Abstract
Racialized stereotyping and derogatory (self-)labelling of Pasifika young peoples in Australia as intellectually ungifted, unsophisticated and lazy impact greatly upon their sense of self-worth and belonging. This is supported by the overrepresentation of Pasifika in youth justice systems and high suicide rates among this demographic, despite Pasifika peoples forming less than a few percent of Australia's population. This research focuses mainly on South-east Queensland and builds upon an earlier study which demonstrated that Pasifika young peoples in the region foster a sense of belonging through the formation of dynamic, multicultural identities and spaces of belonging (Durham et al. 2022). Drawing from talanoa with 30 Pasifika youth participants (16-24 years) and a series of group activities and writing circles led by the authors, we examine the layered and complex conceptualisations and usage of two common social labels, 'FOB' ('Fresh of the Boat') and 'plastic'. We argue that while these social labels predominantly reinforce derogatory stereotypes and racial discourses, some Pasifika peoples have been able to find empowerment through 'owning' or reclaiming these labels and by capitalising on their cultural differences.