Anti-American

I am a resident of Saipan. I don’t know if you should call me a resident alien, a guest worker, or some other reference name to describe why I am here. I very simply am an American. I was born in the continental U.S., and I am white, Caucasian or whatever name the respective ethnicity’s here want to call me.

I came here because as a child I became fascinated with Micronesian people and their culture. I don’t know why, but I always wanted to experience it. In addition, my family is military, and one of my uncles fought here during what he called the “great war.” So when the opportunity came to live here, I was excited. I have been
here just over a year now, and although I am not a person inclined to public opinion, I feel compelled to say something about what I have found.

I have found the warm friendly people that I read about in stories of Micronesia, I have discovered the wonderfully rich culture of the Pacific. I have met people who have restored my faith in man through selfless acts of kindness and generosity. But I have also been confounded and angered by the incessant complaining, criticizing, and belittling of my people.

I am from a place that openly accepts all people to a way of life that is theirs to choose. I am sure anyone with a current concept of modern political thought could make valid arguments to the contrary, but my point is not to debate right and wrong.

I want to make a specific reference so that my point is clear to anyone who reads this. Generalization seems to be the norm here. Mr. Charles Reyes Jr. recently published an opinion in your paper In it he used a topic: “The Filipino Connection,” to very poorly cover his anti-American views. In some cases, much like their
American counterparts, they are even aware of rights they do not actually posses, “particularly since no one in his right mind would ever bother uttering, “the American is worth dying for.” I am not an evangelist for the American. People are entitled to their opinions, and this is definitely an opinion. I wanted to use this article to make a point of my own.

I am proud of my heritage, just as Mr. Reyes is proud of his. I know for a fact that the American is worth dying for, and millions of Americans of all racial backgrounds would agree with me.

Disgusted American