Faitala. Faitala. Faitala.
Faitala means gossip in Samoan, both the verb and the noun. It's also the name of the bimonthly newsletter put out by Peace Corps volunteers here. The newsletter is a conglomeration of news, stories, tips and humor (sort of).
The last issue had a story about "Crisis Corps" arriving in Micronesia, tips on fighting body odor, horoscopes, a profile of Bob Marley amongst other items. Most of it was actually good.
However, there was also a story inside entitled "Who Remembers When?: Good Time in Samoa." This article about the misadventures (mostly drunken) of a few PCVs is just plain offensive.
Why I do I need to read about volunteers falling over themselves, making fools of themselves and being embarrasing American idiots? I don't. No one does. Maybe this stuff happens sometimes, but so what? It's neither funny nor poignant, so I don't need it. This is personal stuff. It doesn't need to be broadcast to other volunteers, to the Peace Corps staff or anyone in Samoa who should happen upon a copy of Faitala.
If it's not bad enough that this story never should have seen print, there's a discaimer at the bottom which states, "Please do not take this article to mean that all PC Samoa volunteers are “drunks”". The insuation that any volunteers are "drunks" is not only insulting, it's asinine. You'd think volunteers were waking up in the morning, taking the day's first swig of hooch, falling asleep in the street in the middle of the day and spending their last sene on gutrot. Isn't that what drunks do? PCVs like to drink, some might even be alcoholics, but drunks? I don't think so.
I wrote an email to the editors letting them know how I felt. If I felt like this, think how the volunteers who were named in the story felt. The response was less then enthusiastic, as you can imagine.
One of the editors wanted to have a "little" talk with me, which is fine, except I didn't think I had anything more to add. I was curious, however, to see what she would say. She tells me that they are so happy to have submissions, that they'll print just about anything, which is both sad and pathetic. What If I wrote a story about how foul and obonoxious some volunteers are? Would they print that? I suppose they would.
She claimed Faitala was an open forum, which it's not. It's a closed forum. What are they going to do, print a retraction or an apology in the next newsletter 2 months from now when people have forgotten all about it. I don't think so. On the other had, this is site is an open forum. Feel free to comment away and tell me I'm ass. Go ahead, make my day.
She then went on to blame me for not saying anything before since I happened to be in the room when she was doing the final edits on the newsletter. As if I had any clue what stories she was working on. This is a very sad reality here of people not taking responsiblity for their actions.
The only thing she apologized for was taking the writer's word that all the volunteers mentioned in the story had been contacted and were ok with the contents. Of course, this turned out to be a complete load of shit.
Apparently the author was told that she had to get approval of all the mentioned volunteers. Not only did she not ask everybody, when she did ask them, at least on one occasion, she refused to share the contents of the story, was subsequently denied permission to run it by the volunteer, and went ahead and did it anyway. Could you be more disrespectful to your fellow volunteers? I suppose you could, but it would take concerted effort.
Meanwhile, the author found out about my objections to the printing of her story, and is none too pleased. I don't have a problem with her (at least until I discovered her "approval" methods). She can write all the stupid, offensive drivel she wants. The editors have the responsiblilty to make the judgement about what does and what does not belong in a volunteer newsletter. Anyway, this author has been telling people that I have no business making comments about her article because (apropos of nothing) I'm a bad volunteer.
Even if I am a bad volunteer (does she know what I do? does she know what my motivations are? I think you know the answer to that) what difference does it make if I have problem with her story? I think if anyone her criticized her story would be labeled a "bad volunteer" the same way anyone criticizes the current administration is "anti-American."
On top of all this, the story also commits the horrible sin of trying to be funny and failing miserably. You don't have to take my word for it. You can read the whole thing below (names withheld out of respect, which is more than I can say for Faitala.
Who Remembers When?
Good Times in Samoa
By ***** *******There have been so many events in Samoa that we all end up laughing about. I mean lets face it, most of us are walking train wrecks and here we are all together on a little island. Outcome? A lot of seriously funny shit happening. So let’s just take a few faitala minutes to have a cozy stroll down memory lane…
Who remembers? Ah yes, let’s not forget the time when **** and ******* in a “very sober state” decided to try to get on the cruise ship that had docked in the harbor. Did it work? Ok, honestly if **** had done the talking, maybe. But ******* decided to play it cool and give a false room number to the security guard that was NOT, of course, a room number on that same ship. Then proceeds to try and chat the guy up in order to get a glimpse at greatness. Sorry ******* , no go. It’s not Samoa everywhere. Try again next time!
Who Remembers? ****’s going away party—now there were a couple of funnies there. First we had the Aussie guy come up to a group of us “gorgeous ladies” and beg for him to take a picture with us in it. Oh Dear God. And then ***** had to put the smack down on one guy who tried to touch booty—uh, no thanks!! Let’s not forget the pole dancing—didn’t ****** go for that one too?
Who Remembers? Group 70 fiafia. ****, sasa and a whole lot of “what the hell is going on??” There ****jumping around and acting the fool, which was what he was supposed to do, but then messing up the sasa big time. Humerous and endearing ****. Very good run for your money, man.
Who Remembers? Biting it--takin’ a spill--fallin’ on yo’ ass. Who is on that list? Oh, everyone. ***** accomplished that task twice in one day on the stairs. ******* biffed in training with ******laughing too hard to help her (bitch!). ****** generally trips over her feet a lot (kidding!). Has *** ever fallen? We won’t even begin about *******…
Who Remembers? ******* in Nuie deciding it was a fantastic idea to jump from the roof into the pool. And then everyone follows suit! *****, stop playing the bucket drum! No!! The bucket drum goes over the railing down a cliff—we’ll wait till morning to scale it guys.
Who Remembers? Trying NOT to confuse a taxi driver who is dropping you off in Moto'otua. Stop here at the pole…no HERE, no just a uh, shit. Yeah thanks. Fa.
Who Remembers? *** getting dancing lessons from ***** on how to “freak” properly. How low can you really go? I think we need to ask *** that question!!
Who Remembers? ***** having to do the walk of shame and leave out the service entrance of Aggies. Why? Oh just cause she snuck in in the wee morning hours to hang out with a NZ rugby player, whose freakin name is Anzack (sic) (as in the day!!) Who would have thought—hey *****, do all Samoan guys wear panties?
Who Remembers? When ***** passed out and ****** danced around him creating a work of art out of his face. Does ***** ever wake up? Is he impossible to stir or what? Don’t forget the mustache ******! And don’t forget when *******’s name was tattooed on ***’s nether-regions. Do we even want to know about this one?
Who Remembers? ALL THE NIGHTS AT MT. VAEA!!
There are so many wonderful memories that I will be taking home from my PC experience. These are only a few. It’s important to re-cap why we are here, who we share laughs with, and generally who makes an ass of themselves! God knows I’ve done it more than once. So let the beat go on…
***Additional Disclaimer: These are the views of one PCV and do not reflect the views or attitudes of PC USA, PC Samoa, or CD/Senior Staff of PC Samoa. Please do not take this article to mean that all PC Samoa volunteers are “drunks”.
You should start submitting material. This is so horribly written on top of everything else. Train wrecks?! Most of you are train wrecks?! Better to be a bad volunteer than a train wreck.
Wow, this writing is abysmal.
Wait I know, maybe she was in a “very sober state” when she wrote it.
Looks like horrible journalism to me. And I agree with Jennifer, you should start submitting some or your stuff. You're a great writer.
In regard to the Aug. 26 whining session. Grow up. Sounds like your jealous you were not involved in the fun.
In regard to the Aug. 26 whining session. Grow up. Sounds like your jealous you were not involved in the fun.