Nights at the Brown Table

We are back for 2024! We discuss what Spencer Leniu called Ezra Mam during the first round of the NRL. We chat about the incident and why we think it is/isn't racist.

We also discuss OneFour rapper YP's return to church and how church members can be cringe with people we consider as celebrities

2023 was busy, but we wanted to make sure we popped in to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year before it was all over.

We chat about our 2023 year in review, what we did for Christmas and a tip on how one might cope with the lonely nights.

Stay safe out there - no glove, no love!

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Lisa is navigating her way through the tumultuous terrain of high school when she finds herself at the center of a love-web at school. While trying to maintain a relationship with her very conservative Tongan mum - chaos ensues.

We chat about our thoughts on the film Inky Pinky Ponky starring Amanaki Prescott-Faletau, directed by Damon Fepulea’i & Ramon Te Wake.

Check it out via the link - https://youtu.be/7pLjWgiFGTc

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"Red, White and Brass" (directed by Damon Fepulea'i) is a feel-good comedy that follows the antics of Maka (played by John-Paul Foliaki) as he attempts to secure tickets to the big rugby match - France v Tonga - not just for himself, but his entire church congregation.

We chat about our favourite scenes, characters and the difference it makes when our stories are told by our people.

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In March 2023 OneFour released a video recording of their backstage confrontation with police before the walkout of Paulo Aokuso.

They were stopped by police for 'not cooperating' when told they could not perform, their song was also not permitted to be played during the event. OneFour has been banned from performing in NSW their home state since they debuted onto the music scene.

We chat about the validity of the ban, the right way to do a poo, the film Everything Everywhere All At Once and go on so many tangents your head might spin.

Listen to OneFour on your chosen music streaming platform, including their latest single COMMA'S.

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Apologies for the delay we recorded this ep a few months ago.

The NRL celebrate Women in League by wearing an alternate version of their team jersey for one round of the competition. This year Manly Sea Eagles included Pride colours as part of their design to showcase inclusivity.

Seven players opted not to play that round because they felt the Pride Flag representation clashed with their 'cultural and religious beliefs'.

We discuss this decision of the players, as majority of them were Pasefika

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Manti Te'o was a rising college football star that seemed like he had it all, including girlfriend Lennay Kekua. The only catch was - they never met in person and Lennay Kekua wasn't "real"

We chat about the netfix documentary "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist"

Directed by Tony Vainuku and Ryan Duffy, we follow the story of Manti Te'o and how he was catfished by Naya Tuiasosopo (known as Ronaiah at the time)

We discuss whether Naya was remorseful, was Manti a victim or a participating member in the hoax and theorise on the identity of Chris.

P.s

Please forgive Sila and her laughing - she is yet to go through sensitivity training.

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In July 2022, there was a video circulating of an altercation between two groups of young men in Brisbane. During the confrontation, a young man was stabbed and sadly passed soon after. We express condolences to his family and loved ones.

We chat about the various responses to the video, the morality of sharing trauma porn videos depicting violence/death online and further digress into conversations about our own funeral plans.

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We chat about the policy of a nightclub in Brisbane that refused Moale James entry due to her Papuan reva reva facial markings. Moale James is a proud Papua New Guinean-Australian woman, who has documented her reva reva journey. You can find more detail about her story on her website (https://www.moalejames.com).

We talk about the fairness of the policy, whether the entry refusal was due to racial discrimination, stereotypes associated with tattoos or culutral markings and why Aussies call slippers/jandals/flip flops thongs.

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We chat about Pasefika seasonal workers in Australia, the senate hearing, shortcomings of the Pacific-Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM) and how Pacific workers are being abused. We discuss Blackbirding of Pasefika people and how these programs, in some way, are a continuation of that awful practice.

As always, we want ways to help.

1. Read up on some articles and watch/listen to the senate hearing. You can find that here:

https://parlview.aph.gov.au/mediaPlayer.php?videoID=567875&operation_mode=parlview#/1

2. If you know people who are part of the labour scheme - reach out and make sure they have everything they need, particularly during these Winter months.

3. If you don't personally know anyone you can help, join a local effort in collecting things to send to regional areas.

4. Pressure your local MPs - squeak up!

Here are a few articles:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-11/pacific-island-scheme-wages-deducted-high-rent-inverell/12336278

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/02/pacific-workers-not-backpackers-should-do-australias-regional-work-world-bank

https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-better-conditions-not-shaming-for-pacific-farm-workers-171404

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-17/blackbirding-australias-history-of-kidnapping-pacific-islanders/8860754