Is Hawaii America's Tibet?

Discussion in 'World Events' started by goofyfish, Jan 27, 2002.

  1. goofyfish Analog By Birth, Digital By Design Valued Senior Member

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    There seems to be widespread sympathy in the West, including the U.S., for Tibetan aspirations to break away from China. But is there a double standard here? (WHAT!?!? The United States indulging in a double-standard?)

    Consider these parallels:

    Both Tibet and Hawaii were originally independent states with their own culture, society, and government. Both were annexed by a large and powerful neighbor. After annexation, Hawaii was swamped by Haoles and others, to the extent that the original population is now a small minority. Tibet is being swamped by Han Chinese, especially from Sichuan province, and is heading the same way.

    I admit that my overall knowledge of the US "acquisition" of Hawaii is a little thin, so how valid are these parallels as I see them?

    Peace.
     
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  3. Chagur .Seeker. Registered Senior Member

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    Re. Hawaii's 'annexation' ...

    Might want to check out:

    <a href=http://www.uic.edu/depts/owa/history/liliuokalani.html > <font color=red>Queen Lydia Liliuokalani </font></a>

    Take care.
     
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  5. Congrats Bartok Fiend Registered Senior Member

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    :bugeye: I really doubt that Hawaiians have much of an American identity, and I don't blame them. They have no reason to identify with mainland America, and culturally are out of touch with mainstream American life. The fact is, besides being Americans technically, Hawaii is its own place. It's different from Tibet, since not many Hawaiians feel regret over being Americans, yet I do not consider them culturally 'American'.
     
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  7. Imahamster Registered Senior Member

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    The Mythical American

    A similar topic came up in the emotional aftermath of 9/11. This hamster was surprised to discover that unbeknownst to this hamster, this hamster was NOT American. Furthermore few if any of this hamster’s friends were American. After being told so many times what Americans think and do and were, both by people in the US and outside the US, this hamster began to doubt there were ANY Americans.

    Fortunately this hamster recovered this hamster’s citizenship by remembering that only this hamster defines what this hamster is. (Am an American hamster, so there. Uh…yeah. right ya little rodent.)
     
  8. Congrats Bartok Fiend Registered Senior Member

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    552
    :bugeye: hamster, I didn't mean to say Hawaiians were not Americans, as if to say to be American you must pass a certain litnus test, yet I meant that as far as mainstream American culture goes, they have their own. They are like their own little country that is just owned by us.

    Which, of course, I find nothing wrong with.
     

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