Jacked Up and Unjust ― Pacific Islander Teens Confront Violent Legacies

In the context of two hundred years of American colonial control in the Pacific, Irwin and Umemoto shed light on the experiences of today’s inner city and rural girls and boys in Hawai‘i who face racism, sexism, poverty, and political neglect. Based on nine years of ethnographic research, the authors highlight how legacies of injustice endure as current challenges in the present, prompting teens to fight for dignity and the chance to thrive in America, a nation that the youth describe as inherently “jacked up” and “unjust.” While the story begins with the youth battling multiple contingencies, it ends on a hopeful note, with many of the teens overcoming numerous hardships, often with the guidance of steadfast, caring adults.

Katherine Irwin is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa. She is the co-author with Meda Chesney-Lind ofBeyond Bad Girls: Gender, Violence, and Hype.

Karen Umemoto is Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa. She is the author ofThe Truce: Lessons from an LA Gang War.