The Definition of Race in the United States
The definition of a race in the United States of America has never been entirely clear. It has long made an effort to create both a state and a nation made up of many tribes. This includes Muslims, Christians, and people of all races. However, it has been noted that America's feeling of nationalism is reportedly evolving unevenly as an increasing number of people from varied racial backgrounds are gradually assimilated within its borders.
The Phrase "Hawaii's Last Queen"
The phrase "Hawaii's Last Queen" refers to a superb American documentary that explores the intricate tale of how Americans came to rule Hawaii and the crucial role that Queen Liliuokolani played in that process. The documentary outlines the events and intrigues that led to the Queen's loss of sovereignty. The Queen was a strong-willed individual, and the most educated person in Hawaii. However, she only assumed the throne after her vacillating brother had ruled poorly. The film tends to document racial relations between Americans and Hawaiians.
The Political Shift in Hawaii
The political shift in Hawaii is seen to have shifted slowly to the Americans. This is because the Hawaiians were slowly assimilated into the American culture. For instance, the Americans administered Queen Liliuokolani's childhood school (Anna, 2006). As a result, some of her beliefs and customs were adopted from the American culture. One of the foreign influences was the manner in which the queen was forced by Americans to hand over her rights to Hawaii. This is because she had the impression that Americans would bring positive change to Hawaii by righting the numerous wrongs existing in the country and that at the end of it all her power would be restored. However, the Americans failed to fulfill this promise.
Race Relations in Hawaii
Race relations refer to the various ways in which individuals of different races live together and interact with one another in the same community. Americans interacted with Hawaiians, giving them the opportunity to gain political power through several ways. Firstly, there is the use of missionaries. The film tends to document in a clear manner the ways in which the American missionaries came over and forced Christianity and the American culture onto the Hawaiian people. For instance, Queen Liliuokolani was raised in the American culture through schooling. As a result, the missionaries considered her normal. However, for the typical and everyday Hawaiians, this was a major change (Anna, 2006). The Americans robbed them of their values and made it difficult for them to express their concerns.
Americans' Economic and Political Power in Hawaii
The Americans gained economic and political power for different reasons, further demonstrating race relations between Americans and Hawaiians. Firstly, the Hawaiian King normally turned to the American missionaries for advice. As a result, the Americans played a crucial and pivotal role in Hawaii. This is by introducing Christianity, banning the Hula, as well as building schools for the elite families. In addition, the Americans also had the Bayonet constitution that stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of its constitutional powers and later replaced the cabinet with different members from the businessmen's party. The race relations between the Americans and Hawaiians were full of tension. For instance, it was unfair the manner in which the Americans treated the Queen. They forcefully took over the throne at gunpoint. In addition, they also imprisoned her for no apparent reason and secluded her from the rest of society. In the end, she died a frustrated and disappointed person because the Hawaiians were colonized by the Americans.
The Americans' Intentions and Deception
The race relations and intentions of the Americans towards the people of Hawaii can be described as debauched. This is because the American people had the aim of exploiting the Hawaiian economy. The Americans can, in this case, be demonstrated deceit, and there was some form of foul play involved. The Americans colonized the people of Hawaii with the excuse that they were not religious and civilized. However, this form of race relations had numerous disadvantages. Firstly, there was a loss of culture for the people of Hawaii because the Americans were trying to impose their own values and customs on them. Another disadvantage is the brutality demonstrated by the Americans. Queen Liliuokolani was detained away from the rest of society and also stripped of her powers. As a result, the Hawaiian people lost their independence. In addition, the Americans also took over the economic and political control over the territory, further adding to their teething troubles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that the film tends to document the race relations between Americans and Hawaiians. The Queen tends to express her feelings and thoughts through her diary, giving her perspectives on what transpired between the two nations. The film shows the manner in which race relations can be beneficial as well as catastrophic in some instances. For instance, the Hawaiians were able to obtain quality education as a result of school construction for the elite families by the Americans. However, the race relations with Americans also proved disastrous because the Hawaiians lost their sovereignty, economic and political power. In addition, they were also stripped of their cultural as well as religious values. As a result, they were forced to adopt the American culture.
References
Anna D. S (2006). America’s Experience: Hawaii’s last Queen. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/WuKLYVLJa4
