The New Citizen of the CNMI

The more the CNMI strives to wrestle itself from its economic doldrums, the more apparent it becomes that unless it creates a skilled and educated workforce immediately, the less likely it is to survive in this rapidly changing technological world. The whole world is in our backyard.

All the talk about diversifying our industries to rebuild and stabilize our economy is merely idle chatter unless we meet the new challenges that the world of technology is throwing at us. We are no longer a sleepy Pacific tropical island with swaying palm trees and blue lagoon water. That has become a picture postcard scene.
We have seen the outside world and tasted its seductive fruits and have become addicted to them.

In previous articles I have harped on the theme of education for children coupled with the need for adult education. I have suggested reading basic books explaining our political structure and relationship with the United States. We must understand our ever-changing social framework and our role in it.

We are suffering a brain drain as many residents fail to return to the CNMI after graduating from college. Meanwhile, many of our experienced people have purchased homes in the US and, at best, commute to the CNMI occasionally. Intermarriages are also helping to deplete our indigenous population. Should the trend continue, the local born population will become decimated. The struggle to maintain our identity is becoming increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, we are in bondage to non-resident workers.

“What can I actually do to meet the challenges?” The answer is simple as it is puzzling: Each of us must formulate plans to strive towards goals we set. We must be willing to invest ourselves through education. We need to know and understand if we are to control and direct our destiny. With proper education, knowledge comes and changes into wisdom, which is the art and skill of proper decision making.

It is a known fact that most residents in the CNMI are neither big readers nor fond of studying. They will spend countless hours in idle chatter over beer with acquaintances or spend indefinite hours in front of the “boob tube”. But books and magazines remain a rarity.

How many books have you read in the past twelve months? How many different news and other magazines do you read monthly? When was the last time you tried to improve your work skills by studying? When was the last time you listened to serious music or looked intensely at good paintings? You may ask: “Why should I do that?” Or
“I don’t have the time.” If you have to ask “why”, you have a major problem. If you claim you don’t have time, you have lost control of your life.

Yes, I am fanatic about studying and reading, and I am ardently trying to motivate you to become the same. When I read a book, I am spending quality time with a person who has mastered something I want to know about. He is giving me his thoughts and experiences so that I can enlarge my view about what it is that I want to know.
Can you learn as much from idle chatter or in front of the television? Unlikely.

Someone once said: One learns more in one year spent with good books than he does by living ten years without them. All my railing and ranting about the value of a solid education may never convince you. However, the next time you fail to improve your salary or work position, think about the above comments and your quality of education.