Malo le soifua outou uma!
Here is our fourth and final speaker for “Brown Womxn Who Cycle”: the fabulous organiser, our director, Louise Tu’u.
Spaces are filling fast, as it’s only TOMORROW on Saturday 26th August 1.30-3pm, so if you’re a womxn of colour who’s keen to cycle, register here. Bring your bike if you like, meet and engage with fierce people, like Louise and break bread together too.
In her own words, Louise Tu’u shares what inspires her and why she cycles.
This is a picture of me and my mum, Lafitaga Tu’u, on her 79th birthday at her fale this June. I would say I ride because she used to ride, but actually, that’s a complete fiction. She actively hates that I ride a push bike. Being a mother, she rings me regularly to remind me not to ride and to think of others i.e. my brood. Being Samoan and a girl, I never went anywhere alone, so my late sister used to walk me to our closest park, Grey Lynn Park, with my bike throughout my childhood.
Cycling when single, coupled and with offspring affords me space to clear my head, process events in my life and of others I care for and a nugget that most womxn of colour will be warned against: freedom.
Since thinking of and bringing life to this event, my motto has been, “take up space”. Make room for you, in your own way, especially in a pursuit like cycling, so you get out what you need and are able to refuel for more adventures. I’m looking forward to meeting more of us soon and planning what WE need to ride.
Manuia le po ma feiloai tatou taeao/ Sleep well and see you all tomorrow!
We Should Practice 