Abinadi Burns, Location Unknown, an interview by Savani Aupiu, 26 November 2008

Transcript (35 pages) of an interview by Savani Aupiu with Abinadi Burns on November 26, 2008, probably in Provo, Utah.

ABINADI BURNS Location Unknown An Interview Savani by Aupiu 26 November 2008 Pacific Islanders Oral History Project U-1962 American West Center and Library Department J. Willard Marriott Special University Collections Salt Lake of Utah City, Utah THE FOLLOWING IS AN INTERVIEW WITH ABINADI BURNS, RECORDED ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008. THE INTERVIEWER IS SAVANI AUPIU. THE INTERVIEW IS PART OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDERS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT, TAPE # U-1962. SA: My name Aupiu. is Savani here with Abinadi Bums. Urn, by telling me AB: Ok. a little bit about .. was didn't was were so SA: Bums. I it was in was or our Samoans half Samoan side 'cause there's not many Polynesians Anything. am are, I mean, ... name, and then just start originally from Georgia, and then, everyone else was, you or they thought was Polynesians except for The Rock. So, out um Mexican. So, people They figured they were, were. urn, were I was-that my able to connect there, ... and a um- mom was lot with the no one really knows what else do you want? anything that you can think of. Urn, so when and where were you born? AB: I was born April the eighteenth, nineteen eighty five in a town called Georgia. SA: So did you pretty much grow up in that city your whole life? AB: I was, yeah, born and raised there my whole life. SA: What are some from town. So there weren't many other mostly white people, Somalia, Africa. So, yeah, I really never, what the I'm a I born and raised in the church in, uh-like I said-a small really know what Polynesians Polynesian eight. Just to start. brown you were, like, either black when I told my friends that I from yourself? predominantly Caucasians ethnicities. Urn, let's see, like-if you two thousand My dad is African American and my mother is Samoan. And of six kids. And .I town, and it sixth, Binny can you give me your full My name is Abinadi [Bashan ?] small town in the south. am one It is November twenty of the jobs that you've had growing 1 up, up until now? Tifton, Abinadi Burns AB: I had jobs 26 November 2008 as a tutor for, like, middle school students. And University of Georgia Experiment Station, this?-it was with, urn-we did scouting would do tests for cotton fields to farmers needed to spray. That SA: So AB: are there Yeah, there a see was a urn, with, like .it .. AB: I was ... ... how do I say picking cotton, lot of cotton fields in department. Yeah, Georgia [laughs] was a go figure. AB: me, depend on SA: So what do you do AB: I'm a thought I health clinic. I worked in the was like a summer job. a job, or was that ... They really just wanted me. just' cause I wanted to buy my Didn't want to never you when you got your first job? Yeah, they encouraged more so I that's pretty much it. fourteen when I got my first-it own was-we really hard job. SA: When you got your first job, did your parents encourage you to get kind of your it lot of cotton fields? are a were with what type of insects and what type of pesticides the .. SA: How old was for, cotton. It wasn't would be in the cotton fields. I also worked at, uh .it medical records I also worked at the to focus on stuff. I wanted to have my school. It own was things. anyone. now for a living? full time student at BYU. Um dad. My dad does some, urn-he people with their financial me Or what ... you and .I work .. helps-he's situations. So I are like a help him, a little. I work financial urn, 2 a little with my consultant, and so he helps help people get out of their mortgages quicker. So that's what I do kind of on the side studying is my job. doing? to make money. Mostly just 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns SA: What do your parents do for that a what my dad does for SA: So what took your AB: Um my ... family out to-or what took them out to mom ... she served Oh, uh-huh. AB: My mom was a when she went back so a your parents out to Georgia-well mission missionary, home, in, Washington DC a And a My homemaker. Georgia? originally from Georgia. a taught my member- Um, they thought she brothers, a just marrying my plane ticket was family feel crazy. and a And ring, over a and And, my uncles. uncles, got my dad to start year urn, writing her. or some time, they got married or in the ticket, like, she on called up her they found out. But, some black guy she about that? They eloped. girlfriend suitcase stuff out the window. And her like, later taught my dad's brothers, temple. when he sent her the him my dad is dating on the phone. year, he sent her SA: Wow. How did your mom's was, is urn, in the Florida mission. And she and she my dad's they started writing. little less than AB: mom taught. SA: a living or is Wait, she what? AB: She And And my living. a dad's brothers. And my dad had just been SA: a only one that works. dad's the And, Is that what your dad does for living? side job? Yeah, that's AB: a I don't never She 3 away. She girlfriend and she started took her to the airport. on a ... uh, throwing her And then it know, they just thought she really even went now. actually ran was date with. But crazy for they love 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns SA: When AB: Um ... was the first time that her side of the they meL.my dad .I think it was .. ... family met your dad? they had met him earlier, meet him, like [inaudible 6:23], when we were little. Like, three or four. And, we there for, like, three first actually got to SA: Was your four weeks. It the first She was. family. ... was And she predominantly Catholic. she generation to She whenever she joined the was funeral, and we yeah, was like, really when ended up that was the first-she .. was actually the first one she got, um-'cause their actually preparing be, like, to a nun. church, like, she basically got kicked to And so, whenever out of the house. she when she joined? twenty. Twenty when she joined. And yeah, she got kicked ... house, and had to go live with her uncle. But and all of them are ... in the church they members yeah. the discussions and, then, of the church when she went on her urn, most of them were family was baptized come time, all of them got baptized, on her mission? mission, that's when they had just started taking baptized. after she was? AB: Um-hmm. SA: How did she over out of the now. Before she went SA: So the whole join the family was AB: She AB: Uh they up here to America? was SA: Were staying when SA: How old was we were fun with him. come actually got. a month. And so, was a They had meet my dad. mom AB: Uh-huh. She church in her or went back to California for I think it but to learn of the Church? 4 She's one of nine kids. Abinadi Burns Urn, through the missionaries, and AB: just 26 November 2008 tell her little things, and, wanted to hear it all out, know, one day she just got uh, LDS. And so she'd really interested and up here. Did they they started teaching her. so SA: Is she from American I don't of her friends was, one or Western Samoa? AB: She's from Western Samoa. SA: What village? AB: She's from [Salelonga ?], SA: Cool. Um so immediately AB: ... ... move your to mom was Georgia, Yeah, they moved Savai'i. to or family to move that's where your dad- Georgia, SA: Cool. And the closest the first of the and ... they yeah, they started their life ... in Georgia. temple was Washington DC. AB: Uh-huh. SA: How far is that from your home? AB: Washington DC, I want to say it's like a eighteen hour drive. SA: That is far. Urn, what kind of stories would your mom It's pretty far. tell you guys of her life in Samoa, before she moved up here? AB: She would tell us about-I don't know, she'd tell remember is, like, her story about her and it was like her pet. And said, like-she went wedding. And she used it for the to a came wedding." pig. us a That she had a lot. pig Only thing I really that she raised with it'd, like sleep with her. And then, like different island to go help .. .I don't know, she her uncle, and then her aunt had back, she couldn't find her pig. And they're like, "Well, And she's just like like that. 5 her, crying the whole time. a we She'd tell stories Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 So, when would your mom tell you stories about, like, her life before-what­ SA: would she, like, gather AB: It was more you guys together to tell stories, or was like, sporadic. Just, I don't know where she'd tell us something, had to do with anything we were going through, she'd, like, her. So more, like, randomly she'd tell us something. SA: Would she ever tell you Oh, yeah, all the time she'd tell SA: Is there any AB: Not come our specific that you specific, but I just us can stuff, 'cause just what happened to nothing"? stuff like that. know, just like, whenever we stuff [laughs], which is cousins and us if it think of? with full suitcases and leave with good tell or stories, like, "You better be grateful for what you have because when I grew up in Samoa I had AB: it- nothing. We like go back to Samoa, like, [inaudible 10:49], we we can't take selfish, but she'll make us leave everything for our they don't have as much as us. SA: How often would you guys go to visit Samoa? AB: We would go every other with summer well, there was a while when we'd go up there to we were going, like, every other­ spend time with our grandma and, like, help out things. SA: Has your AB: ... mom ever wanted to move back to Samoa? Yep. She's actually thinking about-both my parents, they want bit-they want to just go and live in Samoa. They just want to, like, wherever. SA: And how do you feel about that? 6 to-in a little travel and just go Abinadi Burns AB: Well, not 26 November 2008 right now. I don't want them to leave right now. Not until I graduate and get married. I SA: When your mom probably-well, tell AB: She ... first me well, her English is interesting [laughs], help Or she about it. welL.from what my dad says, her have to speak very good English? up to America did she came and kind of translate English was things for 'cause now ... well her ok. It wasn't that great, her, or English­ but, like, he'd for, yeah-for her and to other people. And, like, her English-like, she speaks well, like, I mean-but now she has kind of like a southern SA: ... she kind of sounds like southern black lady slash fob. [Laughs]. AB: So it's interesting. they, like, SA: So how did AB: a Well, like, she can write back and forth if your mom's write better than she can speak. And English wasn't that good? they would talk. guess it's just...oh, I kind of know because I've dated fobs before. different country SA: So how did AB: though, ... English isn't their did your dad know first from a language. Spanish-Spanish? [Laughs]. SA: Did he know AB: 'cause People And so, I [Laughs] Spanish and talk to her in Spanish? No. SA: Did he know any Samoan? AB: No, not at all. actually knows a Like, couple my mom songs, teaches him, but it's like, whenever we SA: In Samoan? 7 sad to hear him try to go to- speak. He 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns AB: Yeah. She On" or she'll taught him, like, My Light" there's ... they sing in rounds, and something like that, "The Lord is sing the English and they'll and he switch. So he knows a sings couple a song called "Shine the Samoan part and songs in Samoan. SA:· And then you guys would join in? AB: Yeah. SA: [Laughs] AB: Urn, she wanted to, but I don't know, 1ike and .. we ... But. you need .. know ever So did your mother want. teach you guys Samoan ... a lot of time and just because .I don't .. Yeah, she wanted mad and she'll speak in Samoan, so wanted to learn. I guess know, only Samoan we that's pretty much what SA: Urn, how would she try and teach you my dad, like, we did. I don't tried, but it never, 1ike-I don't think we to teach us, and she had that much time to just-I mean, the growing up? guys? know is, we like, when she's know. Sit down to have a class, or just kind of speak to you in Samoan? AB: Yeah she would try to when we speak to us. didn't want to hear it. and then she wanted to teach try to talk to and what us. And there they mean, SA: So what AB: I don't know. Uh that's, like, So that was a time when we and it usually wanted to learn probably the biggest thing. us was So she'd just down and she'd go over words stuff like that. were some really giving. just really random, times when she just sat of the traditions preserve in the home? Are there like was Like, we'd never find us. was But it ... She's well, any? or Samoan customs that your That you I don't know ifit's always, like, looking I guess it's like a can a tried to think of? custom, but like, I don't know, she's out for others, and just making-I think Polynesian-because, like, 8 mom most peop1e-I mean, there's Abinadi Burns southern to make hospitality, but still, people think she ... AB: Urn, feel Well, SA: Is there anything else you like ... can was going out oftheir ways lot. Just so I like, random people. people that, like, and she'd really know, or that awkward growing up, or it ... urn-we by in always And she'd just go out of her way to take us. even like always, kind of come my friends know, some we was were random care really knew. just normal? like, "Really?" [Laughs]. lady. She just"-so yeah, we of used to it. see mom, she said well there .. shoe them they have everything they need. And place to stay, a "Who is that?" "I don't AB: Um .let's a a see think of? SA: Urn, when your parents first got like .I wouldn't sure live with thought it was normal, until, just kind .. she would-there'd be she didn't SA: Did you think that were make they didn't have, like, people that They're like, people she demonstrated that rooms-they'd, like, of people, AB: I some comfortable, well, I know, the ward and had extra 26 November 2008 ... ... salesman, my married, how did they make dad, he worked at-he was time was working a living? at UPS. And then my when, like-well, actually before that, I think that's what he told my dad was me. SA: A what? AB: A shoe salesman guess money was [laughs]. tight, and so And my mom they would save said-well when we were growing up I up all their money. But for Christmas she would, like she would make-I don't know what she would make, she's just all Mary ... Kay or something, just so we'd have Christmas presents and stuff like that. know, just like random jobs they would get. SA: What were your Christmases like? 9 And, I don't Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 AB: Christmases they'd always let were us fun. Uh open up, ... the best like, thing I used to love about Christmas was present before. one SA: On Christmas Eve? AB: Yeah a kid. It on AB: Um was ... to do ... I loved Christmas And so, I don't good in school, parents-I don't know what they did. our younger, we were they taught us: just, like, they just wanted us know, SA: All of you I think we to just picked whatever we do, we to just do our best. And do the best it up and just and just wanted to excel in whatever push us much in school because AB: they were yeah, we so grew up with that I think it just we could at naturally wanted did. I guess that's what they actually didn't have to mentality. guys? Pretty much. SA: Cool. Lucky kids. I mean, your parents must be, like, "Oh my gosh, thank you so much." [Both laugh]. SA: "We don't How much did AB: K. went to as education discussed in your home? education-like, started when everything. .. fun. was SA: How Christmas Eve. And .I don't know, even they get My dad, he, college, he never, like ... have to finished SA: What's your and where did um she just push them." Urn, ... he they go me about your parents' education? to school? didn't-they both went to college-no, my mom never graduated from high school. But my dad went to college. parents' tell names? 10 college. But Abinadi Burns AB: My mom's through most SA: What 26 November 2008 name is [Lamoa ?], and my dad's name is Carlton. So, my dad got of college. college did he go to? AB: He went to Fort Valley State. It's like, a black college in the south. Only for black people? SA: AB: Um-hmm. SA: You can't be white and go there? AB: Well, it was during high school. SA: Really? a time when it was segregated. My dad had to go to an all black Does he tell you stories about back then? AB: Um-hmm. SA: Like what? AB: He was telling me [laughs] Like, he said he was so he [laughs] wet at that one [laughs] time he'd just tell school, and like, his teacher wouldn't let him go his pants. And he was, like, so spraying stuff, could hide it. So he started wetting everybody with the hose or Wait, so were his teachers not and just got into wanting to random stories. to the restroom, embarrassed that he went to the bathroom and, like, started SA: me a whole water and so fight just nobody so he could tell. go to the bathroom because he was black just because- AB: No, go to the and no. Well, it's because bathroom," they didn't whole water he's, like, bad I guess. And they're like, "No, you 'cause he'd just let him go and fight, just to so use excuses he ended up hide it. 11 to get out. He wetting his pants. actually really had So he got can't to go into, like, a Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 SA: Wow. AB: And so, black high like, a interesting. know, it's my um school and SA: That's AB: I like, he, own ... were sharecroppers. SA: Really? yeah, I've never me and he his school-he-it high white crazy to dad is ... was black and white. There school. even, like- Like, I keep thinking that's too. was a actually picked cotton. Like, my so far behind us, and grandparents, then, his parents, AB: Db-huh. SA: In Georgia? AB: In Georgia. SA: I just read a So they would pick cotton I mean, ifhe when they finally changed the AB: My dad is, like, anything negative, super always he'd hard, and like how could pick. . positive. Like, ... us there's his brothers would be I'm was Urn, Texas. so stufflike that, ifit was normal to what him, he never said anything. He never would say like, just like-I don't know there's always never use some like, "No, going to of income. about this black and white-I mean, it as a crutch or, stories about how-I don't .I want to say it was, "Yeah, I think source law. but yet he'd tell us, tell specifically, ever came across of discrimination but he'd try to know, their main book about share croppers in Texas-I think it kind of stories would your dad tell you, like, the racism? as like, an excuse. know, about how And, a hundred this can't do it." And pounds happen." then, like, 12 of cotton, in a he used to work day. morning he woke up no one And him and He's like-then he'd tell one lot I don't story about how they were telling him that, urn, like, a them, super early, Abinadi Burns before the 26 November 2008 sun came we'd laugh he'd always tell us SA: Do out and he just started. And he 'cause we'd think it was picked just ajoke [laughs]. stories about how-he's just a and But picked yeah, and picked. he just, I don't know, really hard worker. you-I'm just curious-and this isn't, like, part of my questions, but, do know of, like ... do you goes? And what were you have, like, slavery, slaves in your ancestry and how far back that do you know about it? AB: I know that it father that And was our great...our great-I think it was our great grandmother and slaves. And so, I don't know too much about it. SA: Are there stories passed down in your family about- AB: There but I don't know might be, [laughs]. SA: Write that down. AB: Yeah. I have to see. SA: Ok. AB: But my dad is one of-they had, like, a-he's one of seventeen kids. It family. SA: Oh my gosh. Then it was perfect that he married a Polynesian. AB: I know. SA: So where does he fall in his AB: He's the knee SA: The knee baby. family? He's next to the youngest, like baby? AB: Yeah, they call it the knee baby. SA: Why? 13 me. was a huge 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns AB: 'Cause they're right baby. the knee SA: I've at the knee. He's like the 'Cause he never comes heard that. Um AB: She'd tell don't he's the baby. They call right to your knee-to the mom's knee. ok. So going back to education, ... would your parents tell you about their educational Samoa, what she would tell toddler, you about going to experience? what kind of stories Your to get know, they were always telling us-I remember them telling us my graduate high from wanted to, dad, he'd tell him pay for his first But his dad sacrifices. And he stressed the college AB: This is when he quit, would, like, work extra to or was in in importance of getting high an And, to school. I not to take it for 'cause he wanted to get to a car. He just-he actually helped But he told him to stay in school. So he car. back in story about, like, how his dad wanted him school. And he wanted to like, get a job. SA: Was this in me a mom school there. me-they both had to walk, like, long distances granted. Like, it made, like, extra education to my dad. school? college. SA: What about your mom? AB: Um ... mymom? Like what would SA: Yeah, going to school there. AB: Oh, my there. And mom some actually liked of her she tell was sisters, they just didn't actually a teacher, SA: She was a one about­ school. But she said that it was, they were just thinking about getting married she us go. Or like, a ways to get they didn't really care too much, and stuff. But, she wanted to be of the teachers at the school. teacher? AB: Um-hmm. 14 a nun, and 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns SA: Urn can ... you describe your mom's attitude towards the value of education? AB: Um .I'd say her attitude towards education .. her. Like, I don't think there's any ands stressed that as-when we were or is, um ... definite1y Like, she buts about it. young, she stressed that sometimes we might want to take a break, like-she or know, keep going, and, like, don't get distracted, like, get she's definitely an advocate for .it's like our and then just we now, you can encourages us even always must to a wants me-she importance, kind of picked it up and just kind of went with it. And she, like like, .. education done. So tell, to, you yeah, education. our SA: What about your dad? AB: Same here. He and go pushes us, and like, wants us to, like, graduate and have our degrees in life. on SA: What kind of messages were you getting at home and at school about opportunities for the future? AB: Um ... yeah, encouraged a ... and lot of people mind and so there's like, were a lot of there's ... I think my lot of messages time, like when I was go to college [laughs]. Like, going to high like, "Oh, college is the way." And everyone's planning to wouldn't go to a and so, so, was school that's when like, it was same it here. I on everyone's never thought I college. SA: So what made you decide to go to BYU? AB: Urn .I don't .. urn, I ended up more normal know, BYU was actually my last place to go that I wanted to go. going' cause my brother was already out here. people than I would think because I 15 was thinking He told it was me that it going to be But, was weird, 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns there'd be weird like, I don't people. know, SA: Had you ever And did we our plus, it was really cheap too. And it's a good education, research. been to Utah before you came here? AB: Um-hrnm. SA: What kind of your was AB: I don't know, like, to call-well to come we from met some-the I always SA: In white AB: felt like I Georgia, did was you people Georgia to Utah. just not seeing black people, me. impression of Utah? or were I don't really nice, but just weird, like, know, you see, just like, predominantly Caucasians. standing out all like, It a was ton of-or just weird to the time. hang out predominantly with black people? You lived in a neighborhood? Yeah, this is funny, but like, no. I mean, it's still like-even neighborhood was predominantly white, predominantly white. But like, "Oh there's random black some our church was though, like, predominantly white, our school was still, like, just knowing that there's other people-you know, guy." It still made you feel, like, I don't know ... SA: You're normal. AB: Yeah. I still felt normal. I didn't feel like I was super out of place, even though kind of was, sort of. SA: But it was more AB: Yeah it people ... was more more so talked to a accepted black SA: Have you there- accepted. I mean, they know-I mean, they know black than, like, coming to Utah and then, like, "Oh it's person." I didn't come across get that back home. people that have said that? 16 my first time I've I Abinadi Burns AB: Yes. 26 November 2008 Here, in Utah? SA: Uh-huh. AB: Yeah, I have. I've really talked to." Or they'll be like, "Oh you're I mean, that was my first black friend," kind of weird in itself. That or never "black person happened back home, back in Georgia. SA: Urn, how does your they just help AB: Urn .I guess .. they would, like, family support me to if I needed the money up with it. But thanks to scholarships your education now? stay focused, like, if I get distracted. But, I know or whatever, they would definitely help I'm fine. But, and dad would make sacrifices if needed, to make getting SA: Which experience, ... family members and in what much touched Yeah, SA: Or AB: um ... on have played a we were significant role in your know, going to my mom school and educational ways? your-if it's mostly coming aunts like, or some now, I don't some came, are of my dad's uncles had doctors. I don't dream, to a big role, because basically from having nothing, they'd be like, come from nothing to and to make 17 they, know, they just told us stories about, know, they just inspired me, inspired me the American sisters. uncles, cousins. uncles that like, how, they just or you've pretty my brother- my brothers and there's from your parents, then that. But, I guess, from brothers I guess, even Like, that I don't just anyone? SA: Yeah. Besides AB: sure yeah, education. our AB: Um urn, me come see how they, something dirt poor. And urn .. .I mean, that's of your life. And so I Abinadi Burns guess that been to was 26 November 2008 kind of a given more, give back, or so I felt you know. And I felt of a pressure to-not more to reach more, because SA: Urn, how many with them push for me, siblings ... more of a desire given. And, what kind of relationship did siblings that are half siblings. grew up with them. And then I have we my full-blooded siblings. Urn, forth from, like, staying with their moms with us. like, as we And so, we, and like, basically got older it they would, like, to uh, that I had you have growing up? them 'cause parents more, pressure, but just what I've been do you have? AB: We're six but I have three and a even was we grew up a really close to brother and sister that are, like, close, like they would switch back and and then ... coming over grew up with them. Even cool to have older And we're siblings relate to us, and just, I don't and we to our house and though they're could just go staying older. And, over there, know, make us-they're like second us. SA: What's the age difference? AB: Our oldest sibling Vanessa, she is she's ... thirty two. And then, Cecily is twenty eight...Cecily's twenty eight-twenty nine. Twenty nine. She's twenty nine. ... And then, my oldest brother-our oldest He died in SA: Oh a four wheeler accident. It wow. was like his senior year in being in shock, and just actually sunk in. SA: Is he the oldest of all of you? AB: No, he I was high in seventh grade. school. What do you remember of that? AB: I just remember just forever till it brother, he died when was the oldest of the boys. 18 thinking it wasn't real. And it took 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns these-your-or half brothers SA: Urn, AB: They're SA: Um AB: so ... from my dad. Yeah, my dad and was sisters, are And what's the age difference between you, are two years your dad's side­ previously married. Jared, and Crystal? Me, Jared, and Crystal, we're both-me and Jared Crystal they from year apart, then are a me and apart. SA: And how often would your brother-your half brothers and sisters come over? Was it like every week? AB: Yeah, they'd SA: Urn, what are some AB: I remember things Our you do. we had lot a lots of road weekly. of the things that you remember doing picnics Like, we'd family travels thing, like, come over so go on that or we'd have, like, vacations was trips, things always a as a family growing up? Easter egg hunts. All the traditional lot, like, every summer we'd go somewhere. fun to look forward to. So traveling was They wouldn't come come. big like that. SA: When you guys would go to Samoa would your half brothers and sisters go AB: a Just' cause I don't think they .. .1 don't think as well? they wanted to [laughs]. SA: What was your impression of Samoa when you first went? AB: Well the first time I went I wasn't very impressed because it was right hurricane. It was, like in the .1 don't know it was, .. like, dirty. after that Some hurricane just hit it andSA: How old were you when you first went? AB: I think I was six. Six ... or seven. And I was, there's like- 19 like, "This is your home?" Because Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 SA: That's my people [laughs]. AB: But every time I went after that it beautiful. I was SA: How did the Samoans accept you there? What They just AB: I don't know. stared at us know us, but it was would translate for SA: And AB: kind of hard 'cause some that are, like, our of them did. age, like-it's, "How SA: Um growing up treated were ... are They were really nice, .I mean, I mean, they were wanting to get to speak the language. But, our mom any of them? Like, older cousins did. But our you? What's your were you ... were do this and the you boys young ones, the our they really didn't speak much. They speak differently? Urn, meaning, supposed to didn't we .. their reaction? us. they don't speak English, Well, was all the time. especially our family members. They were really thought it was really beautiful. a little ones bit, but it's namey?" [Laughs]. the boys-were know, in you-were the responsibilities supposed to were boys and the in the home. The do this. Or were girls girls you treated differently by your parents? AB: I think so. Our mom made us db all the chore really do anything. They'd just, like, doing' all the cleaning, SA: So what would AB: That's a the dish Crystal take a work, and vengeance washing, yeah, on the our sisters, they didn't boys. So we ended up all that stuff. do? good question. [Both laugh]. AB: Not much. were, like, hard Like, I don't know, my mom on us. 20 and dad were so much nicer to her. They Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 SA: Is it because she's-the AB: I don't many SA: Um are ... AB: We spankings what taught to baby? because she's the or know, probably 'cause she's the baby. Well, especially for my mom. near as girl as we ask? Urn, cook. Was that the same know, good of a cook. But, I mean, I SA: But your oh, in the out my mom never, her, and she didn't get can Samoan culture I know that the or mom really-my brother's actually I don't lot nicer to in your home actually did-we'd always help don't a baby girl, got. going to I was yeah, they were And so, to them she's the a boys not? whenever she really good cook, cooking. was I but I'm not that whip up something. like, really emphasized, "You guys need to learn how to cook." AB: No, actually, actually listened. paid attention, how to make how to cook really didn't. I to like things, try and things. SA: So what why mybrother's she did. That's She'd like, she' d teach ... I don't know AB: I don't know. My mom's actually have days us why I'm like, you taught was were really good cook, I mean, I'd go in there and to learn. we a help her but where "I can't cook the role of women in the home? like the ... she is ... the glue. She kind oflike-everything helps maintain the house, and helps she really controls all the finances, about it, SA: So did your like, something connected to her. mom So like, I don't ... wanted really anything." or ever never how to cook certain meals. I do know through her, if you I she'd, like, teach us run's so 'cause he anything, you'd have to kind of wear the pants in the 21 go to my family? mom. know, or my mom she knows all 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns Mmrn, I'd AB: outspoken, but, like, SA: So say so. My dad-they're, like, opposites. Like my mom's kind oflike, and my dad's he's more, just really, like, he's just quiet. Well, like, meek, than my mom. He'll give up ifmy mom, like, growing up who were AB: Definitely my mom. SA: [Laughs]. AB: My dad's you more quiet, starts it. scared of? way too calm. spankings SA: So when you guys got AB: We'd get both. Our right when then I shouldn't say he's this and this and our mom would dad gets home she they were so was it from your spank us and then would, like, bad." And then mom or our tell our your dad? dad would spank us. him, "Honey, the kids are And doing' dad would talk to us, and then he'd spank us. SA: So you'd get it twice. AB: Twice. SA: Urn you ... so growing up struggled with kind AB: Yeah. then, like, didn't feel like you our of your and half Samoan, have identity? ... ... and Georgia, being half African American Yeah, that's been hard. Well, because and it didn't help that we in, like, all white and well, in Polynesian so that I don't were was even know, to harder because our ways, you know. And so, it just felt either side, even cousins would just, like, I don't fit in. 22 know, living taught to speak English like-it seemed like the Caucasian good enough for side. Sometimes we were were people-you just like my black side, or even like, make fun of us. Both you didn't really know where you Abinadi Burns SA: Where 26 November 2008 was it-did you feel the Yeah, just because AB: first time like, was know, I just always AB: Like like, I remember being in school and, like, teachers-the being singled was I still felt like I wasn't the Like, even like, was-I just felt where are out in way, some AB: "You're not like though they were trying to society, skills. But, hardly like like, or the ... them, you're like this. make it a a He's like smart. I'm not of a city boy, SA: You're ... or were saying that he's more, of a a I'm not tree hung I take it back. I say dorky they had social smart kids but I was with the white kids just' cause I, just kind of used hugger. tree and he's to that. And so like, yeah, my he's, like, completely different from what He's like really smart, but, like, country, city boy school I ... Like, whatever. high mostly they were mostly white just because there were probably bonded more he's kind oflike more I didn't feel it around, the white society, my niche were like-in white kid named Jack. And ... compliment You Samoan side? Where did you find your niche? dorky. They weren't dorky, of like, my friends knew their culture am. Polynesian, they were really studious. They were any black kids. I best friend is though they .. around-they were kind they, .I don't . I don't know .I just wanted to be like everyone else. Yeah, like my niche was more like because even speak. same. SA: What group of people would you feel most comfortable the black you from? You're not from way? they'd just separate me. Like, do this." community? "I've been here my whole life." Just because I felt like I meaning to, SA: Like in what can even with the white meeting the teachers they're like, "Wow, around here." I weren't ... same 23 hippie sort of. But he's he's just...we're different. I'm hugging type. more a country? I really more Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 AB: Yeah. SA: Do you guys still AB: Yeah, SA: Oh really? AB: He came SA: Has he AB: He's keep still we keep in contact? in contact. He actually comes up and visits every now and then. Have I met him? ... seen a show? seen our show like couple of our practices. on DVD. But he actually came But I don't know if that was out last year, or here, he came my first year to a ... SA: I think I remember. AB: I think it was our SA: Cool. Um AB: ... yeah. So tell AB: Our cousin because his dad Georgia. there any Samoans in Georgia, besides you me so in the guys? me on what's his- He ended up in And so, after he finished-well he finished his-whatever-his you? his mom, your They're Georgia, living in Atlanta. AB: He's related to so military. they just-after he SA: How is he related to SA: And about-how did he end up in Antoine, he's also half black, half Samoan. was And ended up just AB: actually came out here. My cousin Antoine. SA: Oh in were first year that he his mom's side. She's Samoan. mom are cousins or cousins. SA: So did you grow up with Antoine? 24 sisters? was Georgia last stationed military career, he Abinadi Burns AB: 26 November 2008 Urn, pretty-well, this is how it happened. Like, actually cousins until, like, ninth grade. we didn't know that that, basically we But after ... even we were though he lived in AtlantaSA: How far is Atlanta from AB: Atlanta's like two and like, we'd always hang so we became super out. was ? half hours. We'd like a see each other, like, Every time we'd do something he'd always on weekly­ come over, and tight. SA: So apart from him there AB: No. He ... the were no other Polynesians? only connection we had to, like-we just bonded. He's like a brother, just because we knew-e-we kind of understood how each other felt, like, kind of the same situation. SA: So, do you feel like your identity? AB: Yeah, like, I just, I you've reached mean just want to identify ourselves realize that, used to yourself, I mean .. .I don't your own .. the point .. with something. know, I just get-I skin, that you're And so, I niean, I'm fine with it now. SA: Did you feel like you treated SA: you've kind of gotten .I think everyone is .I don't not And I think were people are going to we me. Really? AB: Yeah. 25 as you grip I guess kids. And get older you just be like other you came people. out here to Utah? on we don't have to be like each other. differently when nicer to know, a guess you get used to it. You just get Everyone's different and I think it's beautiful that AB: Kind of. I feel like where 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns SA: Have you ever AB: No. I feel like black felt discriminated people are against here? nicer out here, to, like, brown people, dark or people, people. SA: What is your typical reaction-what is the typical reaction you get when you tell people that you're Samoan, black? AB: Out here? SA: Yeah. AB: my Yeah, mom Well, ok, 'cause in Georgia and then here. Is there they don't know what that is. Like, is from-"You a difference? I have to say The Rock, or I say know, like, Hawaiian, like, the hula," they're like, "Oh, ok. That's what that is." Out here they're like, "Ok. I was thinking you were Fijian, but cool." SA: Interesting. Urn, AB: I was involved so actually on my way to the gym Living Legends? [laughs] I really was. Well, I only got because, Randy Booth, who's the director of Young Ambassadors, and Randy Booth and Janelle work and how do you get involved with together close in hand. And so, I guess Randy knew that I had just got back from my mission that he told Janelle to call me. Or they actually both down and to check it out. And because, I don't don't know, I so know, like-well, was just kind I did. And I the mission of more .I guess, .. shy, in that sold it, 'cause, I talked to Janelle and 26 a me on lot because I a sense. actually got to dance with them. like, out guys on they asked me to really wasn't planning helped down I served in Brazil. And so, called me, and out there. But after the mission it just kind of helped went and I saw, and I they were Like, come doing it was I didn't really .. put myself break out of my shell. And And that was .I so actually the thing they told me what it was all about, I was I 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns like, "Eh, ok, cool. she Can I leave now?" In my head that's what I actually let me got out and, like, dance and just try to feeling just because I never really connected with that it just felt really good, even though was really saying yeah, wanted to do it. So I ended up SA: What I felt so happy. She was so was a was-I think I was, like, five-I was She asked always me was a special know, side of my culture. I don't and that's how I ended up at Living Legends. little And it's funny 'cause, like, I actually ... a little kid. I like, "Mom, was I'm going to she was her reaction when was so do that of what I said. Because I still remember me 'cause, like, Crystal made it? She like called me, she's happy. practicing. She practicing going?" And my sister call and like, "How's her was like, "Binny, how's it going?" was practicing yeah, she was a lot. So she'd ecstatic whenever she made it. SA: Cool. Um, so, how do you AB: I don't know it my black cousins. Um .I don't .. ... was identify yourself with kind of hard. They might as know, it's just-like, because I've been like I funny. SA: Cool. What yeah with the guys. I awkward. Like, I wanted to learn. I proud. when I get older." And then she reminded AB: Oh then, kid, like, I told her-' cause Lamanite Generation when told her that when I was it But your mom's reaction when you told her? My mom was that. That thinking. figure it out, know, and I just felt something, like, I just felt.i.I don't know don't AB: was exposed to whatever, their lingo or Like, I swear ... my well be black. Same now I feel more them more, and whatever. But so other Polynesian thing. cousins are just like I can't tell the difference. comfortable around I kind of know how like, growing up, 27 Polynesians? Polynesians they I was-I are and always felt Abinadi Burns uneasy 'cause I older, like, aren't as mean, so my 26 November 2008 always cousins, mean, and just like, when felt like I our AB: Both. Both think it's just being judged. relationship we were younger or were mean is respectful. more SA: Your Samoan cousins was to us. AB: I don't . so immature, and know, I think little kids just, like, mean to are us. like, we get along really well with them. I maturity. lingo, or lot a more comfortable around whatever. What quite understand but now you was ... what was Polynesians now that first kind of get them and you understand them? ... ... You kind of feellike .I don't They're just, like, expect, was we've all gotten know, it's just, like youjust kind of understand, like just how they were, like, brought up. they like to cousin But now, SA: Urn, you talked about how you feel where you didn't as lot better' cause we're not a And so, I don't our think, like, your black cousins? 'cause of age and because you kind of get their And I .. more tease and chill, laid back, and joke and play you just don't.i.I don't around know, like you kind a ... you just can tell a difference. of, like, know their jokes, know lot. So you just-you kind of know what to know, I just don't get tensed up 'cause I kind of know what's about to go down. SA: Like, did you used to get tense- AB: Yeah I'd get nervous' cause I didn't know how to react or, like. I don't know, Polynesians feel Like, 1'mjust-yeah, I don't like surprises, more relaxed. like, how to nervous. lot more react in But a tend to be situation, I'll fun-loving, they like to joke tense up. Or yeah, just being exposed to like, what should more comfortable. 28 like, so or lot. So you just any time I don't if I'm not used to Polynesians a I be know, something, I get just hanging out, I feel a Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 SA: And do you feel like AB: you've gotten more of that exposure here in Utah? Yeah, definitely. SA: Um ... ok. um, what's your .. religious background? Obviously LDS. AB: Uh-huh. SA: You served a mission in Brazil. AB: Uh-huh. SA: Um ... what was that like? AB: I loved it...And I Brazilians, was think, like the reason I could relate because loving, just very, ... they're you lot like like .I don't know, .. certain of my cousins. Like, like, a some outgoing, funny. SA: How so elders had much of my mom's a to the fun­ my mom, and hard time just kind of understanding But I thought it was just family, just like, you to learn the picked it up quick compared to I think, their or super easy 'cause spirits are really I loved it. long did it take months, I yeah, they just reminded me of, like, language? AB: Urn, I learned it...! kind of picked it up in five much, like, Polynesian people. They're like really know, kind of a feel for the people. they reminded me so was my other, quick. Well, compared to urn, MTC group. the other .I .. And, I picked it up probably speaking fluently. SA: Five months? Wow. AB: I think it's just 'cause I loved it. I loved the anytime I could practice I would practice. language. I was, like, I just liked it. I think that quicker. 29 so excited and so helped me pick it up Ahinadi Burns 26 November 2008 SA: Urn, based off of your experience in Brazil, problem of...baptizing, converting people to to be the see biggest the Mormon Church? Urn, what's the biggest problem? AB: SA: Or hindrance, obstacle. AB: It would to that probably be, like, is, like, really worldly. So you're exposed they're just exposed to so change for people Brazil. And so .. to them is I'd say that's States, it's even more a And so, I think that's I don't just like normal much. And so, to make such in the change. to just worldly. It's so, like .it's is, like, pornography, would think drastic 'cause Brazil type oflifestyle. I think it's just harder for you probably the biggest thing. we what do you know, like, things that stuff. And so, like, change isn't even-like, of a drastic ifit's change for people in probably the biggest thing. SA: Wow. Do you think that that's a problem amongst even members ofthe Church there in Brazil? AB: Urn, like what? SA: Like, AB: Yeah, overexposure toI think like-even with So, like .it's, .. so. Just because like-and it's become kind of normal like, movie ratings. Our, what's rated I don't know, I think it's on a five SA: ... was through my uncles. five of my dad's brothers are here, is like a PG movie there. different level there. SA: Urn, how did your dad join the Church? Was it AB: Urn, no, it R there, but He was members. They're not members? 30 through the second. your mom? Like, there's four-or a Abinadi Burns AB: 26 November 2008 They are members. uncle Thomas is the she one And so, it was my uncle that got my dad to start taught my uncle Albert Thomas, he was the first one. And my going And my mom was teaching, like, .. and them. SA: In Florida? AB: Yeah, in Florida. And they actually, yeah, they got him to so ... SA: What does your dad tell you about his conversion Did it take him AB: No. He like, what ... a his-like, he said that it didn't take him that things really mattered he in life. long, was after-he once he just realized, didn't have that desire anymore. And so, changed, like, pretty quick, just' cause he like-I don't like ... change, just naturally he felt it was right. like, And it just felt having the priesthood, he'd know, he just always, like- SA: When did the blacks receive the AB: It apprehensive? And, like, things, like things that he thought natural to- him. And so, even, like, with, like, the blacks not always, Was he writing her. long time? yeah, would be hard to story? start was priesthood? actually- SA: Was it seventy one? AB: Yeah it was like seventy just always positive about it. ... during, like, right He's AB: My dad, he didn't SA: How old AB: serve a My dad was was .. so ... yeah, like, "Things happen in the Lord's time, it's time," that's what he would always tell SA: Did your dad around his time. And not us. mission? serve a mission. he when he joined the Church? .I think he was in his late twenties when he joined the Church. 31 he was our 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns SA: Um ... what his was family's reaction to joining the They didn't like it. They're like AB: SA: To this a Baptist, most of them. day? AB: Most of them are, "It's all Church? yeah. So [Laughs] white church." SA: Is that kind of the image they were just really skeptical. It's a And they were, like, white church. of the Mormon Church in Georgia? Yeah, well- AB: SA: Or at least your experience. yeah. AB: I think so, That how they think. SA: Urn, how prominent AB: It was was or not my experience with, like, prominent was semi-prominent. Like, a people, lot of black the church in your everyone knew there was, city, like, town? the Mormon Church. And, like, all the other churches would have, like, sessions about why the aren't Christians. there Or, like, they would teach about Mormons. And SA: Were you ever AB: I don't think discriminated or not as AB: I don't think 'cause the I so, everyone knew against because religion? of your so .. SA: Was it hard for you know, Mormons the LDS church there. was criticized that's growing up prominent so. To me as ... to live your religion, because it was ... either it is here? well, kind of. majority isn't with you. It could go both ways, you But it could also go the same way, like-I don't think, like, minorities, when they feel like they're singled 32 know, just out they'll hold on Abinadi Burns 26 November 2008 closer to their culture. It's kind ofthe closely 'cause, SA: Urn AB: ... .. important is Very important. progression. helps It just hope Urn, is your attitude the serve as being kids, on super hard. missions? you see, um-I don't know, to have the same towards your on a it like kind of held mission's, like-I think it took me to a for my same AB: I wouldn't tell them to go would never saw it for you that your kids I mean, I think much. And that's what I'd SA: thing with, like, religion, you know .I don't know. So I how level in my same my the next testimony grew so experience. daughters? mission if they didn't want to go. If they want to I totally support them. SA: Did you keep a journal when you were on your mission? AB: Um-hmm. SA: Do you still have it? AB: I do. SA: Cool. Urn, mission looking back is .. as a I know that your goals final so. question ... they will change dreams? Do you AB: I don't think so. I wouldn't um, what as about your are your on or goals, dreams, aspirations whatever, but No. I don't think I will. I a as for the future? of now, what kind of are yourself1iving here in Utah? ... see myself...well, endodontist. And .I somewhere where it's kind of warm, weather, change anything. time goes see dental school. So I want to be warmer anything that you would've changed experience? AB: Urn .I don't think SA: So there .. want to .I see probably California, but not super hot. 33 I'm .. or maybe trying to get into myself1iving even Hawaii. I like 26 November 2008 Abinadi Burns SA: Did it snow AB: It snowed in see when I once and made one little I Georgia? But no, snow man. myself living in a warm, SA: Probably not Georgia? AB: Probably not Georgia, little kid. I was, was a tropical cause like, five. if gets really hot and it Being climate. an We gathered can get kind of cold. Urn, all the snow endodontist. it's hot and humid. SA: Hawaii is hot and humid. AB: Yeah. But at least it has a breeze. We don't have a breeze. SA: True. But it's hot and it's humid. AB: Well actually something. I don't a big family, I can handle the know, there's I say, at a humidity beach, as you long can as there's, like, cool off. But, and some then, breeze or I want to have least, six to eight kids. SA: Are you serious? AB: I want a lot of kids. I actually want to adopt kids. SA: Cool. AB: Yeah, and then, yeah, just raise my family, be happy. SA: Is it AB: important Yeah, and I but I know she same. that for you, urn, to perpetuate the Samoan culture? really want to it though. culture, because I think it's think is so to do a better job of...well, really wanted us to be exposed more to Like, actually do SA: Urn, ... a So yeah, our 'cause I know my mom culture, and I'd like to I'd love my kids to tried, do the be, like, raised around great culture. that's the end. Urn, is there anything important. 34 else that you would like to share you Abinadi Burns AB: No, I think 26 November 2008 something funny though-I remember my dad telling me about the first time, uh, him and his brothers did, like-got together and they had this meal, something. And this just shows how poor or they were. They had-none of them had shoes, like, only one of them had shoes until like high school. Anyways, they said the first meal they had, thought it was urn, they had napkins-my uncle Jimmy didn't know what it was, [laughs]. food He ate the napkin. That's how poor he they were. They were super poor. SA: Are you serious? AB: Yeah. SA: And he thought the napkins were AB: And he ate the of him. I SA: Oh napkin. They, like, laugh about it now, and they make so much fun thought that was funny though. wow. I've never heard that before. AB: I guess my dad's like my nothing. My mom, nothing food. their biggest inspiration just family's pretty well offin Samoa. But, and just had to work his way to where he is SA: That's interesting, nothing coming here and it's usually the opposite. and 'cause he growing from that. interview. END OF INTERVIEW 35 now. You really came like, from my dad had really So much respect for him. know, with Polynesians having Well thank you very much for your