own Samoan and Oceanic intelligentsia for its characteristically Samoan depictions of the woes of coming of age in Samoa, but by international panelists of literary excellence for its universal appeal and have thus rewarded such efforts with one of the world’s most prestigious literary honor, The Commonwealth Writers Prize Best First Book For The South East Asia-South Pacific Region, an honor ouke le saga fia siou vale ai because it belongs to the people of Samoa and the Pacific region.

Since I first heard my aunt Aiono Dr. Fanaafi Le Tagaloa’s advice to me on the day Maualaivao Emeritus Professor Albert Wendt, flew from Auckland where he resides, to launch my first novel during the 1996 Pacific Festival of Arts, nearly 30 some years ago, “Sia, aua nei galo ia te oe. O Samoa o le ia e iviivia.” This is right before we were to catch a flight to Savaii to read poetry for students at Tuasivi High School with my hero and your boss, the eminent poet of the people known then simply as Sano Malifa.

Mr. Faalogo, out of curiosity, did you know that according to The Commonwealth, almost nine in 10 Samoan women have experienced physical or emotional violence at the hands of family members with six out of 10 experiencing intimate partner violence?

Did you also know that as of 2021, the economic impact of family violence costs our country up to 38 million sterling pounds each year, equivalent to seven per cent of Samoa's gross domestic product or approximately SAT$1,000 for every Samoan aged 15 years or older?

Yes, I know about the National Shame that His Honour Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson spoke about recently. Now I’m also reminded about the economic effect of that violence.

What I would like to know is what kind of pressure forced you to do what you have been charged with?

Justice will no doubt be done. For now, we end with Seneca’s other insight:

It is a denial of justice not to stretch out a helping hand to the fallen, that is the right of humanity.