The governor of Guam, Felix P. Camacho, signed an executive order in February requiring all government agencies to refer to Guam as Guahan, the indigenous name used prior to American arrival in 1898. The governor also requested that the Guam/Guahan legislature to change the U.S. territory's law. For the change to become official, the U.S. Congress would also have to approve the name change of Guam to Guahan.
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Perhaps a pre-emptive strike by the Governor to ensure that the character and culture of the island does not become subsumed when the marine bases are relocated to Guam?
Or could it be a political move by the governor to unify Guam’s people behind him? Much like the Arizona immigrant law or a governor of a southern state attempting to institute prayer in schools.
Changing the island’s name from Guam to Guahan makes sense. It maybe a bit too late but it has to be done. In 1898, then Governor O’Leary changed our island’s name from Guahan to Guam. The Congress cemented that change via the Organic Act in 1950 which made the island an unincorporated Territory of the U.S. This change is pure and unadulterated murder of our Chamori identity and race. It is known around the world as ETHNIC CLEANSING and it is a CRIME.
If you think what the US did to Guam equates to ethnic cleansing, you are a credit to your stereotype.
HAH! These stupid government officials, I swear. What a waste of our tax money. Think of all the implications of changing the name. Making people call it Guahan (which many, MANY will not), changing the names on maps, stores, and all the other media articles, and so many more. It’s pure idiocy. Even some of the older Chamorro people think that this is a stupid idea on the Governor’s part. If the U.S. Congress agrees to this, then it will be one of the stupidest decisions ever made.
Are people going to say “Oh! I live on Guahan!”? How stupid does that sound? It sounds like a disease, to be perfectly honest. And to the person calling it “ethnic cleansing”, wow. How stupid can one be? Changing the name of an island, in your opinion, is “murder” of the Chamorro identity and race? How in the world can that be true?
My heritage originates from Guam. I am proud of not just what the Chamorro people have achieved before being liberated by the US, but more so after liberation. We are a proud people, but we shouldn’t segregate ourselves and regress. We are a part of the US. Thousands of Chamorros fought and died for Guam and the US as Americans… not just Chamorros. The US never enslaved us. They freed our island. Today, many of us prosper because of this freedom. Don’t victimize youself. Unite as the Americans we have become.
I CONCUR WITH TOM GUERRERO – VERY WELL STATED!!!
TOM GUERRERO SAYS IT ALL – VERY WELL PUT!!