She's not Samoan enough

That girl over there she’s not Samoan she can’t even speak the language

That girl over there she doesn’t even know how to siva samoa (dance) properly

That girl over there doesn’t even remember where she comes from

That girl over there chooses not to live the fa’a Samoa life on purpose

I bet you she doesn’t even know how to do feaus (chores) properly

I bet you she thinks she’s palagi (white)

I bet you she doesn’t even know the difference between a pea (dress) and a pe’a (tattoo)

I bet you she’s never even been to Samoa

To think she calls herself a Samoan what a joke!

I wish I tried harder to learn Samoan as a kid

I wish people would stop assuming that not being able to speak the language was a choice

I wish everyone would understand that not being able to understand my nana and papa hurts my heart

I wish everyone knew how ashamed I feel when at family events I’m the only one who isn’t confident enough to do the I’e tongas (fine mats) let alone even try

If only they knew that my lack of understanding the culture was not my parents fault

If only they knew that every time I visited Samoa my heart yearned to learn more

If only they knew that I was never ashamed and if anything I was proud to be Samoan

If only they knew how grateful I was that being Samoan made me who I am

Although I may lack in knowledge that doesn’t make me less of a Samoan

Being Samoan isn’t about what comes out of your mouth but what comes from your heart

Being Samoan is about loving and respecting your elders

Being Samoan is caring for those who once cared for you and seeing it as an honour

Being Samoan focuses on AIGA (family), this alone is a gift from God

Being Samoan is appreciating being different and also being grateful for such rich culture

Being Samoan is one of my most treasured qualities that I have

Being Samoan is a way of life

No matter what anyone says I am Samoan and I AM ENOUGH.