NMDism

I recently had an evaluative, healthy discussion with a local guy who went to great lengths to explain his concerns about the future of the Chamorros or as he put it, “us NMDs.” He pointed out that Saipan should be for the Chamorros and Carolinians only as this is their land.

I was not surprised with his concerns and opinions, after all, he is a Chamorro. I pointed out that if he owned a parcel of land, that land was his, but to claim Saipan as his, borders not only on being comical, but ridiculous. I also asked why so many are so focused on being “Chamorro” instead of being Saipanese. When one asks an American what he or she is, the typical answer would be “American.” A person from Germany would be German, one from Spain, a Spaniard, and one from China, Chinese. He gave me a confused look. Huh?

We’re beginning to get hung up on our ethnicity that we miss the logic behind this whole mess with race, color and creed, especially Guamanians. But most people here simply do not care. But if Chamorros need to be Chamorros, so be it. And Saipan, Tinian, and Rota along with the Northern Islands, are home to the Chamorros who are recognized as indigenous to these islands and Guam to the south. But these islands, now, are also home to people from all over the world, Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Germans, Russians, Hungarians, Greeks, Bangladeshis, Malaysians, Yanks, and Johnny Rebs, etc. So many children were born here of parents from other countries and although the children are not Chamorros, they are Saipanese, and American citizens, with SSN, and birth records at CCHC, as well.

NMD is a messy, heartbreaking subject and has been since it was included in the CNMI Constitution. This is perhaps the one term most commonly associated with Chamorro pride. But in and of itself, the term NMD does not offer too much to those who qualify. Aside from being a typecast term, it’s quite senseless. And per the CNMI Constitution, one had to be born prior to 1950, be a TTPI citizen, and domiciled in the NMI prior to the advent of the Covenant and Constitution. Some folks did talk of correcting the guidelines to label those not 100 percent NMD by the term “blood quantum” but how does one go about proving he or she had Chamorro or Carolinian blood? Or, is “Blood” in this case only a metaphor? Could we know a Chamorro or Carolinian person when we meet one? When a person talks, can we detect the local accent, traceable family name, etc., “familian Muzea of Gualo Rai,” or “familian Pugas of Fanaganam,” for example? Prove it through the court via a visit to the hospital for blood sampling or a family tree? Oh, and by the way, those children adopted by an NMD are 100 percent NMD regardless of the fact that their parents were from another country. What about when the adoptive parents of a local child are non-NMDs?

So, does one actually benefit from being an NMD? Maybe, but other than pride, I cannot put a finger on anything worth discussing. Why was it even introduced at all? Oh, the Article 12 issue? Ninety-nine percent negative. The fact that it restricts land ownership to only NMDs negatively impacts the economy, land values, etc., to an extent, leaving most landowners proud but a bit disappointed. Of the factors which play a vital role in determining how much our properties are worth, Article 12 plays a detrimental role to landowners in that they can only sell to another NMD. Leases and rentals are usually dirt cheap leaving the landowners wanting for more. Investments, speculation, size, and location, are key but think about this, if you could sell your land or lease out beyond the 55 years, for millions, why settle for $750 a month? I suppose dumb, rich, and happy, do not go together in this case. But all these issues will be history as a generation of non-NMDs CNMI’s voters start massing at the polls in a few short years. These non-NMDs’ CNMI future voters, do they have the numbers to effect drastic changes in the CNMI? Take a look at the 2010 CNMI Census and decide for yourself, and watch the local consternation. Tough days ahead at the polls, NMDs.

Rudy M. Sablan
Garapan