By Ben Pangelinan
For Variety

I WAS sitting in the outside kitchen of my dad’s house conversing with my sister and passing the time. If you live on Guam for any length of time, you know that this is the happening place in a Chamorro family, the outside kitchen. It is where plans are discussed, decisions are made, for us debate, and discourse on the state of families, our island and country. In other words, it is where politics happens.
The day’s discussion was on the swearing in of the new speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. My sister asked me if she was correct in thinking that this was the first time that a woman was elected as speaker of the House. I, of course, remarked yes—Nancy Pelosi was making history as the first woman to become speaker of the House—thinking she was going to say hooray for the sisterhood. Instead of expressing gratitude that a woman has ascended to such an esteemed position of leadership in our country, she emphatically asked, what’s wrong with our country, why did it take so long? What is wrong with our country?
It has been a long time coming, which is indicative of what is sometimes wrong with our country, but finally electing Nancy Pelosi as the first woman speaker in the history of our country is what is right about our country. As articulated by her colleagues in casting their votes for Speaker Pelosi, our country is finally catching up with Guam and the rest of the world in putting women in positions of leadership.
“On this historic day when the eyes of the nation are upon us and on our history, I am very proud to cast my vote for the young lady from California, Nancy Pelosi,” said John Lewis, D-Ga.
“For the empowerment of all women in the world, and individually because you really deserve it, Nancy Pelosi,” said Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.
“Today we make history for a new America. Enthusiastically for Nancy Pelosi,” said Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Tx.
While I like to think that the nation is just getting in sync with Guam and the rest of the world on women leadership, Guam remains out of step in celebrating and observing the hard won victory for freedom, equality and equity of the late Dr. Martin Luther King.
What is wrong with Guam? We, who share the inequities of the heavy hand of the entrenched power structure without debate or even discomfort turn our backs when it comes to honoring Dr. King. His battle for freedom from domination and oppression is our battle. His battle for justice and dignity for all people, regardless of the color of his skin, is our battle. At a time when we should be keeping the dream alive, we vote to kill not only his memory but ours as well.
It’s about time we reverse the course and reinstate the celebration of Martin Luther King as an official act of our government. Let us get in step with the rest of our country and keep our dream as a people alive. Justice for all!
(Ben Pangelinan is a senator in the 29th Guam Legislature and a former speaker now serving in his seventh term in the Guam Legislature.He can be reached at: senben@guam.net or ctzenben@ite.net.)