The Quest for Rights Against Colonialism

The enduring presence of colonialism in the relationship between the United States and its territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, stems from a historical tapestry of military conquests, treaties, and acquisitions. These territories, each with distinct cultural identities and political bonds with the U.S., are classified as unincorporated, limiting the application of the full U.S. Constitution and resulting in restricted federal representation and voting rights. Such constraints have prompted debates about self-determination and have led to perceptions of modern colonialism. The question arises: why does America still have colonialism?

?The United Nations defines colonialism as the control and exploitation of foreign territories and peoples, typically involving the imposition of the colonizer's culture and systems. The UN's decolonization efforts, mainly through Resolution 1514 (XV) of the General Assembly, emphasize the right to self-determination and advocate the end of colonialism, which it views as an obstacle to human rights and global peace.

?Since the Organic Act of Guam's enactment in 1950, figures like Antonio Won Pat and activists like Lisa Linda Natividad and Julian Aguon have fought for Guam's rights. Guam's political status has been a subject of international scrutiny, with some residents advocating for statehood, independence, or free association, reflecting the complexities of decolonization in a modern context. Despite contributions to the U.S., especially in military service, and its strategic importance, Guam remains in a political limbo, highlighting the ongoing challenge of reconciling its historical legacy with the aspirations for self-governance and full democratic participation.

To this day, Guam is still ruled by colonialism.

?The persistence of what can be termed as "colonialism" in America's relationship with its territories is a complex issue deeply rooted in historical, legal, and geopolitical factors. The territories, such as Guam, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, became part of the United States through various means, such as military conquest, treaties, and purchases, often due to war or strategic considerations. Over time, these territories have developed unique cultural identities and political relationships with the United States.

?Legally, territories are classified as unincorporated, meaning the full Constitution does not automatically apply to them as it does to the states. The U.S. Congress exercises power over these territories, but the residents often have limited federal representation and, in most cases, cannot vote in presidential elections, leading to debates about self-determination and representation. This status has characterized the territories' relationship with the mainland as modern colonialism.

?According to the United Nations, Colonialism, in the context of UN discourse, is generally understood as the practice whereby a nation exerts control and dominion over foreign territories and peoples, often resulting in the subjugation and exploitation of those territories and peoples. This control can manifest in the settlement of these territories, extraction of resources, and imposition of the colonizing nation's culture, political structure, and economic systems.

?The UN's approach to addressing colonialism has been through its decolonization efforts, which were galvanized by the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in 1960 as Resolution 1514 (XV). This seminal document highlights the right to self-determination, condemning subjugation and domination as anathema to human rights. It calls for immediate steps to transfer all powers to the peoples of these territories, without any conditions or reservations, under their freely expressed will and desire. The declaration effectively labels colonialism as an impediment to the promotion of world peace and cooperation and a violation of the fundamental rights of human beings.

?Through its Special Committee on Decolonization, the UN actively works on eradicating colonialism, with the committee overseeing the implementation of the Declaration in Non-Self-Governing Territories. Therefore, the UN's definition of colonialism can be inferred from these activities as the control of one state over another, which denies the latter the right of self-determination and the ability to manage its own future independently. The UN's stance on colonialism is expressed through its decolonization agenda, which started in earnest with adopting the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples in 1960, known as Resolution 1514 (XV). This declaration affirmed the right of all people to self-determination and proclaimed that colonialism should be brought to a speedy and unconditional end.

?Since the Organic Act of Guam was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on August 1, 1950, numerous individuals have championed the cause for extending more rights and freedoms to Guam. Notably, politicians such as Antonio Won Pat, the first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Guam, advocated for the interests of Guam in Congress. His successors, including Vicente "Ben" Blaz and Madeleine Z. Bordallo, continued this advocacy, seeking to amplify Guam's voice in legislative matters. Michael San Nicolas, as Guam's delegate to the U.S. House, has also been active in this ongoing effort in recent years. Local leaders have played pivotal roles as well. Governors like Carlos Camacho, who was the first elected governor of Guam, and later governors, including Eddie Baza Calvo, have worked toward improving the political status of Guam. They've engaged in dialogue with federal officials to address self-determination and political representation issues.

?Activists and scholars such as Lisa Linda Natividad, a prominent advocate for decolonization, and Julian Aguon, a human rights lawyer and author, have been instrumental in bringing international attention to Guam's political status. They have made compelling cases at forums such as the United Nations, highlighting the importance of self-determination for the people of Guam. Organizations like the Guam Commission on Decolonization have been established to educate and advocate for a change in status. Political movements and groups on the island also contribute to the discussion, each pushing for different outcomes, such as statehood, independence, or free association.

?Guam is considered a colony or a non-self-governing territory because it is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States, which means it is under the sovereignty of the U.S. but does not have the same full rights as U.S. states. Guam's status as a U.S. territory began after the Spanish-American War in 1898 when Spain ceded Guam to the U.S. Despite its citizens being U.S. citizens by birth, Guam does not have voting representation in Congress, and its residents cannot vote in presidential elections.

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Historically, Guam has been a strategically significant location in the Pacific, which has made it an attractive possession for various colonial powers. The indigenous Chamorro people first settled on the island about 3,500 years ago. European colonization began when Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer sailing for the King of Spain, arrived in 1521. Spain controlled Guam until the Spanish-American War in 1898, after which Spain ceded Guam to the United States. During World War II, Japan occupied Guam for three years before the U.S. recaptured it. After the war, Guam's strategic importance grew as it became a significant outpost for U.S. military operations in the Pacific. Despite this importance, Guam was established as an unincorporated territory of the U.S. This classification means that while Guam is subject to U.S. sovereignty and its residents are U.S. citizens, the territory does not enjoy all the constitutional rights that come with statehood. For example, while residents of Guam can vote in presidential primaries, they cannot vote in general presidential elections, and they do not have voting representation in the U.S. Congress.

?Guam, an island of immense strategic value to the United States, hosts key military installations, including Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam. Its location enables rapid U.S. military response throughout the Indo-Pacific region, a capability that is critical to maintaining the balance of power amid rising regional tensions. As China continues to assert its presence, particularly in the South China Sea, Guam's role as a staging ground for power projection has become ever more crucial. China has been rapidly modernizing its military forces, expanding its navy, and developing long-range missiles that can reach territories like Guam. This military buildup is part of China's broader strategy to assert its dominance in the region and challenge the long-standing influence of the United States. However, the psychological impact on the residents of Guam, who face the prospect of their home becoming a target in a conflict between superpowers, cannot be overstated.

?The complex history of Guam, from its ancient Chamorro roots to its current status, reflects its long-standing position as a strategically valuable but politically limited territory. Its residents continue to navigate the challenges of cultural and historical change while advocating for more excellent political representation and self-governance. The political status of Guam is further complicated by its designation as an organized territory with a local civilian government established in 1950. The Organic Act of Guam provided for establishing a civilian government and granted U.S. citizenship to the people of Guam. However, it did not confer full political rights or statehood, which has led to claims of colonialism. The U.N. has listed Guam as a Non-Self-Governing Territory, a designation applied to territories without full self-government.

?The residents of Guam have expressed diverse opinions regarding their political status, with some advocating for statehood, others for independence, and still others for a free association similar to that of other Pacific nations. However, the lack of progress toward any of these outcomes perpetuates the view that Guam remains under a form of modern colonialism, lacking full self-determination and representation despite the citizenship and loyalty of its residents, many of whom serve in the U.S. military.

?Guam's political status is emblematic of the complex legacy of colonialism in the modern era. As an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States, Guam exists in a state of political limbo, where its citizens—despite being full U.S. citizens by birth—face significant limitations on their democratic rights. Without voting representation in Congress and the inability to vote in presidential elections, the people of Guam are denied the inevitable fundamental political participation afforded to citizens in the 50 states. This reality persists despite Guam's significant contributions to the United States, mainly through military service, and its strategic geopolitical importance in the Pacific region.

?The island's history, stretching back 3,500 years to the original Chamorro settlers and through European colonization and strategic military relevance, has shaped its current predicament. Guam's residents live with the consequences of historical decisions made during the Spanish-American War and subsequent conflicts, including World War II. The Organic Act of 1950, while establishing a civilian government and granting U.S. citizenship, fell short of providing a path to full self-governance or statehood, reinforcing perceptions of colonialism. The United Nations classification of Guam as a Non-Self-Governing Territory underscores the international recognition of its incomplete self-determination.

?The debate over Guam's future—whether it should seek statehood, independence, or free association—reflects the diverse aspirations of its people and the universal desire for self-governance. As such, Guam stands as a poignant case of a territory caught between its historical legacy and the quest for a political identity that fully respects the rights and wishes of its inhabitants. The enduring question for Guam is not just about its status but about how it can reconcile its rich history and cultural identity with the democratic ideals it has yet to fully realize.

The fight for Guam's rights and freedoms is a collective effort that spans decades and encompasses the work of many individuals who have strived to ensure that the voices of Guam's residents are heard on the national and international stages.

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