Americans don’t like their religion heavily laced with politics and vice versa so I must tread carefully in what I say. More- over, my concern is the growth and full development of the Micronesian people for whom I work, not the flag that flies over their country. 

 

Full and integral human development of Micronesians. enrichment Material but not only that! Ensuring that they have a sense of pride in themselves, a heritage to cherish, and all the “spiritual” qualities needed for growth. This is our major concern as priests. 

 

The Word of God is a word of Salvation, a healing word.. Christ promises not simply a happy afterlife to those who will listen, but a “wholeness” in this life as well. Liberation, development however you choose to put it. 

 

Micronesia, like other Pacific groups, but to a greater degree than most, has been a battleground for the past century:

 

• Spaniards and Germans in their 1880s controversy with the Pope
• “Spoils to victors” after the Spanish-American War–Germany obtained the islands
• The Japanese, as result of secret agreement with British, swept down on islands in 1914 during WWI
• World War II battles and US occupation

 

But this is the sad fate of colonial nations the world over! One they would not have expected. They hoped that the battles would have ended, but they have not. And the battle of the dollar bill continues to be the bitterest one yet. 

 

In the early 60s, the US saw that self-determination was bound to come before very long and actively pursued a policy that would enable it to carry that day. The goal was to lure Micronesians into a permanent association with the U.S. Strategic location! 

 

• Peace Corps 
• Education and health programs 
• Lots of money 

 

But don’t be too hard on American policy of the 60s! 

 

1) Many Americans must have sincerely believed that what was in the best interests of the US was also good for Micronesians. It would leave them with a developed nation of sorts populated by happy and healthy people. Money for toothbrushes, protein that they couldn’t get from the sea, and Toyota pickups. 

2) Today many of us are shocked by Soviet aggression and Communism’s cold inhumanity to the masses that it pretends to champion. You have only to consider the recent horrors of Cambodia and the invasion of Afghanistan. Might not make right, but it unquestionably can forestall great injustice (providing, of course, one side is not as corrupt as the other). 

 

At any rate, the US policy of the 60s has been successful, according to the terms of those days. Micronesia has chosen to let Uncle Sam carry it through the 80s and into the 90s. Dollars are a great consideration here. Why walk when you can ride piggyback? 

 

Let it be said here that the “battle-lines” are not between Americans and Micronesians, as they may have been in the 60s. Today a very great number of Micronesians espouse big budgets, big development, big education, etc. for more than those who support practical measures designed to bring about self-reliance. To this observer at least, the greatest enemy of Micronesia is most Micronesians themselves. 

 

What’s wrong with plenty of money (big budgets, etc.)? 

 

1) Construction of future political choices to a permanent dependency. “Creation of a colony” in our day of indignation at colonialism. 

2) Leads to imposition of programs and structures that people cannot responsibly oversee. Loss of real control! A person is taught to walk before he learns to run. Corollary: financial irresponsibility. 

3) Rapid social change–faster perhaps than is good for people. Social problems delinquency, suicide, etc. don’t prove this point, but they certainly suggest it. “If you want to control change, turn off the money tap!”

4) Creation of a welfare state. Are people ultimately happy and fulfilled in a society that depends only minimally on their productive efforts? Can they take satisfaction in the legitimate pride that they have made their country what it is. Isn’t this pride what we Americans used to celebrate in our poetry and song? Or is that only an American value? 

 

We are on the threshold of Free Association with the US under a compact that has been almost completed after 10 years of negotiation. Ambassador Rosenblatt can speak of that compact far more knowledge- ably than I:

 

My hesitations are related to the dollar amounts for the reasons I have given. I would like to see Micronesians learn to walk, develop mentally speaking, but I wonder whether they shall under present terms of FA. 

 

What can you do? 

 

Micronesians have become skillful advocates of their own causes these days and they must speak for themselves. Yet you are an interested and influential group, and there must be something you can do. 

 

The days in which we coddled Micronesia should have come to an end! You don’t teach young people to walk by cradling them in your arms. 

 

Have done with whatever guilt complexes you may have and take a tough line:

 

• Don’t waste taxpayers’ money in Micronesia or anywhere else. No freebies! Strict fiscal accountability should be for the good of Micronesians as well as to be demanded by your pocketbooks. 
• Don’t be too ready to buy the “poor boy” line. Again for the sake of our people! 
• Don’t make the foolish mistake of attempting to give Micronesians what you have in life style, housing, employment at least not overnight. (I say this against strong instincts in the opposite direction). You’ll be doing them no favors. 
• Don’t give anything away. If the people want something–a bigger budget–make them pay for it with the loss of some political control. Force them to make hard choices. They’ll be able to do it, when driven to it. 

 

Do I seem hard on Micronesians? I am, as I have been with my students for 15 years now. I can be because I’ve seen them grow not despite but because of “hardships.” If I regarded them as imbeciles or infants, I would not have the nerve to make these suggestions. 

 

Francis X. Hezel, SJ

New York, March 1980