fail
ending supply of wealth in the eyes of someone with so little. They then
to understand how the doctors can refuse them food, saying it is too expensive
when the "richness" of the program abounds. They cannot understand how
the doctors can refuse to discuss important but sensitive issues at meetings.
The Marshallese operate on a different time frame than Americans
and it is difficult for a time conscious American to understand. Nothing is
done by the clock {n Marshallese society. “Marshallese time" is looked
- on as a joke and causes the time oriented American only exasperation when his
plans are delayed.
Yet when one understands Marshallese time in the
perspective of the culture, it becomes an important part of understanding the
people.
CO
-
Rigid time schedules are unknown in this society. When a visitor
arrives on the island, it is expected he will spent time in greetings and
‘stories - being friendly ~ rather than rushing around getting work done:
Meetings are never expected to start on time.
After all, what is time to
these people on their isolated island - it has no meaning, no necessity.
Whenall the people have gathered after finishing all their work, only
then will the magistrate say the meeting is ready to begin. A criticism from
the people is that the Americans always start meetings on time and many
people miss what is occurring. Similarly, one must be patient and encure
long silences at meetings.
come up only at the end.
Usually it will be found that criticisms and problems
It is the idea of a time conscious American vs.
a time independent Marshallese.
,
Another area of culture concern is the male-female relation in
health matters. A male family memberis not permitted by custom to bain
the room when a female family memberis being examined. Similarly,
when a person is sick; it is the females who tend to the needs of the patient.
Women who have returned to the United States feel that a female interpretor
should accompany them for this reason.
The idea of an interpreter is important
because in the past people have traveled to the United States without a guide
for the entire trip who can help them. Not knowing English and the shock
of the cultural change makes the sudden exposure to the United States
‘frightening to the people.
The people of each atoll have some individual criticism of the program
that needs to be examined. The islands of Utirik and Rongelap have recently
written separate letters indicating the mood of discontent that exists. (Aonendix)
Their feelings expressed in the letters are genuine and on close questioning,
these feelings have been present for many yeats. However, in the past,
the people have felt afraid to openly verbalize their feelings. The fear
grew out of the people's perception of the United States as the authority and
provider, as discussed earlier, They thought that criticism would mean
discontinuing the contact theyhave with the program.
2.
Utirik. The distrust for the program at Utirik first surfaced openly in
March of 1976. At a village meeting, various people thought it time to
express what they have been thinking for so long.
5005913
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