A Message to Medium Writers
Appreciate, but don’t take.
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If you choose to disrespect Hawaiian culture, then you have no place on these native lands.
During my daily reads, I like to check the latest stories on Medium tags I frequent.
This includes Hawaii, Indigenous, Culture, Hawaiian, and Polynesian.
Lately, there have been stories attacking Native Hawaiian culture and people.
Opinions of outsiders capitalizing on kanaka ‘ike (native knowledge & teachings).
Supporting others who claim to be Pele, the goddess of volcanos and fire.
The list gets increasingly outrageous.
No matter one’s religion, background, or beliefs, it is not ethical nor respectful to use an ethnicity’s culture to how you see fit.
Cultural appropriation should not be tolerated.
No-one has the right to distort another person’s culture and traditions.
However, how does one know what is right or wrong?
Surprisingly, it's not that easy for everyone.
This is why I seek to EDUCATE others on this platform.
My mission, if you will, is to provide an insight to Native Hawaiian culture and life in Hawaiʻi from a Native Hawaiian perspective.
I give you, my dear readers, a true and AUTHENTIC account.
History has been told by colonizers for way too long.
Alas, this is apparent everywhere in the world.
Indigenous groups like Native Hawaiians are striving to tell their OWN stories.
Hence, Medium is where I’ll tell mine.
Please take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
In other words, appreciate but don’t take what isn’t yours.
Follow me, Mackenzie Plunkett , for more on all things Hawaiʻi. Mahalo!
☕ You can buy me a coffee here.
📖 Need a definition for a Hawaiian word I used? Click here.
