On behalf of the NMI’s indigenous Chamorros

I, Roselle D. Calvo, am both of Guam descent and NMI (Chamorro/Carolinian) descent. As a daughter of the NMI, I am deeply offended by the letter to the editor of Mr. Matt Phillips of Mangilao, Guam, dated Jan. 20, 2006 in the Marianas Variety. In his letter entitled “Time to dump the NMI and set them free,” Mr. Phillips accused NMI Chamorros of being arrogant people who “think they are ‘better‚ than the rest of mankind’ and who ‘don’t want to do the right thing when it comes to humanitarian matters such as the safe haven proposal for rescued Vietnamese minors.’”

First of all, Mr. Phillips, Chamorros from the NMI are exemplary models of island hospitality at its finest. Case-in-point: When the people of Yap experienced a tragic flood, the NMI quickly pulled together and donated multiple planeloads of relief supplies to aid the people of Yap without any hesitation. Furthermore, we NMI Chamorros opened up our hearts and home to hundreds of stateless individuals and granted them the same status we are afforded.

Moreover, we allowed Guam to advertise itself as part of the NMI chain in the “Bisita Marianas” tourism campaign. Guam is, in fact, amongst the Pacific islands, but it is not a part of the Marianas. However, the Chamorros of the NMI put that aside and joined hands with the people of Guam, whom we view as our local brothers and sisters. So, now, how can you say that we act superior to Chamorros from Guam and that we look down on foreigners when history has shown us to be generous to both groups?

Furthermore, we wholeheartedly enjoy catering to humanitarian causes, so long as they do not endanger our people and our islands. In the humanitarian efforts aforementioned, there was no threat posed to the safety of our communities and our livelihoods. However, in the case of the safe haven proposal, we discovered research indicating that at least 40 percent of these former sex slaves carried AIDS. Allowing them to enter our islands would have endangered our livelihoods, our health, and our safety, which we refuse to forfeit under any circumstances.

Nonetheless, Mr. Phillips, I completely agree with your statement that reintegration between Guam and the NMI “is just not going to work.” However, it is not because of “the current political climate” or “the track record of the NMI on human rights abuses with the assistance of politicians.” It is because, though we (the NMI and Guam) both think of ourselves as Chamorros, one of us has lost our roots. Guam has become too Americanized and too industrialized. It has lost touch with its true culture, and its hold on the Chamorro language is quickly slipping away. On the other hand, the NMI gladly remains under-industrialized and overwhelmingly localized. Throughout our union with the United States, we have retained control over our islands even though we are the minority group on our islands. Contrary to what you may say, we are proud of our immigration system because, although you may think that we have “loser immigration policies,” we Chamorros from the NMI have direct authority to change those policies whenever we please.

Last but not least, Mr. Phillips, I urge you to think twice before you start suggesting radical ideas such as “it is time for the U.S. to dump the NMI and set them free.” The NMI has immense historical importance and strategic value to the United States. Thus, it would not be wise at all for the U.S. to just dump the NMI. The only thing that should be dumped is this garbage that you are saying about the people of the NMI.

Roselle D. Calvo
Saipan, NMI