"It's a matter of R-E-S-P-E-C-T"
August 07, 2006

Letter to Editor, Samoa News

Dear Editor,

In the latest "back and forth" between Congressman Faleomavaega and Aumua Amata, it is glaringly evident that the Congressman is deliberately disrespecting the fact that Aumua Amata is a titled Samoan. He did this during the last Congressional election year as well.

The Congressman consistently refers to Aumua Amata as "Mrs. Amata Radewagen". Indeed, that is her legally married name, as is Eni Hunkin, the Congressman's name. I do not recall, however, Aumua Amata choosing to disrespect the Congressman by referring to him merely as "Eni Hunkin".

Respect for bestowed titles is a deeply sacred Samoan tradition. What exactly is Faleomavaega disrespecting? ...the culture? ...the fact that Aumua is a woman? ...the village of Pago Pago who bestowed the title? (I wonder, where is their outrage at this disrespect?) ...all of the titled chiefs in the Territory?...in a word - YES - all of these. There seems to be a great deal of rhetoric these days around the destruction of the Samoan culture; disrespecting titles should be at the very core of this dialogue and anyone, particularly someone with a public platform, should be severely admonished for contributing to same.

I call upon the Congressman to issue a public apology to Aumua Amata and all of the other Territorial entities that he has so blatantly disrespected. If he does not, then I would urge the voters of American Samoa to seriously consider whether Congressman Faleomavaega deserves your respectful vote to return him to the U.S. Congress as a representative of American Samoa.

A respectful citizen

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