Questions Sent to me via Email
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My dad helped me answer some of these questions sent to me by email from a student at Berkeley University:
How do you feel about the fact that the US Department of Defense evacuated the native settlers of the island to set up a segregated base there?
It was a different atmoshere when that happened almost 60 years ago. I don't believe such an action would be acceptable today.
"Segregated" is an odd word to use. The missile range is a highly sensitive military installation requiring the highest level of security. Access to most military bases is restriced anyway.
Have you ever been to Ebeye?
Yes ... it is an eye-opening experience.
How do the American settlers in Kwajalein deal with the fact that living conditions on the nearby islands inhabited by Marshallese are so terrible (ie., 37 people living in a single dwelling with no flush
toilets?)
First of all, I'm not aware of any American "settlers" here. What do you mean? There are very, very few Americans living in the Marshall Islands, with the exception of the 2,500 contract employees on Kwajalein and Roi-Namur.
Although there is no doubt that the standard of living is extremely poor, certainly not all the residents live in such conditions. As with any place, there are some good areas.
A lot of Americans volunteer, doing what they can to help with the situation on Ebeye. Some help Marshallese families financially and with private employment.
The solution is not easy. Solving the problem will be incredibly complex. Dumping money into it is not the answer. A change in attitude and a better understanding of each other's cultures is absolutely necessary.
The US contributes about $100,000,000 a year now to the RMI economy, around $13,000,000 of which goes directly to landowners or Chiefs, for the use of islands in Kwajalein Atoll. Most of the $13,000,000 lines the pockets of the wealthier landowners.
How do Americans in United States deal with the fact that people living in Appalachia live in squalor - right there in the US?
It seems to me that the situation there is almost unique in the world as far as an example of old-time colonialism
It's important to understand that this country is a sovereign nation. Unfortunately, the Marshall Islands is still heavily dependent on the United States and many other countries for support. Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan also play important roles in development of this country. The US alone has contributed well over $1,000,000,000 to the RMI economy over the last 14 years.
The RMI government has had full authority to do with most of that money whatever they see fit. For 14 years it went unchecked by the US. A recent audit exposed massive abuse and millions of dollars unaccounted for. If the RMI were a colony, the US would probably have been in control of the funds.
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