“i would like to hear your thoughts about the tribune’s headline yesterday where cohen mentioned the possibility of granting permanent residence here in the commonweath to approx 8K non-resident workers. you testified in congress last month that you did not see anything wrong with this move and i wonder if you still have the same view today.” — Nicky/John Jr. “all i ask of you is to PLEASE side with us.protect our future.DON’T GIVE PERMANENT RESIDENCY TO ALL NON-RESIDENT PEOPLE! this ideas spells D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R!!!! and this is your statement to the US CONGRESS.that is another issue i have with you, by the way.i like you, BUT YOU ARE SCARING ME.” — Nicky/John Jr.
“Tina, how can you put those animals above your own people?” — Anonymous caller, after the federal hearing in August
Nicky/John Jr. and others on and off this forum have asked me to explain my position supporting the efforts of nonresidents to improve their status in the CNMI. Some have warned me that I will lose votes if I maintain this position. I can accept that. People should know where their candidates honestly stand on the issues, and then make their own informed decisions. I respect any citizen’s decision to vote or not vote for me based on a position that I have taken as a matter of conscience. My position supporting the efforts of nonresidents to improve their status in these islands is just that: a matter of conscience.
The fears that have been expressed by others in our community with respect to improving the status of long-term nonresidents have always struck me as illogical and misguided, not to mention racist. If we were to be very honest with ourselves, we would acknowledge that racism is alive and well in the Commonwealth, and it has thrived under our exploitative immigration and labor system. I am still haunted by the question I received from an anonymous caller after the federal hearing in August: “Tina, how can you put those animals above your own people?” This person was talking, of course, about nonresidents in our community.
To me, that question signified the clearest, simplest expression of how much our community has been divided and weakened by our immigration and labor problems. We have on the one hand a class of nonresidents who are vulnerable to exploitation no matter how long they live here; they occupy most of the private sector jobs. We have on the other hand a class of residents who find it difficult to secure decent jobs and wages in the private sector, and so most work for the government, are practically held hostage by their jobs, and are afraid to speak their minds. Many of these residents have already left the islands out of frustration and in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families.
Our immigration and labor system has hurt us all — residents as well as nonresidents. My response to that anonymous caller, and to everyone else in this community who would ask me such a question is, “Those ‘animals’ you are referring to are also our people. We are all one people, and we are all suffering in the same sinking boat.”
And speaking of boats, I often think back to the old saying, “A rising tide floats all boats.” It applies well to the reason I support the efforts of nonresidents to improve their status here. Just as I believe that the status quo has hurt all of us, so too do I believe that we all stand to benefit from reform. Some people seem to think that a policy that hurts nonresidents, makes life difficult and more insecure for them, divides their families, and keeps them afraid of speaking out, must somehow be good for “locals.” But by now it should be painfully clear to all of us that we do not raise ourselves by tearing others down. Policies that hurt one group of people in our community will hurt all of us — and policies that help one group of people in our community will ultimately benefit the entire community. Hence, the rising tide.
I love this community enough to wish all people who call our islands home the opportunity to improve their quality of life. I love this community enough to consider everyone whose hearts, homes, and families are here as “local” as I am, and as deserving of the right to speak their minds and advocate for themselves as anyone else should be. I love this community enough to be angered by exploitation no matter who the perpetrator is, and to be distressed by poverty and village slums no matter who is poor and who is living in dilapidated homes and barracks. And I love this community enough to be deeply offended when anyone calls my friends, co-workers, former students, former teachers, and family members “animals” — no matter who is doing the name-calling.
Now, I know that I said earlier that our immigration and labor system has divided this community — and it has, in many ways, truly brought out the worst, most ignorant, and most racist instincts in some of our people. But in other ways, the amazing diversity of people in the Commonwealth is slowly giving rise to a new, vibrant, and more tolerant culture, and there is much potential for this new culture to be one of our greatest strengths. I see it increasingly in my generation — a much freer acceptance and appreciation of other traditions, and a greater sympathy for people who have made their homes here and simply want better lives for themselves and their families. I see it even more in younger children. It gives me hope. And at a time like this, we need more than anything to be able to pull together as a community and make the most of the talents, skills, and resources of all our people.
We need, in other words, to seek out the tide that will raise us all.
– Tina
P.S. Those who want more information on my position on federalization can access everything I have written on the subject (letters, testimony, notes, etc.) on this website. See the “Immigration and Labor” post, and the documents listed under “My letters” and “My speeches.”
I think “cui bono” whenever race comes between people.
awww. that’s sad. are we animals to these people? how could they say such things?
Tina, you probably will lose votes over this sadly, but your integrity isn’t for sale. I’m proud of the stance you took, and I truly hope you win this election. Win or lose, your candidacy betters this government.
Yes, take it from me. Racism is alive and well in the CNMI, and that racism often extends to anyone (including Statesiders) not of Northern Marianas Descent. Talk about biting the hand that feeds them. . .
Tina,
May I express my admiration for your courage to be different and speak your mind on this issue that so divides the people of CNMI-the proposed bill granting non-immigrant status to qualified non-resident workers. I am so happy to meet or read a local who supports the bill because she looks at it in its wider perspective, unlike the simplistic, emotional or irrational way that a lot of people have approached the subject. Many debates have centered on if you are for the bill then you are pro-alien and if you are are against the bill, then you are pro-local. Thank you for putting it in a way that people will understand that the issue is not Locals VS Aliens, for the real issue is to give ourselves a chance to transform the immigration and labor laws that have helped create the problems that we have in the CNMI.
More power and God bless you.
I celebrated, albeit quietly, with my 6:00am coffee over the imminent rise of the tide. I, too, love this community and am proud to have a place among all of its “animals”…
I read your article on the Tribune today and I must commend you for your stance on issues that affect everyone in the CNMI. My family and I pray that you win in the coming elections! It is unfortunate that most of those voting in the coming elections are locals who do not feel the same way you do. I just pray that everyone who has the sense of decency will come to his/her senses and do the right thing! More power to you and your campaign.
I read your article on the Tribune today,I totally respect you stance on the issues in the cnmi, my felow ocw’s and family will pray that you will get through to the finish line with victory, because you stand with the truht and balance and for the person who call’s us animals, who’s treating us animals? then what is he/she then, my friend, Remember, when it comes to mistakes, we need a great deal of tolerance. And a sense of humor doesn’t hurt either.
i wonder if the caller was only upset that you support PAWS….
sadly, this probably wasn’t the case.
either way, keep it up tina! don’t lose your fire.
Just believe on what you do. I’m sure you will win the election because there are lot of local people who has the same views in life as you, and they will support you. We have 4 voters in our family and am sure you have their votes. Our system of government must change, stereotype state of mind, and racism must stop. Who are you (the caller) to call these people ‘animal’? more power and may God bless and guide you. wcruz of Virginia
Tina, although I’ve CONGRATUALTED you by email, I just saw this on your blog and would like to add my sentiments here too. Your letter is GREAT and I THANK YOU for writing it. One of the many reasons why I’m voting for you is despite the fact you might lose vote as Turbitt says, YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES (INTEGRITY, HONESTY,GUTS etc.) to do and say what you believe is right…and THAT’S THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE NEED IN THE PUBLIC OFFICE…The racial GARBAGE needs to be cleaned up, and one way to do it is to put people like you in office. I’M PRAYING YOU WILL WIN!!!!!
gloria
TINA, JUST WANTED TO ADD…I COULDN’T BE MORE PROUD OF YOU EVEN IF YOU WERE MY REAL DAUGHTER!
gloria
I can not be more proud of Tina Sablan. I am much older than her (Tina is my second youngest daughter’s age) but I want to be like Tina when I grow up.
Tina, in behalf of all the innteligent “animals” here in the CNMI I would just like to say that you are one Tough COOKIE! Keep up fight and remember that if you ever do get elected, don’t fall into the same trap as the other traditional politicos that have gone before you ok? More power to you and your campaign. Oh and by the way, most of the “ANIMALS” would like to thank the animals who said that we are animals!lol
There is racism everywhere…just about…and it has thrived here for a long time. I have lived here on and off since 1963 and continuously since ‘78, and have seen and witnessed it first hand. We must rise above it, and must all do our part in decreasing it (I doubt if it can be eliminated altogether). It’s ‘locals’ (for a lack of a better description) like Tina who are most effective in exposing and stomping out this problem of racism. However, we who are not of CNMI descents (NOT “ANIMALS” as we have been referred to) must also do our part in creating a harmonious environment. We must strive to be upstanding residents/citizens, by being honest, respectful, and principled people.
CNMI can only be the Paradise it should be, if we all work together, each contributing our own expertise. The CNMI descents cannot do it alone, and the sooner that is realized and accepted, the sooner “Paradise” will be attained. Many years ago, I chose to make CNMI my home, (a similar choice made by some of your ancestors). My children grew up here and this has been their home. We’ve lived here and have each contributed (however small that may be), to the betterment of our community. My family is comprised of various ethnicities. I joke about my immediate family being a small “United Nations” in itself. We are Ulithians, Yapese, Palauans, Filipinos, Caucasians, Samoans, and Chamorros..(Yes! CNMI descents)…AND THIS IS HOME TO US. I have taught my children and grandchildren to be PROUD of who they are…and they have learned well!!!
I do not want my grandchildren racially divided or marred in any way even only by racial slurs or stance by racists.
So…THANK YOU, TINA for speaking up against racism.
thank you tina for putting up your conscience amomng other things. To the anonymous caller who called us “ANIMALS”, I don’t have any regrets after all, WE ANIMALS FIXED THE TROUBLED ENGINE again AT CUC last week without the aid of legislation because we do have the responsibility to the community. Animals do served, don’t they…
It is refreshing to know that at least one candidate realizes our island will never improve until the quality of life for everyone here is elevated.
As for racism, while it may exist everywhere, part of the problem is that some local people were mislead to think a protectionist system could work for an advantage and the economic strategy of protectionism, for products or people, has been tried everywhere and does not work anywhere.
I can remember the southern US is the early and mid 60’s and I think anyone else alive during that period, even a devout bigot, would agree that their intergrated society and communities today are better now than they were forty years ago. I do not see it at all among MHS students, so hopefully our diverse population will prove to be an advantage rather than a hinderance.
Good luck Tina, I wish I could vote in district 1!!!
Tina,
I’ve been your greatest admirer ever. Cheers for the courage and open-mindedness!
I LOVE YOU!
MPK
racism is everywhere? i believe this term would make more sense when you are being racist, because you are a superior race (so you think) but Americans being discriminated and treated differently here in the CNMI? i’ve know cases here that white Americans vent about being misjudged and mistreated by the locals.
Yes racism rears its ugly head everywhere. If you don’t think racism exists everywhere, then saipan middle road is in denial. To insinuate that the statement “racism is everywhere” labels one a racist defies logic. There is no hidden meaning. What’s hidden may be your feelings against the locals. Just like white Americans have been discriminated here in the CNMI, “chamorro Americans” and other Americans including Mexican Americans, continue to be discriminated against in the United States. The Chamorro race is not superior. There is only one race, that’s the human race. Remember racism only begets more racism. I apologize to you and to all “white Americans” who have been discriminated against.
Disgusting
In a recent Letter to the Editor Tina Sablan recounted a shocking incident where she was chastised for her stance regarding the alien workers’ road to citizenship. She was obviously confronted by a racist who used the most derogatory and disgusting language possible to describe the Filipino race, a comment so vile that I will not even repeat it. I want to thank Tina for bringing to everyone’s attention what could be considered systemic racism in the CNMI.
One of the first things I noticed upon arriving on island a little over two years ago was that the Filipinos do all the work here and without their hard work the infrastructure that is functioning would not be doing so. I wish the Filipinos were running the government, and then maybe it would be working instead of being the absolute failure that it is. Believe me, I have been all over the world and the Filipinos are among the hardest working and congenial people on earth.
I could easily compare the virtues of Filipinos to members of other ethnic groups, one of whose members made the disgusting comment. However, holding an ethnic group responsible for the comments of one member would be wrong and would make me a hypocrite, no better than the person I would be ridiculing. Instead, I would like to address the person who made the degrading slur as the individual he or she is. You are a vile and disgusting excuse for a human being, a parasite who preaches hate and discrimination. Thinking people everywhere see you for what you really are.
Doc Murdock
Navy Hill
TAKEN from SAIPAN TRIBUNE’s EDITORIAL OCT. 24, 2007….”Hail to the CHIEF…Chief Doc Murdock..”
Tina, I commend you for taking a stand against racism and for always speaking from your heart. I’m extremely proud of my Filino heritage and the Filipino spirit. I have come to the point in my life where I no longer am angered by racists or racist comments. If anything, I feel sorry for bigots and I pray that one day they will become educated and realize that no race is more superior than another. The only way to erase discrimination and racism is to treat everyone with love and respect. Over 90% of our indigenous people are not just Catholic, but Christian. As a Catholic and as a Christian, shouldn’t we love everyone equally, regardless of where they come from? Maybe we need to listen a little more attentively at Church and stop being so fixated on what we wear in Church. It’s not a fashion show, it’s a House of Worship! For all the bigots out there, I pray for you.
Tina, I would like to thank you for your stand against racism here in the CNMI. Yes, I am a Filipino, a proud global Filipino. I am not angry being called “animal” because, I know what these animals have contributed to the islands for years. I just had some points of being animals. Calling us animals but, we’re the ones who built your house because you don’t even know how to build one. We are the ones taking care of your kids, cleaning the house and preparing your food because, you don’t know how to do household chores. When your sick, you go to the animals’ country because, animals are well-trained and can make you feel better. You admire lady animals because , they dress well and smells good. Your CUC engines run very well in the past because you have reliable animal engineers. Now, what do you think of yourself caller? Human? C’mon! These animals that you’re calling don’t chew and spit betel nut around your islands making them look ugly to prospected investors and tourists. Think again. By the way, the governor is married to an animal, too, am I right?
buboy,
tina doesn’t know who made the anonymous call; thus, including betel nut chewers, the nmd people in general, and the governor in your post is extremely inappropriate. and mind you, the people of the cnmi paid the hardworking filipino and other overseas workers (not animals) for all their services–be it building our homes or watching over our children.
“two wrongs don’t make a right.”
Well, I too think racism has been part of human interaction everywhere, and in all generations, all civilations. Perhaps the ability to classify and the need to sort into us and them is hard-wired into our systems. It is a choice, though, to overcome our natures and be tolerant and less racist, less bigotted than might come to us “naturally.” And it’s the right choice.
Tina, I admire your courage, and respect your ability to state your views in a way that helps show them as the right choices they are. I also agree with you that our flawed immigration system has brought some good to the CNMI, with an influx and mix of races that has increased tolerance and awareness.
There’s more tolerance here now than 20 years ago when I first came. So your expression now of your opinion is greeted with greater respect and agreement than it might have been at another earlier time.
But even those in our community to talk racist aren’t always so bad in person and at an individual level. I’ve known people here (and in the states), who used perjorative terms for people of certain races, who talked about “sending them back” whereever they came from, and other equally offensive things. And then I watched those same people in one-on-one interactions with people of the groups they so denigrated. And in most situations, they were polite, respectful, and sometimes generous and full of love. Sometimes we say things that are more extreme than we really are, and the bigots and bad-talked are also part of our community whom we must learn to love.
And as for the comment about “animals,” it was offensive and meant to be offensive, but another response would be to acknowledge that we are part of the animal kingdom. In other words, we’re all animals.
jmho.
Dear Tina,
I’ve been reading with admiration and pride about your stance against racism and, in particular, promotion of equal treatment for FIlipino/a residents of the CNMI. As a Filipina who grew up on Saipan, I must tell you how much I appreciate your outspoken and unabashed views about the prevalence of racism, prejudice and bigotry that had remained unacknowledged and purposefully ignored for years. I wish someone had been as courageous as you when I was growing up there. I think it would have made a difference in how I reacted whenever I heard the racist term used for Filipinos, which were at times said in front of me as if I was not part of that group. It might have also made me more accepting of my own culture and identity, something which I honestly couldn’t do for a long time because of years of trying to be “local” enough and attempt to fit in and belong.
Iimportantly, I think someone with your conviction might have emboldened many local people around me at the time who thought that racism was wrong to proactively do something about it. Unfortunately, I think that the lack of leadership against racism at the time caused many to be silent about things or resist racism in a quieter yet ineffective way.
As your former teacher, I want to say how proud I am of you and all that you have accomplished. You have undertaken a challenging task. What you are trying to do is create legal and cultural changes, which as you know will take time to manifest. (I use the word “culture” here to mean a way of life, and not to refer to “Chamorro or Carolinian culture.” That is, I don’t think that racist thinking or behavior is a local “cultural” thing. I mean that racism has been so prevalent in the CNMI that it has been part of a way of life for years.) It’s not easy making these changes but over time, I believe that the necessary changes will happen.
Anyway, thank you, again for your vision and commitment to equality. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the results of the election. No matter what happens, know that you’ve won the hearts and admiration of a lot of people, including mine.
Rose Cuison Villazor
Dallas, Texas
Rose, well said! FYI, growing up here, I had friends who would make derogatory comments against Filipinos and I would blast them about it. They’d say silly things like, “You’re not really Filipino cuz you grew up here.” That always upset me. I am extremely proud of my Filipino roots and I am a huge fan of San Miguel beer and filipino food. But that isn’t what makes me pinoy. What makes me pinoy is my bloodline and my heart.
I think we are all proud of Tina. Tina, I hope my daughter will be as courageous as you…minus the stubborness…JK.
Best wishes,
Ed
P.S. Rose, I still hope you write for MP!
Your words here are balm-like, Tina.
What’s all this talk about raceisum! Isn’t the issue “PERMANENT RESIDENCY” ??? Where in the world can you go work,send money out to support your family in your home of origin and be given a free ticket for”PERMANENT RESIDENCY STATUS” in the country of employment. Would the CNMI benefit from a move like this or what are the consaquences. I don’t know, please enlighten me. I respect Tina’s position in many of her issues and respect her for going public with them. Good luck with your endeavur
Nope, the issue is not “premanent residency”, its “non-immigrant status”. Big difference. When an alien goes to the U.S. Mainland on a working visa, he is eligible for permanent residency after five years. Tens of thousands receive this status each year. Should the CNMI be that much different? Aren’t we Americans? Aren’t we part of America? In any case, what is proposed for the CNMI is a much lessor status for contract workers, who have worked here legally for five years. Non-immigrant status does NOT lead to citizenship or even permanent residency. This means no voting rights, ever. Were I a Filipino contract worker in the CNMI, and I were to receive that status, I’d be on the first boat out of here to the mainland. Why stay in a place where I am unappreciated and looked down upon? Why raise my children in a place where they are disparaged by their peer group, until they gradually become ashamed of their heritage?
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