REPRESENTATIONS OF PACIFIC ISLANDER IDENTITY: OURS AND THEIRS

Authors

Kirsten McGavin, University of QueenslandFollow

Abstract

This article explores how Pacific Islander identities—particularly within diasporic communities in Australia—are shaped through the interplay between stereotypical media portrayals and lived cultural realities. While Western tourism and media have long perpetuated romanticized images of Pacific “paradise,” these depictions often obscure the diversity and complexity of actual Island life. Through case studies—including climate change rallies, community gatherings, and online forums—the article examines how Islanders respond to, resist, and sometimes repurpose outsider stereotypes to articulate self-representations that are both grounded and adaptive. The study highlights the dynamic processes of identity formation in the Pacific diaspora and the ongoing negotiation between authenticity and imagination.

Recommended Citation

McGavin, Kirsten (2015) "REPRESENTATIONS OF PACIFIC ISLANDER IDENTITY: OURS AND THEIRS," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 38: No. 1, Article 11.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol38/iss1/11