In its final chapters, “The Tattoo,” takes us once again into a Hawaii often unknown to tourists, nonresidents, or even those who do not take a closer look. As Ken and his wife return to the Windward side, their lives are changed due to the difference in economic means, as well as the different culture. The change in their lives based on their location shows the way in which locations all hold their own cultures and norms, even if they are in close proximity. Here, the difference is between rural and metropolitan Hawaii- while the city brings the dangers of the corrupt, illegal behavior displayed by Mama San, Ken’s hometown brings with it’s unique issues of poverty, alcoholism, and domestic violence. Again, relative deprivation shows it’s dark face as the couple must struggle in a culture far removed from gold chains and luxurious apartments.
While “The Tattoo” portrays racism in Hawaii in a striking manner, I chose to research the subject further, moving beyond the fictional into reality. Though I have personally experienced racism in Hawaii (mostly through being turned down for jobs where the employees sneered at me for being white on my way out, or the elderly lady in my building that makes comments about the “f***ing haoles” every time my husband or I enter the elevator with her), I was fascinated by the fact that even groups within the island have hostility towards one another. The feud between Ken’s father and Claudia is obviously based on stereotypes and prejudiced perceptions. The previous reading from the semester, titled “Talking Story with Hawaii’s Youth: Confronting Violent and Sexualized Perceptions of Ethnicity and Gender,” provides examples of how Samoans, Filipinos, and Japanese residents of Hawaii view each other, and develop stereotyped views of other ethnicities.
While reading this book, I began to think more about how racism is perpetuated in Hawaii, and how it comes to exist. It is easy to see where racism towards “haoles” stems from- tourism is one of Hawaii’s largest industries, and many tourists are Caucasian. While tourism does bring in a lot of revenue to the state, I think that the concept of relative deprivation is often at play- while most locals do not tend to be wealthy, they often have to cater to wealthy tourists that stay in nice hotels and relax on the beach drinking Mai Tais. It is easy to see this disparity in wealth. In addition, tourist destinations such as Waikiki are heavily discriminatory. Even the homeless are banned from staying in Waikiki in order to preserve the tourist destination’s image. Instead, the homeless are forced to live on the streets of downtown Honolulu or the west side of the island, on a beach essentially known as tent city.
But how are racial tensions perpetuated amongst locals? Based on The Tattoo, as well as the reading “Talking Story with Hawaii’s Youth,” it seems that these tensions occur in a similar manner to many big cities housing many diverse races- stereotypes. Stereotypes such as Samoans being violent, or Filipinos owning illegal businesses, are perpetuated by other’s perceptions, and often become self-fulfilling prophecy as other ethnic groups reject those they are unfamiliar with, thus causing individuals to follow the paths that others perceive them to do. For example, Claudia rebels against her mother’s lifestyle, yet does not find acceptance in Ken’s family. It is easy to see how an individual in that situation may return to their family and carry on and perpetuate the stereotype because discrimination keeps them from finding a new place in the world.
Overall, “The Tattoo” provides a glimpse into the cultures and subcultures within Hawaii, depicting with brutal honesty the many social problems and structures that exist behind the beautiful beaches and idyllic sunsets portrayed in travel guides. In addition, it provides insight into prison culture as well, which is a society in and of itself, containing hierarchies, norms, and structures that regulate behavior and social interaction within the establishment.
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