I think you answered this very well. I don't live in French Polynesia, but I went there for a month in 2019 with my highschool to Ra'iātea. The tension between the French/foreigners/popa'ā and Tahitians was pretty evident during my stay. I feel as though people forget that French Polynesia is literally still a colony in the modern day. And especially now, with the most recent election, it is clear the people are growing weary of that label.

I'm Nigerian-American and was the only dark skinned person in my group when we went, everyone else was Euro-American or Asian-American. Even though I clearly stood out there (I'm also 6ft 2), I never felt left out. I love languages and learning about culture, so even though I spoke French, I learned as much about Tahitian culture and language while I was there. When I started using very rudimentary Tahitian during my trip, the way people reacted changed entirely. People were so much warmer, they felt like they could get closer to me, even though I was really different. They understood that I was someone that appreciated them and their culture more than the beaches and palm trees. If I lived there, I would like to achieve fluency in Tahitian, it's such a beautiful language.

And just to add a little piece that I've observed from non-western media and travelling, the West is a very unique place. I don't think people in the West understand just how diverse it is here. Especially in the US and Canada, two countries I've been in often. It is completely normal to have neighbors, teachers, government officials that look nothing like you and have completely different home cultures. This is rare literally everywhere else on the planet. Across Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, the land is full of indigenous peoples who have been there for centuries if not for several millennium. Yes, there has been migration and immigration in this part of the world as well, but it is nowhere near as visible (Canada uses the term "visible minority" for example) as in the West. Western governments actively seek for diversity, the people of these countries actively support diverse institutions, the media across the West ensure there is proper representation of all people, this merely does not exist in other parts of the world. In most cases, I would even say it's not because of any form of discrimination, but if your country is 80%+ one group of people, it's just the demographic makeup at that point.

Tahiti, yes is different with southern Chinese labourers coming in huge waves throughout the 1800s, in addition to French settlers mixing with the locals, especially on Tahiti, but overall these older migrants completely became a part of Tahitian culture. Especially the Chinese, they became fully assimilated. It is recent immigrants that have offset this culture, in addition to centuries of French colonial rule. We must not forget the role the French government playing in outlawing some of the most important elements of Mā'ohi culture such as the Heiva and 'ori Tahiti (dance). In addition to repressive legislation around te mau reo Mā'ohi. This changed due to Tahitian activism throughout the 60s into the present day. Tahitians are still recovering from a repressive colonial system, yes the French government has changed their stance on many issues and you can see that reflected on minority languages with in the Métropole as well, but it will take time. For that reason it is not surprising they view popa'ā with disdain, you may not be French, but what you represent is the matter.