Pacific Islanders—What does Tyson Farm have to do with all of this? (Joseph Seia, S1, Ep 6)

Joseph Seia is the Co-Executive Director of the National Association of Pasifika Organizations (NAOPO) and the founder of PICA-WA (Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington). He has 15 years of experience in direct service, youth development work, and nonprofit leadership & administration. He labors against the political erasure of Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (NH/PI) communities in data and policy by re-envisioning what it means for Pasifikans to feel cultural belonging in the U.S. Diaspora.

In Part 1 of this conversation, we talk about

Melanesia
• How unhealthy food is dumped in pacific island market, affecting their health.
• The idea that pacific islanders are primarily a black race and how anti-blackness has infiltrated the community.

Micronesia
• The harms of Japanese and us colonialism and COFA, Compact of Free Associations.
• The targeted recruitment of Pacific Islanders for food factories to avoid immigration barriers.
• The poisoning of the environment through nuclear waste plants and climate justice champions fighting this violation.

Polynesia
• The concern of viewing islands' existence as entertainment for Asian and American tourist.
• How Christianity was Samoanized when it arrived, emphasizing the idea of holding multiple beliefs in contrast to western society's belief that things can’t coexist.
• Joseph’s favorite food.

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