Francesca Christine Camacho was born in Tamuning, Guam in 1997 and is currently attending the University of California, Irvine. She graduated high-school from the Academy of Our Lady of Guam and then moved to California in 2015 to pursue higher-education in the field of law. Her parents, Frank Gerard Camacho and Edeine Laguana Camacho, are both of Chamorro descent, which is the Indigenous people of the island of Guam. In this interview, Francesca discusses some social and cultural issues and discrepancies that she has experienced from both living on Guam and in the continental United States. Some of the topics Francesca discusses is the lumping of Pacific Islanders and Asians into one general ethnic category (i.e. Asian/Pacific Islander), the negative connotation surrounding a Micronesian identity, the impact of militarization and colonization on Guam, and more. As a millennial Chamorro raised on Guam and now living in California, Francesca provides a holistic and contemporary perspective on issues encompassing Guam and Chamorro people. Although limited, many of the scholarly pieces or oral accounts that involve the Chamorro community usually only focuses on the standpoint of the manam’ko, or elders. Francesca’s voice is one of the few that broadens the scope of Chamorro presence in Academia from just manam’ko to the younger generations as well.
Transcript Link: Race and Oral History Project Transcription
Britney Munoz Arriaza
June 1, 2023 — 10:10 am
I really enjoyed learning from this interview. It was nice to hear how organically the conversation flowed. I honestly learned more about Guam and Chamorro culture, it made me reflective on my land and upbringing as well. Very appreciative of this interview.