Be proud, Stand out

This poem is written by Lemalu Samau Tate Simi. This poem inspired my fellow peers and teacher(Mrs.Tofa) to make sure that your culture does not get lost. I think he wrote this poem because he wants not only Samoans but every Islander to understand the laws of being proud of being both a New Zealander but also taking part of  your pacific side.

Educate yourself enough

So you may understand

The ways of other people

But not too much

That you may lose

Your understanding

Of your own

Try things palagi

Not so you may become palagi

But so you may see the value

Of things Samoan

Learn to speak Samoan

Not so you may sound Samoan

But so you may

Feel the essence

Of being Samoan

Above all

Be aware and proud

Of what you are

So you may spare yourself

The agony of those who are asking

“What am I”

Written by - Lemalu Samau Tate Simi (1995)