“not knowing that that was part of our culture and lifestyle at the time”

For many Pacific Islanders, history is tied to colonialism, militarism, and invisibility. This piece seeks to contrast the Chamorro experience to mainstream American academia. While the Chamorro community doesn’t strive for equality with mainstream American culture, there is a lasting connection between America and the Northern Mariana Islands. This connection has brought resilient Chamorro families to America, where Chamorro youth continue to struggle with access to higher education.