 Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: Talking Aint Doing |
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Ethnic diversity on Guam (Part 2)
For this week's Talking Ain't Doing column I want to continue my discussion on ethnic diversity and the need to improve tolerance of others. I will also discuss the need to demand equitable reimbursements for costs associated with the Compact of Free Association from the U.S. government. Ethnic strife serves no good purpose for anyone and most especially impacts young children; as they live what they learn. As parents, we must serve as positive role models to ensure that our children are protected from racial discrimination by practicing ethnic tolerance ourselves. I worry about the real potential for escalation of violence and fear that young citizens can be emotionally poisoned by bigoted parents and elders if we choose to do nothing.
I remember the Filipino labor workers who were housed at Camp Roxas right after WWII. I recall some of the hostilities between Chamorros and Filipinos during that period and the strong anti-Filipino sentiment which took decades to dissipate. The Filipino community successfully integrated and became a part of our community because they embraced education and community involvement. As the Filipino community became part of the establishment, we seem to have shifted our focus against the newer immigrants from Micronesia, Korea, Vietnam, and other recent arrivals. There was the occasional prejudice and violence against the Haoles and military personnel which still flares up from time to time. Currently however, the Chuukese community feels the brunt of our narrow-mindedness.
So what sets it off? Is it their different physical appearances or languages or customs or values that we reject? Or is it our lack of familiarity and understanding? Is there a legitimate reason for rejection? Is it the higher incidence of unemployment, impact on our schools, health care, crime, or an unwillingness to assimilate? Today, we seem to reject the Chuukese more than any other group. Is it because of higher social, educational, public safety and related costs from the Compact of Free Association between America and the islands of Palau, FSM, and Marshalls? Do we resent the extra strain on our economy or that there will not be enough for us? I suspect that it is a combination of all of these factors.
So what should we do as a government and as a people? Clearly, the USA must ensure that the economic costs are covered with adequate Compact Impact reimbursements. While our annual costs exceed $38 Million, we are reimbursed less than $15 million or about 39 percent. We have no way to make up the growing difference and simple math will tell us that these costs are adding to the overall financial instability of our government. While I believe that the Pacific Basin is important for our national security and that the historical relationship between the Pacific islands and the United States must be preserved, the economic costs are real.
Let's not forget our history and link with Spain, the Philippines, America, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan, and Micronesia. Economically, culturally, and religiously, the Chamorros have a long history of tolerance and acceptance. While I wonder at times if we have forgotten our heritage, I suspect that we are more worried about what Guam will become and how we will pay for the costs associated with massive migration. Solutions to our growing problem of intolerance will require a strong effort by stakeholders and leaders within the Chamorro and Chuukese communities. We must remember that we have more in common than we have differences. There is hope we just have to work at it.
Reducing the economic strain will help ease the resentments. With Congresswoman Bordallo's help we must initiate a serious dialogue with the powers that be to demand adequate Compact Impact reimbursement. We do not have the resources to continue to pay more than our fair share of the costs for an agreement to which we had no input. Let us not be afraid to openly discuss these very sensitive issues in the hopes that we can resolve them because after all, Talking Ain't Doing.
By Frank Ishizaki
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