The Fiji Deaf Association says it has forgiven the USP students involved in a viral video after a face-to-face traditional apology or matanigasau allowed members of the Deaf Community to better understand the apology and the emotion behind it.
The USP Students Association, led by the President of the iTaukei Students Association Viliame Takayawa, presented a traditional i-soro to members of the Deaf Community at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities Complex.
Two of the three students involved in the video were also present and personally apologised to members of the Deaf Community and other organisations that had gathered in solidarity.
Acting Fiji Deaf Association President Melita Delaibau says the face-to-face meeting was important because previous public apologies shared through social media and media reports were difficult for some Deaf people to fully understand without sign language interpretation.
Delaibau says meeting the students in person allowed members of the Deaf Community to understand the emotion behind the apology and that it was directed personally to them.
She says the community has now accepted the apology, forgiven the students and is ready to move forward.
Delaibau says the incident has also helped build a stronger relationship between USP students and the Deaf Community.
She says they now hope to see the students attend sign language classes and continue learning about Deaf culture and communication.
Delaibau is also urging people not to look down on deaf people or people with disabilities.
She says they have the same rights as everyone else, including the right to education and equal opportunities, and also have their own language and culture.
USPSA President Adi Talatoka Cama says the association is grateful that the Deaf Community accepted the traditional apology.
Cama says while the students did not intend to mock the Deaf Community, the association believed it was important to go beyond a public statement and apologise in person.
She says the process has been a learning experience for the students and the wider association.
Cama says they hope the incident will encourage people to learn from their mistakes, understand how their actions can affect others and focus on reconciliation.
She says the association is thankful that the Deaf Community received them with an open heart and has allowed both sides to move forward.
