Poetry Unbound Meleika Gesa-Fatafehi — Say My Name
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Oct 26, 2020 Meleika Gesa-Fatafehi is a poet with a rich Black/Indigenous, Pasifika, and West Asian background, celebrated for her poignant storytelling. In this discussion, she delves into the significance of names, revealing how her identity is intertwined with cultural history and resilience. Meleika passionately emphasizes the importance of correctly pronouncing names, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight the dignity and ancestral ties attached to them. Her reflections inspire a deeper understanding of heritage and representation in poetry.
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The Power of a Name
- The poem "Say My Name" asserts the importance of pronouncing names correctly.
- Mispronunciations disregard the heritage, story, and power embedded within them.
Honoring Ancestors
- The poem's dedication acknowledges the poet's ancestors and their role in preserving her name.
- This highlights the connection between personal identity and ancestral heritage.
Linguistic Displacement
- The poem explores the poet's displacement and the loss of her native language.
- It reflects a sense of being internally displaced, even when physically present in one's own place.