Polynesians today are although portrayed like strong, big men that play football, are also seen as care free, relaxed islanders. A lot of the time when you see a Polynesian man you think "he could play football." They are normally bigger in build and tend to be a stronger race. They usually hangout in big groups which makes them seem even more intimidating.
But the media also portrays Polynesians to be care free and a simple people that are always in a big group. When you are Polynesian then you are family to any other Polynesians. The whole race seems to stick together. There have been many feature films that have enhanced the stereo type of the care free islanders, such as the Disney movie Johnny Tsunami, where the boy is just a fun loving surfer who likes his free time and can do whatever he wants whenever he wants, as well as The Thin Red Line portrays the care free life style of Polynesians. Polynesians are known for their "hang loose" hand gesture that represents their mentality to not worry and just relax. You can find shirts and pictures online everywhere with this symbol.They are portray as these fun-loving, surfing, happy people. Even though they can be intimidating on the football field, everyone still seems them as a happy peaceful people.
With the stereotype of fun loving people it can be daunting. When your race is seen as happy and welcoming then it can be hard on the Polynesians who aren't so happy to overcome that. To be happy all the time is tiresome. Also not every Polynesian is happy and carefree. This stereotype does not portray their whole race.
http://www.yidff.jp/docbox/14/box14-3-e.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI9jC07C0II
I agree with this post. People need to open their minds and stop stereotyping everyone.
ReplyDeleteA positive stereotype is still a stereotype.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this stereotype persists, but that it isn't necessarily a negative ones. Family is definitely an important aspect of Polynesian culture. No doubt there is more to this culture, but I feel that this is an accurate representation of the Polynesian stereotype.
ReplyDeleteAll of my Polynesian buddies and their families are some of THE hardest working, faithful, and gifted people I know. I think that beyond the "relaxed" attitude they are stereotyped with is that they are all "lazy" as well. I overheard a conversation between a poly guy and his girlfriend the other day that was very interesting and one of the main comments that stuck out to me from this convo was the girlfriend responding to her boyfriend with," you're not lazy, you're just Polynesian." Again, I think an unfair assumption.
ReplyDeleteI found David's post interesting: A positive stereotype is still a stereotype. Asians being smart, East Indian people being hard-working, and the list goes on. While these can be seen as a positive stereotype, it's important that we don't start to impose on people certain qualities because of their ethnic backgrounds or some other cultural signifier. We are all unique individuals and there will always be people who don't conform to perceived cultural norms, ideals, or virtues.
ReplyDeleteI think this is tough for me to see because I grew up with many Polynesians. I have never gotten a great vibe for how they are portrayed other than a few Hawaiian examples. These stereotypes definitely do apply as overshadowing of diversity, the stereotypes are also well represented in Provo.
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