Insights
6
We are regional people . But from which region ?
The definition of “ region ” in the Pacific has always been an issue that divides as much as it unifies . How we define a geographic region doesn ’ t always intersect with economic , political or cultural regions . Identification with a region like Asia-Pacific or Indo-Pacific seems to imply a given strategic orientation . Identifying as a part of Micronesia seems more like an identity issue rather than a simple geographical statement .
Where Guahan is located is often a troubling question many of us run into when we are visiting the United States . When asked to explain what Guahan is can also be equally troubling .
Many years ago , a contestant for Miss Guam in the Miss Universe competition was asked to describe Guam to an international audience . She replied , “ It is far from San Francisco and it is hot .” True enough , but not exactly the kind of geographical or regional positioning we desire .
In actual distance , the closest island to Guahan is Rota , which is 91 kilometers away . The closest island outside of the Marianas is Lamotrek , which is 682 kilometers away . San Francisco is 9,331 kilometers away . I doubt that the average Guahan resident knows much about Lamotrek or even in which direction it lies from Guahan . We do know that San Francisco seems much closer . It certainly is more accessible . We could get there is 12 flying hours . Sailing to our island neighbors takes a few days in hazardous conditions .
These Islands
By Robert A Underwood
The mass media ’ s use of the term “ region ” also lacks clarity . Reports of athletes winning regional awards could be stories about competition in Japan , Philippines or Hawaii . News stories about “ regional migrants ” are not referencing migration from the Philippines or Korea — they really mean Micronesian migrants . When we read about literature anthologies that feature regional writers , it is a good bet that this does not include China or Vietnam .
But there will be some who insist that the term “ Micronesian ” includes natives of the Marianas , who are , after all , in the geographic region of Micronesia . We must remain faithful to our indigenous identity in the Pacific in which CHamoru is a subset of Micronesian in the same way Yapese or Chuukese is .
But if we look deep enough , we find that Micronesia is a colonial term in which we are united only because we are “ micro .” We are tiny , just a collection of dots on a map arranged by continent .
There are some definitions of the region that now seem outdated . For example , the “ Pacific Rim ,” which is hardly used anymore except in economic conversations . It was also the basis for the formation of the Asia Pacific Economic Forum . Chile and Brunei are members , but nobody from the middle of the rim is in this exclusive group of 17 members .
I used to tell people that the Pacific Rim is like a donut . The Pacific islands are in the hole in that donut . If there is no hole , there is no donut . I don ’ t know whether being a dot or a hole is more comforting .
We can assert our geographic and regional identity . Guahan is on the doorstep of Asia . Some want to say we are actually in Asia . This too is economically defined in the aspirational phrase , “ Guam is America in Asia .” It simultaneously said two things that are open for discussion . Are we really America ? Are we really in Asia ? It was economically defined and I can appreciate that . Like APEC , it has nothing to do with culture or geographic proximity . It is about economic possibilities .
This leads us to the strategic definition of region . The United States organizes the world into combatant commands . In keeping with its superpower status , the world is organized around potential areas of conflicts and the organization of military power to deal with them . For decades , Guahan and the rest of the region ( no matter how you define it ) was part of Pacific Command in Honolulu of PACOM . There is an associated Department of Defense-sponsored think tank called the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies . It is currently led by retired Admiral Pete Gumataotao , a proud son of Guahan .
Starting in the Trump administration , the term “ Indo-Pacific ” was used while “ Asia Pacific ” was used to describe the area of responsibility for PACOM . In fact , it is now formally the “ Indo-Pacific Command ”. For us locally , we grew
up with the Commander Naval Forces Marianas or COMNAVMAR . This has been replaced with Joint Region Marianas . Either way , the Marianas is specifically referenced . I doubt that it is limited to us in its “ area of responsibility .”
When we examine the cultural meaning , economic aspirations and strategic implications of our region , we have a lot of work to do . We could add the biogeographic examination of the region .
Actually , scientists were using “ Indo-Pacific ” before the military strategists adopted the term . They divide the areas of the world in coherent areas for analysis . “ Indo-Pacific ” means something to marine biologists , which admirals and generals may not know much about .
We are from Guahan . It was originally defined by the culture of its original inhabitants and its connections to nearby islands . Certainly , this includes all of the Marianas and perhaps places as near as Lamotrek or Puluwat .
The latecomers in our history , such as Spain , Asian countries and the United States , have decided for centuries who we are and in what region we live .
If self-determination is to mean anything , it must start with affirming our original regional connections and roots .
Dr . Robert Underwood is the former president of the University of Guam and former member of the U . S . House of Representatives . Send feedback to anacletus2010 @ gmail . com .