When we talk about Blackness, we typically think of people of recentAfrican descent.
In many Western cultures, media visibility of Pacific Islanders like Melanesian people is minimal.
These folks tend to have lighter skin and looser-textured hair.
Of the interviewees, not one, at least by my research, is of Melanesian or Micronesian descent.
Background:Ni-Vanuatu from the island country of Vanuatu.
“Mostly as a teenager in high school.”
Courtesy Jamina Malosu
That relaxer would later damage her natural hair.
She remembers the incident as one that “destroyed her self-confidence.”
“The world’s idea of a typical Pacific Islander is Polynesian.
Courtesy Teagan Glenane
Melanesian women just need fair representation.”
“Truthfully, as an adult, this is something that I am still trying to overcome.”
“[It creates] an inaccurate depiction of Pacific Islanders as a whole,” she explains.
Courtesy Josateki Tora
We’re proud of our cultural identity and our color has nothing to do with it."
Many of the children who were stolen were lighter-skinned and thought of as “less” Indigenous-looking.
She remembers feeling pressured tochemically straightenher hair, which ultimately caused severe damage to it.
Vyda Erdoğa
Frazier also takes issue with the mainstream, Polynesian-centric representations of Pacific Islanders.
People need to become more educated on the overall diversity of the Pacific Islands.
“Invest and support our community so that Melanesian women can share their experiences and creativity.”
Courtesy Phi-Hung Le-Vu
Her hair, for example, has been the object of curiosityin France, where she resides.
“Strangers wanted to touch my hair, often without asking my permission,” she says.
“Before, when doctors classified races, skin color was the basis.
Courtesy Desiree Aceves
They compared the inhabitants of New Caledonia to those of Polynesia, who had lighter skin.”
But of course, it’s more than that.
Ethnic Background:Papua New Guinean, Moluccan, and British.
Courtesy Djodie Boi
“I didn’t have anybody to really talk to about it.
Rose’s pride in her Black Pacific Islander identity has since grown.
She began researching Melanesian culture and connecting with her father’s side of the family.
Courtesy Amel Adrian
Her knowledge of Melanesian culture has certainly grown, but she says it’s been a difficult process.
I found this whole community of Melanesians and they were all proud of the different places they were from.
It made me feel really comfortable.”
Artists likeBeyonce,Rihanna, TLC, and Aaliyah, have all influenced her music style and personal aesthetics.
“I want to make a future for myself in singing,” she says.
“That’s going to be a way that I can speak up [about my culture].
Courtesy Shannon Sogavare
I’ll let you know about it if the internet’s not doing it.”
Ethnic Background:Solomon Islander from the Malaita Province.
“There was a family in our community [with biracial kids].
They would automatically get special treatment,” says Grouse, who lives in Mount Gambier, Australia.
This same phenomenon was also apparent in the classroom.
But until then, she’ll be busy at work spreading awareness about her culture.
“Not a lot of people know about us.
When questions arise, I use that as an opportunity to educate them about us.”
Ethnic background:Solomon Islander from the Malaita and Choiseul Provinces.
That doesn’t mean colorism has been completely nonexistent.
“I stand with the point that hard work is everything.”
