Long Beach, California -People usually don't think about images that aren't seen. Omissions, therefore, have just as much relevance to a story than the other more blatant offenses. And the antithesis of omission: exaggeration.

All too often, the allure of being on "TV" automatically heroifies production companies visiting a small island. In this particular case, it's CBS/60 Minutes reporting from American Samoa on the apparent mystery behind the seemingly disproportionate number of Samoans in the NFL.

For some reason, Samoans here choose to let this silly, erroneous, ignorant report go unopposed. In fact, some Samoans have personally thanked 60 Minutes for giving "our people" any coverage at all.

Sorry, but not all coverage is good coverage. According to 60 Minutes, Samoans are successful in the NFL because we're "big people" with "a lot of heart." No credit to the strength of Samoan networking that gives our kids exposure. No credit to Samoan NFL greats who give our kids proof that the dream can become a reality. No credit to the Samoan value of being humble that instills "coach-ability" or the humility to know there's something to learn from those who came before you. Not one bit of credit to Samoans being smart enough to learn and master The System.

Instead, we're defined as savage warriors who found an outlet for all this rage in football -- serendipitous, 60 Minutes claims, because football is ALL that American Samoa has to save our people from the Recession.

“I was very disturbed by that 60 minutes report” said the Reverend Elder Dr. Liona Thompson, a prominent Samoan community leader in Southern California.

“O tu ma aga i fanua e pei o le i’a iviivia  translated, this Samoan proverb literally means, our culture in its various indigenous ways is complicated to dissect, even with cultural context and skill.  It’s very much like deboning a bony fish.  Samoa o le atunu’u mamala, talalasi.  Samoa is sacred in its own intricacies. We are an oral tradition and our stories are a reflection of that awe.”

This conversation with my friend ‘Amelia Niumeitolu and the Reverend Dr today, centered around community empowerment compelled the release of this additional commentary. 

I argue that the 60 Minutes report and the resulting silence from our Samoan and Pacific Islander community is the new form of hierarchy of the privileged.  The same ones who gave Samoa a treaty, split our islands to claim one as a strategic "territory," wiped us of indigenous pride, and corrupted the natural resources of our harbor, ocean, land and people.  And, coveting their cannons and cash, we acquiesced, as good little colonials should.

In the midst of the first tsunami in 200 years, in spite of scientists screaming foul against greenhouse gas emissions from industrial countries, the US fumbles on the one chance to redeem itself in Samoa with FEMA and wrapped that natural disaster management up so quickly with this 15 (actually 13) minutes of fame. Touchdown America!

I cannot fault the local Samoan media reporting on the different "sightings" of the crew.  I cannot fault,  the hypocrisy of American Samoa Governor, Togiola Tulafono, giving 60 Minutes the keys to the island to exploit for coverage.  Oops did I say that? I meant to say, explore.  But, I digress.

While our people on island and those of us abroad are hurting deeply and attempting to reclaim our lives post-tsunami, most Samoans in this great nation of ours are still in a deafening "time out," and numbed by the all the primetime  and football season hype.  I'm beginning to wonder if I missed the play. Are we running out the clock? Was that "Red 52" or "Blue 79"?

The point is, as Samoan Americans, we don't know that we don't know (yes that means ignorance) -- when we're being played.  So while you’re enjoying some football the next back to back Sundays, remember to watch for omissions and exaggerations by your favorite sports commentators.  I’m sure you’ll have plenty to say come Super Bowl Sunday.   

What makes our community stories different is that they belong to us.  They are not anyone's call but our own.  We have every right and obligation to scrutinize foul play and tell our own stories without western filtration.   Forget the wild card, all it takes to win, is ownership of what’s at stake( protecting our integrity) and full responsibility for what we gain to lose (our indigenous values).  That’s the matchup we need the insight of analysis and opinions on.

There's a yellow flag on this play by 60 Minutes, and we need to be on the field to review it.

Val LiHang Jacobo is a Samoan American business woman; and social justice advocate based in Los Angeles, California.  She is a contributing writer for this column/blog. Connect with her on Facebook.

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