(Continued from Page 1)
What’s at stake?
This case was never about justice as we know it. The balance of power is a process that most of us don’t have
the resources to achieve to shift in our favor. At least not for the collective Pacific Islander community and
especially not for Samoan Americans.
The case evolved in to defending Roketi’s “Right to live” in the U.S and whether as immigrants (even as
model immigrants) we have equal access to the protections afforded all citizens under the US Constitution.
What’s at stake is the translation of these rights for those perceived to be second class citizens. Those
immersed in stereotype and racial profiles in the highest propensity. And ultimately, without due process,
being guilty by association with justice rendered immediately by those in authority.
Roketi Su’e, whose name no one in the courtroom could pronounce, was profiled according to LBPD dispatch
tapes, as a “shirtless Samoan male” killed for his inability to succumb to police brutality. The kicking of his
head; the choke-hold; the tasers; the beating from the baton by two officers --none seemed more favorable
than the immediacy of a bullet to the torso while he was on the ground face down. The colorism of such law-
enforcement interpretation of ‘bodily threat’ is as deep as the blood that stains the sidewalks of the 3400
block of 67th Street in Long Beach where Roketi was killed in front of children, neighbors and his family.
http://tinyurl.com/racismprevails
A flawed perception of justice
Justice continues to tilt in favor of the few that influence the system. We, as a unified community of color will
never be able to exercise our power of critical mass, --which we are in Southern California--- if we succumb to
the suppression of our voice.
Roketi was a son, a brother, an uncle. He was a Samoan immigrant who lived in the shadows of his
neighborhood. He was comforted by the security of his church and family; and conformist to the peaceful
leadership who cease to speak out against his unjustly killing.
What’s next?
Out of respect for the wishes of the Su’e family, Pacifika Voice has refrained from public outcry. This ruling is
an outrage and let the record show that we are furious about the outcome.
However, if you wish to follow this story and or have something to say about this issue, join the PacifikaVoice
community and bring these stories of and about Pacific Islanders front and center. Figure 1 illustrates the
existing conditions of crimes against persons in Long Beach.
PacVoice is committed to bringing the voice of the people of the Pacific to the national conversation on the
state of our communities and advocating for recognition, social justice and inclusion. Chime in on the Flare at
www.PacifikaVoice.com
What’s at stake?
This case was never about justice as we know it. The balance of power is a process that most of us don’t have
the resources to achieve to shift in our favor. At least not for the collective Pacific Islander community and
especially not for Samoan Americans.
The case evolved in to defending Roketi’s “Right to live” in the U.S and whether as immigrants (even as
model immigrants) we have equal access to the protections afforded all citizens under the US Constitution.
What’s at stake is the translation of these rights for those perceived to be second class citizens. Those
immersed in stereotype and racial profiles in the highest propensity. And ultimately, without due process,
being guilty by association with justice rendered immediately by those in authority.
Roketi Su’e, whose name no one in the courtroom could pronounce, was profiled according to LBPD dispatch
tapes, as a “shirtless Samoan male” killed for his inability to succumb to police brutality. The kicking of his
head; the choke-hold; the tasers; the beating from the baton by two officers --none seemed more favorable
than the immediacy of a bullet to the torso while he was on the ground face down. The colorism of such law-
enforcement interpretation of ‘bodily threat’ is as deep as the blood that stains the sidewalks of the 3400
block of 67th Street in Long Beach where Roketi was killed in front of children, neighbors and his family.
http://tinyurl.com/racismprevails
A flawed perception of justice
Justice continues to tilt in favor of the few that influence the system. We, as a unified community of color will
never be able to exercise our power of critical mass, --which we are in Southern California--- if we succumb to
the suppression of our voice.
Roketi was a son, a brother, an uncle. He was a Samoan immigrant who lived in the shadows of his
neighborhood. He was comforted by the security of his church and family; and conformist to the peaceful
leadership who cease to speak out against his unjustly killing.
What’s next?
Out of respect for the wishes of the Su’e family, Pacifika Voice has refrained from public outcry. This ruling is
an outrage and let the record show that we are furious about the outcome.
However, if you wish to follow this story and or have something to say about this issue, join the PacifikaVoice
community and bring these stories of and about Pacific Islanders front and center. Figure 1 illustrates the
existing conditions of crimes against persons in Long Beach.
PacVoice is committed to bringing the voice of the people of the Pacific to the national conversation on the
state of our communities and advocating for recognition, social justice and inclusion. Chime in on the Flare at
www.PacifikaVoice.com
Article - Long Beach 2.0: The Roketi Su'e Story
by Nafanua, Staff Writer
by Nafanua, Staff Writer
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