THE CNMI is definitely “Little America” in the Pacific. But just as there is a famous Chinatown in many U.S. cities, there should also be a famous Chamorro village in the CNMI. Besides, how can you promote a “Chamorro Nation” and culture with not one authentic village to demonstrate, model and preserve the culture with. Oh, the SandCastle will do it for us—that is the attitude of our government it seems when it comes to Mr. Noel Quitugua’s proposed village.
I’m African American and I have concern and compassion for Mr. Quitugua. He should not feel alone because it seems to be a cultural trait not to be confrontational with the leaders, especially in public. But times are changing and hopefully Mr. Quitugua will be heard in chorus. If you are Chamorro, you have a cultural responsibility to support him and to help him by writing a letter or calling the people you voted for. Cultural responsibility is a principle every teacher in the commonwealth is required to address each day in their classes. I know what it feels like to lose your culture and Mr. Quitugua is right—even the Indians were given a reservation.
I hope this letter will help to wake some people up because this is a people’s government and the founders of our federal system built a system that is very heavily dependent on active citizenry to assure that the government is steering the right course. President Clinton was known as the “polls” president because he based so many of his decisions on public opinion—that is also one of the main reasons he is considered one of the better modern presidents. However, the politicians in the CNMI conveniently and continuously pretend not to hear public outcries on the real hardline and critical issues. None of the politicians want to admit publicly that my letters affected this past election, but I know better—I teach political science.
So Mr. Quitugua should just keep it up because he has a just and proper cause. I’m sure there are more people than you may think who are on your side. And don’t forget, all the politicians have to be reelected.
The American Dream is alive and well, even in the Northern Marianas. Does Mr. Quitugua have to become a senator or congressman for our leaders to get the message? He is certainly qualified. He can get elected on this issue alone if they continue to ignore him and he takes on the challenge. If you will check the recent history of the Chamorros on Guam you will find that an average man in the community—Angel Santos—rose up to become a senator just because of a land issue he fathered.
Times are changing in Little America and we are starting to see all kinds of activists. If the government chooses to ignore them it will end up just like on the mainland U.S. with strikes, protest and other kinds of civil disorder. It may not lead to these extremes on this issue but we are definitely on that road in certain areas. But what makes this issue so sad to me is that the land Mr. Quitugua is trying to develop will not cost the government (and the people) one penny. The people will do all the work if they are given a chance. Or will the Chamorro people really have to let SandCastle do it for them? I truly wish Mr. Quitugua and all the indigenous people much success with the preservation of their cultures.AMBROSE MILTON BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
