We are a strong people. Our language, our heritage, our people are at war. We, the Chamorus, risk losing the greatest gift God has bestowed on us: our identity.
The Chamoru culture is a culture that was forced to embrace so many other cultures in our 200 years of colonial domination. What happened to our people? What happened to the pledge every Chamoru has given oath to?
“Inifresi Ginen I mas takelo gi hinasso-hu (From the very essence of my intellect); I mas tahkalom gi korason-hu, yan (The deepest within my heart); I mas figo na nina sina-hu. Hu (From every fiber of my physical strength); U fresen miasa yo (I make this self-fulfilling promise.”
What is the solution to be? We must come together as a people. We are the descendants of a culture that was not any less dignified then the people who occupied us. Let us revive the culture, the language, the heritage. We must come together as a people to learn all we can about our cultural heritage. We should use the knowledge of our monuncu to preserve our culture. We must teach the generations to come how to speak the language, respect the nature of Guam, and how to honor the people. “Gai onra.”
It should be decreed that Chamoru be a core subject of study in all stages of educational development. Why is it not as important as math or science? Is not knowing, the history of who you are and where you come from the greatest factor in determining where you are to go? I say this to the Chamoru people, take what is ours. Do not cower in fear for our small size and numbers. What we lack in numbers we make up for in our heart. The United States can take our lands, they can take our provincial infrastructures, and governments, but do not allow them to take our identity as a proud people, for only then will we have surrendered our culture.
Stand up for our ancestors, stand up for your familia, and stand up for yourselves. Show the world that this small island kept their identity and culture against the Spainards, the Japanese, and the Americans. We have avoided being conquered by three of the greatest countries in the world. Show our identity, show our respect, and show our culture.
“Para bai hu protehi yan hu difene (To protect and defend); Hinnege, I Kotura (The beliefs and the culture.”
STEVEN LUJAN
Mangilao, Guam
