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Of National Conventions
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Posted on Feb 29 2000
The Issue: Territories sending delegates to Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer.
Our View: The Northern Mariana Islands isn’t a participant in this most important national exercise.
As Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam prepare to send delegates to the Republican National Convention this summer, the Northern Marianas isn’t a participant in a national event so vital in strengthening its relationship with national leaders.
Perhaps it is high time that we aggressively seek participation in the US Congress even if it means being at the bottom of the totem pole. We can’t continue a relationship where we remain the only US Citizens who are not represented in a body that basically decides the fate of all US Citizens.
Indeed, the issue would take a long and arduous journey before we could see the light of justice at the end of the tunnel. It takes sound articulation of our case with the right people who not only sympathize but also empathize with the rights of indigenous US Citizens to be represented in the US Congress.
The notion of being encouraged to assimilate into mainstream America would only have meaning for the people of the NMI if in fact we are accommodated with our aspiration for representation in the US Congress.
Such representation however limited given the peculiarities of the US Constitution is still far better in getting our often inaudible voices heard than being relegated to where we are today.
We too aspire to engage fully in participatory democracy by being allowed even a non-voting delegate in the US Congress which should open the doors for greater participation in national decision and policy-making. Yes, it is very difficult being granted our wish in this matter. But we will not give up in that long march to greater freedom found in every American Community throughout the country.
Our people have also sacrificed a lot from the loss of life and destruction of family properties during World War II. But we have picked-up the pieces and have marched on with pride for we know that the bells of freedom will ring “from sea to shining sea”. Open your hearts and make us a true member of the Greater American Community. Si Yuus Maase`!
