Bikini Island After Wwll example essay topic

The American government politically states the freedom citizens should have. However, with this statement comes responsibility from the government. The responsibility to assist its citizens. The responsibility to respect differences. The responsibility to act civil towards the universal citizen. The people of America put their trust in the government and because of this the government of America should be held accountable to the United Nations for the situation of Bikini Island.

This is clearly demonstrated in the ABC Presentation of Bikini Island. The Americans came with ultimatums masked in promises of protection and life long care. Reluctantly the Bikinians packed up and gathered all they could carry onto the barge that would take them away from their life as they knew it. The Bikinians were banished from their island in 1946. Some of them forever.

The American government did not have the Bikinians on their priority list because it took them a further two years to find a vacant island for the Bikinians to inhabit and even when the conditions were very poor. In 1948 the settlement of Kili was made by the Bikinian culture. Unlike Bikini Island, Kili had no protective lagoon or sheltered cove. There was no possible economy or way to live off the island, thus determining the reliance of Bikinians on America forever. The lack of lagoon, reef and sheltered cove made for harsh conditions not only for the island inhabitants, but for the supply ships that often blew off course or brought damaged food.

The new island proved to be more of a prison than the haven they once lived off. America was entrusted with Bikini Island after WWll. With arrogance, America could only think of revenge on Japan from Pearl Harbour. The decision to destroy all ships and weaponry by atom bombs after WWll was to signify the end of all wars. It became known as Operation Crossroads. Because of Operation Crossroads, the ship graveyard on the oceans floor still carry active ammunition and weapons that could destroy the long process of restoration.

Nearly 50 years have passed since the atomic and hydrogen bomb wreaked havoc on the paradise of Bikini Island. The lagoon still poisonous and radiation still making it impossible for this island to be inhabitable. Meanwhile the Bikinians stand by waiting. Waiting for fulfillment of promises. Waiting for their life to start over. The twenty-three atomic bombs and one hydrogen bomb did not only destroy the island and surrounding environment but the Bikini culture as well.

Traditionally a self reliant culture, they lived in harmony with nature on their sacred island created by the Gods of the Reef. Presently, children no longer know much of their homeland; Bikini to them is just a myth. A crime made by the American government. They grow farther and farther away from the elder's dream of wanting to return which puts the elders in unrest.

Additionally, the Bikini culture used to be a peaceful one. The once 200 populated island of Bikini was spaced out. Due to belief of demons of Kili the Bikinians live on the front of the island in extremely close quarters. America is now responsible for the social problems and upheaval within the community that Kili has created. The only compensation America has come up with is naming Bikini a National Park and trying to pass on the knowledge of the damage to the Bikinians.

It is not enough to restore to the neo-nomadic islanders. The Bikinians were entrusted to the American government and therefore should have had the same security and rights as those living on the American mainland. However, their trust was destroyed as the nuclear poison is languishing after countless promises with little or no results. The American government decision and actions of 1946 now becomes ironic. They destroy all life and surrounding area of Bikini Island for 'experimental reasons' instead of holding Operation Crossroads in the middle of the ocean and destroy the Bikinian culture. Now, fifty years later they try to restore the damage that was caused.

They arrogance of the American government has cost the lives of over 900 people. The rights of the Bikinians were abused and the American government needs to compensate them more actively for the wrong activities done unto them.