INFORMATIVE VIDEO ON MICRONESIA!
Good thing to note as well, while Micronesia does refer to a number of islands in a certain region in the Pacific, Micronesians is usually the term given to those who are from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap make up the FSM.
The speakers (specifically Jojo and Dr. Palafox) do an excellent job at explaining the colonial history all starting with Magellan landing in Guam up until the end of WW2 with the United States essentially closing off all of Micronesia for their own purposes (prime example being the nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands.)
I’m currently beginning to really dive into the political aspect of Micronesian issues but, relating to this video, the two important things you need to be aware of is the Compact of Free Association and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Dr. Palafox explains the goals the U.S. had in mind with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. These independent countries have a diplomatic relationship with the U.S. and this video is referring to these countries and people in particular when it comes to the issues Micronesians face in Hawaii. (However these independent countries didn’t turn out to be so independent after all and there lies the big issue)
Guam and the CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) is a different story. The student (Leonard) asked well why aren’t they referred to the Mariana Islands? Why was it split to begin with? This is a topic that is deserving of its own post but skimming through the Partition of the Marianas will give you an idea. (Goes back to Spanish-American War and Germany wanting a piece of the Marianas and willing to pay for it)
I’m definitely getting ahead of myself! At this point I’ll let the video speak for itself lol. If I honestly had to sum up the issues that Micronesians face it boils down to colonialism and the U.S. completely screwing up everything. They succeeded to divide us and to turn us against each other.Knowing the history and devastating and infuriating past these islands have all been through at the hands of colonizers gives a better understanding of the different experiences we Micronesians go through. Palauans, Chuukese, Yapese, Pohnpeians, Kosraeans, Chamorros, Kiribatians, and Marshallese. We all have unique experiences and our people have gone through different struggles but there’s a sense of unity that is needed between us and I for one am all for it.
Beauty of Oceania 