
'Why aren't there many beautiful Micronesians? Because babies with birth defects are usually terminated before birth.'"
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Loud and Proud: Micronesian Community Members and Supporters Push Back Against Racism on the Radio5/25/2014 ![]() A petition calling for an end to what commenters have described as the regular targeting of "Micronesians" on Hawai'i morning radio has reached over 1,000 signatures in just two days, on the petition website www.change.org. The petition writer, Kat Lobendahn, described the catalyst that prompted her to finally take action on what many morning radio listeners in Hawai'i are all too familiar with: ethnically derogatory jokes exclusively targeting "Micronesians," who in recent years have collectively faced growing express and systemic discrimination in the island state. As Lobendahn reported: "At approximate 7:15 am this morning (23 May 2014) on Island 98.5 radio show 'Wake Up Crew,' boy was I in for a rude awakening. The disc jockey's of this program told one of the worst racist jokes that I have ever heard against the people of Micronesia. This was not the first racist joke against Micronesian's, but it is by far the worst. Here is their attempt to be funny by telling this UNfunny joke. 'Why aren't there many beautiful Micronesians? Because babies with birth defects are usually terminated before birth.'" The petition calls on the program director of Island 98.5 FM of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to "take disciplinary action" against the Wake Up Crew DJs, and to immediately stop the broadcasting of Micronesian jokes on the airwaves. A written and oral apology is also requested. While ethnic jokes have a long history in Hawai'i, reflecting a multicultural diversity rooted in the islands' geographic location and history of immigration, many petition commenters noted that jokes against Micronesians tend to exhibit a level of cruelty and dehumanization well and far beyond what could be considered "joking around." Others noted the harm caused in perpetuating invidious discrimination that they personally observed or experienced on a regular basis, including several teachers who testified to the bullying and racism faced by Micronesian students in school. "As a former teacher at Waianae High, I have seen kids use these jokes as part of a campus wide bullying problem so bad that nearly all Micronesian students are frequently truant," wrote Clarisa Merucci, who signed the petition. "Micronesians living in Hawaii suffer from systemic and widely accepted, even supported, discrimination and harassment. This needs to stop. It is not okay to constantly berate an ethnic group and it is especially heartless considering the struggles many of them face," Merucci noted. Another educator, Kira Lee, related how "I've had Micronesian students who were ashamed to tell their friends that they were part Micronesian." Micronesian parents and grandparents echoed similar concerns for the welfare of their children. "Experienced this firsthand. Having two kids of my own, I would hate for them to have to go through the same thing," wrote Lei Iguel, of Honolulu. Petition signer Esther I. Lokboj wrote, "I don't want my grandchildren to grow up thinking they're inferior because they are part of Micronesia." The petition also features a spoken word video performance by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a University of Hawai'i graduate student who hails from the Marshall Islands. Called "Lessons from Hawai'i," the video calls out the often open racism against Micronesians in Hawai'i, pointing to the lack of knowledge and prejudice underlying Jetnil-Kijiner's daily experiences with discriminatory comments and actions. Local petition signers noted their own concerns about the impact that such broadcasted derogatory statements may have on the reputation and social fabric of Hawai'i. As petition signer Aiko Yamashiro wrote, "Some people may think we are calling for 'censorship' but I think the real issue here is calling our public figures into responsibility for the power that they wield. They have the power to educate and build community and connection, and humor and wit can be a tool for that too! Or they can waste that power and make us feel ashamed for the thoughtless things they might say on behalf of Hawai'i." The petition notes that it will be taken to the sponsors of the radio program. To sign or view the petition, click here: https://www.change.org/petitions/island-98-5-radio-station-honolulu-hi-stop-the-derogatory-racist-jokes-and-comments-against-the-people-of-micronesia
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Mahalo nui to Darlene Rodrigues of the Hawaiʻi Peoples' Fund for passing on this local paid internship opportunity and to Richard Salvador, community organizer and advocate, for this list of Earth-friendly scholarship and internship opportunities for students in high school, college and beyond!
1-year Full-time Paid Internship with the Center for Food Safety Hawaiʻi: POSITION: Research, Policy & Outreach Intern LOCATION: Honolulu, HI STATUS: Full-time paid internship (one year commitment preferred) START DATE: May 2014 ABOUT THE CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY: The Center for Food Safety (CFS) is a non-profit public interest and environmental advocacy membership organization established in 1997 to challenge harmful food production technologies and promote sustainable alternatives. CFS combines multiple tools and strategies in pursuing its goals, including litigation and legal petitions for rulemaking, legal support for various sustainable agriculture and food safety constituencies, as well as public education, grassroots organizing and media outreach. For over a decade, Center for Food Safety has been working alongside grassroots community groups, activists, and environmental and consumer organizations to create a vibrant food movement to oppose the biotechnology industry’s efforts in Hawaii, and strengthen alternatives to industrial agriculture. For more information about CFS’s work, please visit www.centerforfoodsafety.org. ABOUT THE POSITION: CFS currently seeks a Research, Policy & Administrative Intern to join the newly formed Honolulu office. During the upcoming year, CFS’s work in Hawaii will focus on legal action, policy education, and grassroots coordination. The intern will be supervised by the Hawaii Program Director and will work closely with the Community Organizing and Outreach Coordinator to assist with legislative and grassroots campaigns. The intern should have a background in research, familiarity with food sustainability issues in Hawaii, and be comfortable taking on multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Along with research and policy projects, the intern will also assist with general office administrative duties. RESPONSIBILITIES: -Provide program support for ongoing campaigns -Research policy, legislative and regulatory issues -Write and disseminate research reports -Outreach to and communicate with constituents and supporters -Manage incoming calls and correspondence on a daily basis -Provide general administrative support QUALIFICATIONS: -Bachelor’s Degree -Strong interest in sustainable agriculture and food, and knowledge about Hawaii’s food system -Excellent interpersonal, research and writing skills -Humble and confident approach to working with diverse communities -Organized and able to work in a fast-paced environment -Self-motivated and able to work well independently -Familiarity with collecting, analyzing, and summarizing reliable research -Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume, brief writing sample, and contact information for references to Ashley Lukens atalukens@centerforfoodsafety.org Applications due: April 30, 2014 CFS is an equal opportunity employer. Scholarship and Internship Opportunities: Going Green Can Get You Some Green… From www.fastweb.com, cd: Here are some scholarship and internship opportunities for students who live every day like Earth day: To help better organize your scholarship search, please note that the following environmental, green and Earth Day awards and internship opportunities are listed according to deadline, with the earliest deadline appearing at the top of the page. Deadlines that vary will appear at the bottom of the list. Green Scholarships: Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship Award: $1,000 Deadline: May 1, 2014 Available to: College Freshman through Graduate Student, Year 5 The Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship is available to entering and current college students. To be considered, you must submit of picture of something cool that you made out of used printer ink cartridges, laser toner, or your old printer. You may also apply by submitting a message via social media about recycling and / or how you reduce, reuse, and recycle. Learn more information about the Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship. Orchid Care Scholarship Award: $500 Deadline: May 1, 2014 Available to: College Freshman through Graduate Student, Year 5 Provided by Orchids Made Easy, the Orchid Care Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a program in botany, horticulture, environmental science, conservation, or related field, with a focus on orchids. Learn more information about the Orchid Care Scholarship. Aquarion Environmental Champion Award Award: $1,000 Deadline: May 7, 2014 Available to: High School Freshman through College Freshman The Aquarion Environmental Champion Award is available to high school students who have been working hard to protect and restore the environment in Connecticut. To be considered, you must be involved in a volunteer project that significantly contributes to the improvement of environmental quality through the protection, conservation, restoration, and/or stewardship of natural resources. Learn more information about the Aquarion Environmental Champion Award. Bill Spaniol Memorial Scholarship Award: $500 Deadline: May 7, 2014 Available to: College Freshman Provided by the Kansas Environmental Health Association, the Bill Spaniol Memorial Scholarship is open to students who are pursuing a degree in environmental science or in a related area. You must be a graduating Kansas high school senior or person who will be attending a Kansas college or university to be eligible for this award. You must also show an interest in the biological or physical sciences and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Learn more information about the Bill Spaniol Memorial Scholarship. Google Global Science Fair 2014 Award: $50,000 Deadline: May 12, 2014 Available to: Ages 13-18 The Google Global Science Fair 2014 is open to students between the ages of 13 and 18. You, or your team of two or three, must create either a two-minute video or 20-slide presentation giving an overview of your project and embed it on the Summary page of your project submission. You may submit projects in any one of the following categories: Computer Science & Math, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Behavioral & Social Sciences, Flora & Fauna, Energy & Space, Inventions & Innovation, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or Electricity & Electronics. A video or presentation is required to enter. Learn more information about the Google Global Science Fair 2014. Major the Polar Bear Scholarship Award: $1,000 Deadline: May 26, 2014 Available to: College Freshman The Major the Polar Bear Scholarship is available to Massachusetts high school seniors. You must be planning to attend college in an animal- or environmental-related field and demonstrate prior community service. Learn more information about the Major the Polar Bear Scholarship. Collegiate Inventors Competition Award: $15,000 Deadline: June 13, 2014 Available to: College Freshman through Graduate Student, Year 5 The Collegiate Inventors Competition is open to students who have been enrolled full time in any U.S. or Canadian college or university over the past 12 months. You must submit an original idea, process or technology that will be judged on originality and inventiveness, as well as on its potential value to society (socially, environmentally, and economically), and on its range or scope of use. Up to four students may work together as a team. However, only one prize will be awarded per entry. Learn more information about the Collegiate Inventors Competition. $10,000 Clothes Recycling Scholarship Award: $1,000 Deadline: June 20, 2014 Available to: Ages 25 Years and Under The vast majority of fabric can be recycled, yet 85% of textiles made each year ends up in landfills. That’s 11.1 million tons, or the equivalent of over 70 Billion t-shirts. Sign up for Comeback Clothes to collect old and worn-out clothes in your school and communities and drop them off at your local H&M store to help save precious resources. Submit a photo of the clothes you collected to be entered to win the Comeback Clothes Scholarship. Start here: www.dosomething.org/comebackclothes. No minimum GPA or essays required. Learn more information about the $10,000 Clothes Recycling Scholarship. Everglades Foundation Scholarship Award: $20,000 Deadline: July 1, 2014 Available to: Graduate Students, Year 1 through Year 5 The Everglades Foundation Scholarship is offered to full-time graduate research students. You must be majoring in earth sciences, biological sciences, engineering, geography, planning and resources management or economics in order to qualify for this award. A proposal and personal essay must also be submitted. Learn more information about the Everglades Foundation Scholarship. Environmental Division Scholarship Award: $2,000 Deadline: November 1, 2014 Available to: College Junior through College Senior The Environmental Division Scholarship is open to students who have completed their sophomore year and are majoring in a field related to mining or the environment. You must be a student member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration to be considered for this award. Two letters of recommendation are also required. Learn more information about the Environmental Division Scholarship. Green Internships: Summer Wildlife Intern – Wildcare Inc. Deadline: Rolling Available to: College Freshman through College Senior The Summer Wildlife Intern position is open to students who are interested in the care and treatment of injured and orphaned wildlife. You must be able to work 20 hours per week from the months of May to August to be eligible for this internship. This internship is unpaid. Learn more information about the Summer Wildlife Intern – Wildcare Inc.. Mentorship for Environmental Scholars Deadline: Rolling Available to: College Sophomore through College Senior Provided by the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, the Mentorship for Environmental Scholars Program is available to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are underrepresented in STEM and other related disciplines. This internship is a 10-week hands-on research experience provided at a Department of Energy or Legacy Management site. Learn more information about the Environmental Education Internship. Environmental Education Internship – Cincinnati Zoo Deadline: Rolling Available to: College Freshman through Graduate Student, Year 5 The Environmental Education Internship is available to students interested in working with the Education Department at the Cincinnati Zoo. Interns will help convey an appreciation and understanding of the natural world to others. Intern should have a flexible schedule, be able to commit to three 8-hour shifts per week in the office, be able to lift 25 pounds, and be available to assist with evening/weekend events outside of regularly scheduled office hours. Learn more information about the Environmental Education Internship. Sea Turtle Research Internship Deadline: Rolling Available to: Graduate Students, Year 1 through Year 3 The Sea Turtle Research Internship is available at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. You will be involved in a variety of aspects monitoring the sea turtles on the beaches around Naples. You must be at least a college senior, with preference given to students who have earned a BA or BS, studying biological or environmental science to be eligible for this position. Working knowledge of the care and operations of ATVs, motorboats and small engines is an asset. Learn more information about the Sea Turtle Research Internship. Environmental Education Internship – Stratford Ecological Center Deadline: Rolling Available to: College Freshman through College Senior The Environmental Education Internship at the Stratford Ecological Center is open to students who are interested environmental awareness and appreciation. To be considered for this position, you must demonstrate a love of children, a deep relationship with the land, and a willingness to learn. Interns will work hand in hand with the director and field trip coordinator to prepare and facilitate education seasons at the Center. Also, interns will get experience teaching and learning. Learn more information about the Environmental Education Internship at the Stratford Ecological Center. Education Internship – Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Deadline: Rolling Available to: College Freshman through College Senior The Education Internship is a full time crewmember at Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. You must be pursuing a degree in or have a passion for the environment, sailing, teaching and the outdoors to be eligible for this internship. Learn more information about the Education Internship – Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Mahalo nui to Kathy Jetnil and Jocelyn Howard for spreading the word about this important survey!
To assist in their efforts to increase access to higher education for COFA and other Pacific Islander students (including students from Guam, CNMI, Kiribati and Nauru), student organizers at the University of Hawai‘i are asking all Micronesian students currently enrolled in the University of Hawai‘i system to take a few moments and fill out this short but important survey. Information will be used to link students together in an effort to restore in-state tuition rates and increase access to higher education opportunities for Pacific Islander students at the University of Hawai‘i. For many years, COFA and other Pacific Islander students were allowed to pay equal tuition rates as in-state resident students, in furtherance of the University of Hawai‘i’s role and mission as a major institution of higher education in the Pacific. In 2007, changes to tuition schedules by the Board of Regents raised tuition rates for COFA and other Pacific Islander students to 150% of the in-state tuition, severely restricting these aspiring students’ ability to pursue a higher education and more fully develop their skills and abilities to contribute to the community. Student organizers are now seeking to restore in-state tuition rates for COFA and other Pacific Islander students, to increase access to higher education for Pacific Islanders and enhance the capacity and capabilities of all who call the Pacific home. Please spread the word and share this link with anyone who may be interested in participating in or assisting this effort: https://micronesiaconnect.typeform.com/to/djgD5L. |
AuthorHealthy Pacific is an ad hoc group of advocates and allies committed to health justice for the People of the Ocean and the world. Archives
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