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Independance Full Circle
JBCraig | 04 July, 2008 00:05
Fourth of July in Yap:
Having been in Yap for over a month now I can see how the local culture is both similar and very different than in the US. I have been in England during the 4th of July and it was odd being in the nation which participated in colonizing the United States. Strangely enough, the English still celebrated the day with parties and firework displays around London, and we openly celebrated as Americans there. Now, in Yap, I have had the complete opposite experience.
Spending the 4th of July in Yap is quite different. The United States participated in colonizing Micronesia after WWII, and FSM has only had their independence from the US since 1986. Because the colonization was so recent, I don’t feel that there will be any celebrations among the locals. The expatriates are having a small private party as a local park with BBQ and music. There are no fireworks here, no parades, and no police roadblocks for DUI’s.
I know that it is Independence Day at home, but even with their independence, the FSM is no more independent than one Siamese twin. The US granted the FSM its sovereignty, but controls their government through the Compact of Free Association (amended in 2003). Generally, the Compact grants funding in exchange for defense rights. After the Compact is extinguished, the citizens and the government of the Federated States of Micronesia may actually experience true independence.
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