Over seventy thousand hours. That is the time Governor Felix Camacho had to administrate one of the most important strategic places in the Pacific. Four years sum up to a little over 28 hundred days. That’s enough time to create a solid and lasting relationship with the local population – or maybe not.
Little did Felix Camacho know that at the end of his legislature the most prominent act, and most likely the only feature to be permanently recorded in the history of the island, was his project to change back the name from Guam to Guahan. Way to go gov.
But, let’s recapitulate. The overall population knows less of their native tongue than the minimal necessary to carry on a conversation; the educational system still is a wreck, only comparable to the ones reminiscent from WWII and stored deep down in its crystalline waters.
Changing the name from Guam to Guahan is probably a cry for help, an attempt to bring back part of the cultural heritage that makes Guam, or better, Guahan, such a unique place. Nevertheless history has also proved that a simple name change did not make Cassius Clay’s uppercut less lethal, and most likely won’t change anything for the island either.
Amongst debts, road constructions, and the impending military buildup, Guahan’s 6th Chief of State has confirmed that there is always something more important than the collective good, self acclamation.
Good thing the NGO “We are Guahan” was thinking ahead of the Governor.
