Oppression of Education

by Joni Kamiya, Hawaii Farmer’s Daughter, June 23, 2016

With the Thirty Meter Telescope hearings held just the other day, I keep seeing comments about it being a symbol of oppression to the sovereignty activists.  It makes me so sad to hear this when we live in a society where we have the freedom and liberty to pursue our dreams.  How is it that people can’t see this?

The Wikipedia definition is:

If the TMT leaves Hawaii, the entire state loses an opportunity to be a part of cutting edge technology that is global.  Not only are we at a loss of technology, we’d lose out on the educational funds to help bolster the Big Island community.  The other local businesses will lose as a result of the trickle down effect.  In other words, everyone loses.

If the anti-GMO get their way, the world is sent a message that this technology is dangerous.  The poorest of farmers will be denied access to innovations that could boost their livelihoods and prevent more malnutrition in their communities.  The world will also lose out on tools like Golden Rice, which could prevent suffering and death in very young children.  As the population increases, the 975 million who are already food insecure will undoubtedly grow too.

If the environmental industry succeeds in creating Hawaii’s ocean monument, an essential food source will be lost due to the lack of access to our waters.  The people who can’t fish won’t have a commercial fisherman to provide this local staple for them.

If I apply this definition on other issues, it’s clear who the real oppressors are.

Without technology jobs, what other opportunities can our children hope for? Do we want them to be limited to just tourism jobs or do we want something more?  I want my kids to have many opportunities to make Hawaii their home.

How can we foster this scenario? We have to act now to push for educational opportunities.  Without education, people will be oppressed and limited.  Those who block the basic right to education are indeed oppressing those seeking a better future.  We, the people of Hawaii, deserve better.  Our children deserve honest conversations around investing in their futures. 

A very loud minority seeks to deny us the right to a better future through ruthless, dishonest tactics.  I’ve asked them for their alternatives and none have offered anything to replace what they take.  People who aren’t willing to collaborate on coming to an accord.  It appears as if some prefer to stay oppressed when they reject progress or want to oppress everyone else too.  I want to part of that.

Willful ignorance of the facts and refusing to learn about what you’re talking about is also oppression.  Self oppression. 

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