A crooked man Robert Louis Stevenson exploited Samoa
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Taken from the BACK OF THE 135 podcast episode 97 with Michael Field.
Full audio here: anchor.fm/back...
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Out of the mouth of babes! You are so right! Why are there no statues of the heroes of Samoa? Fascinating history!!
1. The Samoan chiefs imprisoned by the German authorities (denounced by Stevenson), in return to the support he gave them and his visit to them in prison, in gratitude built a road to his house - an incident unique in colonial history. Later, after his death in a few hours they cut a path to the top of Mount Vaia to bury him. 2. Stevenson actively supported Mataafa and in a way 'built a monument to him' in _A Footnote to History_.
Then: 3. In what way exactly did Stevenson 'exploit Samoa'?. 3. In what way exactly was he 'crooked'? 4. The claim that he was a gun runner corresponds to no evidence I have seen - can you cite your evidence?
Very interesting views and as Samoan, it makes you really think about what this Palagi is saying. I really enjoyed this video.
Thanks for shedding light. Respect to the honest palagi.
I admire Michael Field for exposing the ill-treatment of Samoans by the NZ administrators during our sad colonial past.
About statues, you won't find any statues at Mulinuu or anywhere else to honour our fighting forefathers. In Samoa we don't do statues, it's not our thing. Unless of course you walk into a Catholic church (no offence). But if ever we're going to start erecting statues then the first one should be that of Lauaki Namulau'ulu Mamoe (the one who started the Mau and the precursor to our freedom).
As for the monuments to the dead American and German soldiers/sailors at Sogi or Mulinuu, they were erected by the respective US and German administrations during their colonial rule. Samoa did not erect those monuments.
This educational video is appreciated and it should be welcomed with an open mind.
We don't do flags either, or currency, or a parliament... yet we have those things. There's nothing inherently wrong with statutes and Michael makes a good point about statutes in Mulinuu only being palagi and not Samoan.
Wow...Well said. What about erecting a monument or reserve a memorial day of our MAU Forefathers, especially the very first Mau for Samoa...MAU A PULE (1908) Led by Lauaki Mamoe Namulauulu, over the German Occupation of then Western Samoa? (1900-1914).
💯agree! What about our samoa ancestors! Wheres there statue! RLS is a joke!
I think there is a bit of an overstatement of your case. I mean, I dont think RLS is regarded as a hero of Samoan history by Samoans. But he was certainly on of the more astute Palagi observers of late nineteenth century Samoan life and poitics. In his book "Footnote to history," he makes all the points that you make re the three powers and Mata'afa's political and military prowess. He supported Mata'afa, knew Tuimalealiifano and Malietoa Laupepa. His book is not exactly a history, but shows he had a clear grasp, if partisan understanding of what was going on. His sense of the injustice is palpable and this is understandable given his own concerns with Scottish history. 'Footnote' (and the Hurricane in 1889) advertised to the world what was happening in Samoa. ie gunboats of 3 nations in Samoan waters would be what DEFCON level in modern parlance?? FAnny's letter are really good too. The Vailima plot was bought by Moors on his behalf - I am not sure, if it was owned by Mata'afa- Sometime after he died (1895) the property is in the hands of the German Administration. Samoans cleared a path to his grave, calling it ( " the road of the loving hearts". I do agree with you, that perhaps RLS importance is overblown, but what a guy to have as an observer at that time. Ma le fa'aaloalo
I prefer to ask the Samoan's why they loved him instead of taking this guy's opines. Who is he anyway?
I've always loved your thoughts on these topics uncle!! Alofa atu xox
I enjoyed this interview
Michael field is great love your work.
Nice work@wes wes...creating good discussions..
I commented on a Robert Louis Stevenson video on CZcams filmed by Samoan Tourism. Asking about how RLS received the land for his residence and what he actually did for the "Independence" movement. They weren't able to answer my questions but were very protective of the "myth" of his being the White Saviour.
I also question the landing of Christianity in Samoa and challenge the idea that we were savages who were saved by the coming of the Bible. I mean before Christianity we had a complex class system of Royal Titles and land ownership and villages and kinships with oral histories tracing back thousands of years. Yes Colonisation and Christianity brought with it many positives that our people used to our advantage. But to say that we were undeveloped savages is an insult to our ancestry and the thousands of years that our people had survived before the palalagi burst onto the scene.
We had also mastered the seas had trade and contact with our neighbours Fiji and Tonga. Tonga especially who had conquered Samoa for over 300 years. I've often thought what the original Samoans looked like before the Tongan invaders had infiltrated our bloodlines. Guess we will never know.
They infiltrated Samoan bloodlines? Lol
Tonga never ruled samoa. If that were true samoa would not be on the map today. Someone made that shit up to make the tongan monarchy look solid. Tongan monarchy rule the flowers.
Fiji is the father to Tonga and Samoa
Someone needs to do more reading about our Polynesian history!!! Tonga did rule over Samoa at a time in our history. And remember... our ancestors did come from Fiji.... and if you knew any of our Polynesian history, u would know that our Samoan bloodlines run as strong through Tongan bloodline as they do with Fiji. This is a perfect example of why we need to educate ourselves and read up in our Polynesian history and not rely on CZcams comment for info. Try going to the library and check out old Polynesian history books or search and buy old Poly books online....that’s where you will find the missing treasures and information recorded from first hand accounts of people who were closest to our history, rather relying on “my uncle said back in the days...” stories. You guys need to humble down brother and know your history before posting your rubbish...
@@ahh-2-ahh yes mon
Love you Michael Field. Great man.
An interesting insight!!
This guy hahahaha
He was one of the character that RLS wrote but Didn’t make Robert Louis Stevenson’s book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde lol
He still angry today 😆
He's spitting some facts. We should honour our own. Not RLS.
I love our Ancestors. We will die for Samoa.praise be to Tagaloa.
Feeling this
Judging Stevenson today with how things were done 100 years ago is nonsense. Traveling and entering countries was completely different back then. Getting a house in Samoa back then was different. 100 years ago it was normal for mid age European men to take a 13 year old wife.
Talofae
Who is this flatulent non entity?
And why give him air space to try and character assassinate the Tusitala, Robert Louis Stevenson, who was loved by the Samoan people, and wished to be laid to rest in Samoa?
That land was gifted by Catholic High chief, Mata'afa Iosefo, to his beloved friend, "Le Tusitala," so he could recover from his lupus illness and live on in Samoa.
Harry J. Moors build RLS that villa. (See the Book: "With Stevenson in Samoa," by H. J. Moors 1854)
It was a vibrant time in Samoa.
There were many Europeans there, at that time, kind of like the Cassablanca effect, and it was a good time for a writer like Stevenson to be in Samoa, to capture the atmosphere with his pen.
The love affair was mutual between RLS and the Samoan people.
A pity, this Papalagi appears to want to stink bomb it with his BS.
Low grade interview, sorry to say.
Talofae!
I completely agree with you! This interview is total garbage. This guy does not know the first thing about Stevenson, who was adored by the Samoans - and for good reason! He was one of the few foreigners who really immersed themselves in Samoan traditions and local lore which inspired him. And in return he gave the Samoans his stories. The Samoans loved a great story teller and probably still do. And Stevenson also involved himself in their day-to-day business, and he was often inclined to side with the Samoans. When Stevenson died, his Samoan friends, who were heartbroken, insisted to clear away the vegetation in just one day, in order to make a path, on which Stevenson's coffin could be carried up to the mountain top where he wanted to be buried.
This guy does not come up with a single good argument, why Stevenson might have been bad for the Samoans. The truth is, that Stevenson was good for the Samoans, and the Samoans were good for Stevenson!
And it is not Stevenson's fault if certain Samon personalities do not receive enough appreciation today. This issue has nothing to do with Stevenson. I am all for honoring important Samoans and for increasing knowledge about them, especially amongst the younger generation. And I am quite sure that Stevenson would have been the first to agree 😉
RLS fake news! Thank you for telling the truth about this Robert! Robert love for SAMOA is a FAKE!
Se Ed, soia le kisi i le muli flatulent a papalagi. Roberto is not a god and criticisms of him is fair game.
@@sabineb.5616 Samoans is plural, it's not a single entity.
I never thought of RLS as crooked. what evidence for this - was that land not gifted to him, and additional at his death - what are the evidences for what he's saying.I believe what he's saying about royal navy attacking samoans.
He is so right about RLS,,, please read his history, he was a crooked man before he left England.
So he is stating his opinions which we should take with what, decades after RLS death.
Wow.... First I've heard this.
Because this jackass made it up.
Is it not recorded that there were foreign navy vessel's (American, British and German) facing off against each other in Samoan waters. Each decided to back up a house of their choice during the Samoan civil war. Each with their own agenda. DIVIDE and Conquer much?!
This is hella interesting lol, is this man an academic? Would like to read some of his work.
Good to know who Mr Baldie is, now I know to disregard all other videos where he is speaking his lies LOL
8:44 Interesting take. Robert Louis Stevenson is remembered as an important figure in boosting the faaSamoa and the pule of matai over that of the colonial administration. In fact, I once read that it was RLS that inspired Faleula and the chiefs to challenge the German authorities. Michael Fielding though is bringing up a good point that this perspective is full of kae. Where was RLS when faction of Samoans from the Mataafa side were fighting with Malietoa because the British overstepped and crowned Malietoa as "King"?
Samoans were already holding on to their culture and rule long before Robert set foot in Apia. It is the lives of many unknown Samoans who fought and died that should be remembered, not some fraudster storyteller from afar.
Very true
Yup 💯right!
He looks like one of those flat earthers people.
Interesting