This last section of “The Tattoo” Response assignments consists of two questions:
1. Does Chris McKinney’s approach to telling the stories in “The Tattoo” perpetuate racial stereotypes?
2. How can we as a society reduce and prevent gender-based violence?
1. Does Chris McKinney’s approach to telling the stories in “The Tattoo” perpetuate racial stereotypes?
Local stereotypes are a constant theme throughout “The Tattoo” with Chris McKinney’s approach to storytelling perpetuating racial stereotypes. Christ McKinney’s portrayal of Ken’s best friend Koa is a good example of stereotyping. Koa grew up on the Windward side of the island and is of native Hawaiian ancestry. Because of his lack of resources, Koa blames “haoles” for taking his family’s land and robbing him of his inheritance. He embodies several key sociological concepts accompanying negative stereotypes. Koa also displays a sort of ethnocentrism (a view of society in which one’s own ethnic group is the center of everything) and the process of scapegoating all “haoles” for being “greedy” and taking away his land. While Koa’s family is not extremely poor, author Chris McKinney portrays native Hawaiians as being stratified in mostly the lower socioeconomic class with an intense hatred for “haoles.” Class-read articles such as “Talking Story with Hawaii's Youth” and the article linked below demonstrate the dangers associated with racial stereotype and problems.
“Racial tensions are simmering in Hawaii's melting pot”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-03-06-hawaii-cover_N.htm
Part of the article reproduced below.
The Feb. 19 attack, in which a Hawaiian father and son were arrested and charged with beating a soldier and his wife unconscious, was unusual here for its brutality.”
Last month's road-rage incident began when an SUV driven by Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Dussell, 26, who has served two tours in Iraq, struck the parked car of Gerald Paakaula, 44, at a shopping center, according to a police affidavit filed in court. Paakaula and his 16-year-old son allegedly assaulted Dussell and his wife, Dawn, 23.
The teenager allegedly shouted an obscenity along with the Hawaiian term for a white person, haole (pronounced "howl-ee"), while attacking the soldier.
From this example, we can observe Chris McKinney’s portrayal of native Hawaiians in “The Tattoo” is to a certain degree perpetuating racial stereotypes in Hawaii.
2. How can we as a society reduce and prevent gender-based violence?
Although women have made large stride in equal rights movement and there is a growing awareness of gender equality, domestic violence appears to be growing as well. Domestic violence is introduced in the final chapters of “The Tattoo.” We see Koa become extremely violent in his relationship with his wife Kahala. He admits to Ken that he lost control after the cesspool incident and violently beat his wife. Later when he finds out that Kahala has been receiving money from Claudia and he loses his temper again. Final Kahala gives Koa an ultimatum: control his temper or risk losing her and the children. He agrees to change and goes to church for a while, but eventually anger gets the best of him. Resulting in Kahala leaving with the children and filing for divorce. Their last time together as a family at his son’s birthday party ends tragically in Koa’s murder of Kahala and suicide. Although as unbelievable and tragic as it seems, domestic violence cases in Hawaii are more common than it should be. According to the article reproduced in parts below.
“Domestic Violence Homicide Cases on Oahu Up, Victim's Family Tries to Cope”
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/13414069/domestic-violence-homicide-cases-on-oahu-up-victims-family-tries-to-cope?redirected=true
Royal Kaukani, 25, was gunned down in broad daylight, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend whom she had a protective order against.
...there's been a spike in the number of killings -- seven domestic violence homicide cases so far this year.
The article above along with the class readings on Rothenberg’s “Violence Against Women” and “Enacting Masculinity” are examples that proves domestic violence is a real and serious threat against women everywhere. The real problem with domestic violence is the way it is set up. The concept of hegemonic masculinity and the role it plays in different-gender relationships involves the ideas of masculinity, male superiority, and objectifying women. The only way we as a society can effectively reduce and prevent gender-based violence is to become more responsible men. In his video, Tony porter, co-founder of the nonprofit organization: “A Call to Men: The National Association of Men and Women Committed to Ending Violence Against Women” describes that men need to confront the problem within themselves and take responsibility for their masculinity.
Tony Porter’s video “What’s Wrong With Being A Man”
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/04/10/whats-wrong-with-being-a-man/
Transcript reproduced below.
See collectively, we as men are taught to have less value in women, to view them as property and the objects of men. We see that as an equation that equals violence against women. We as men, good men, the large majority of men, we operate on the foundation of this whole collective socialization. We kind of see ourselves separate, but we’re very much a part of it. You see, we have to come to understand that less value, property and objectification is the foundation and the violence can’t happen without it. So we’re very much a part of the solution as well as the problem.
Tony stresses the importance of teaching men how to responsibly handle their masculinity.
In conclusion, “The Tattoo” has been an epic ride providing a rare glimpse into the culture hiding behind the beaches and life that most people see. Even for me although I’ve lived in Hawaii all my life I feel I’ve learned new things about Hawaii and its culture through this book and course becoming a better-informed global citizen.
Thank you Professor David. Best wishes to you in New Zealand!
References:
McKinney, Chris. “The Tattoo.” Honolulu: Mutual, 1999. Print.
Parrillo, Vincent. “Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations.” Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, 2008. Print.
Kasindorf, Martin. “Racial Tensions are Simmering in Hawaii's Melting Pot.” USA TODAY, 2007. Web. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-03-06-hawaii-cover_N.htm.
Sugimoto, Minna. “Domestic Violence Homicide Cases on Oahu Up, Victim's Family Tries to Cope.” Hawaii News Now, 2010. Web. http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/13414069/domestic-violence-homicide-cases-on-oahu-up-victims-family-tries-to-cope?redirected=true.
Porter, Tony. “What’s Wrong With Being A Man.” The Society Pages, 2011. Web. http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/04/10/whats-wrong-with-being-a-man/
