Asian Pam 214_ Reflection Paper 2
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Chen 1
Christina Chen
Professor Park
Introduction to Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies 214
19 February, 2024
Radio Bikin Reflection Paper
Operation Crossroads was a series of nuclear tests conducted by the United States at
Bikini Atoll in 1946. The primary objective was to assess the effects of nuclear weapons on
naval ships and equipment, as well as to study the impact on the surrounding environment.
Indeed, Operation Crossroads was not just a scientific endeavor, it created a progressive image of
the various types of action that resulted from colonial imperialism and how it impacted the entire
population of Pacific Islanders at Bikini Atoll, resulting in them losing their home and loved
ones.
Before Operation Crossroads, the Bikinians led lives deeply rooted in their island home,
immersed in the tranquility of their traditions and daily routines. They were forcefully moved to
a distant island of Rogerik, where they were promised safety, which only allowed them to escape
the destruction of their homeland, but not a true escape from the radioactivity left within it. In the
wake of Operation Crossroads, the Bikinians endured the physical upheaval of their lives and the
profound loss of their cultural heritage and sense of belonging.
The United States justified its testing in Bikini Atoll by framing it as a crucial step in
ensuring national security and global stability. The meticulously orchestrated broadcast
showcasing the operation’s infrastructure further bolstered the perception of efficiency and
goodwill. Ultimately, the rationale behind the Bikini tests was intricately woven into a narrative
Chen 2
of national defense, scientific advancement, and the pursuit of global security, despite the
lingering controversies and consequences.
As the United States conducted its tests in Bikini Atoll, the response to radioactivity
varied starkly between U.S. service personnel and the indigenous inhabitants. U.S. service
members exhibited a semblance of preparation and awareness. However, amidst the wonder,
there was a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the dangers of radioactivity.
Consequently, numerous service members suffered adverse health effects, with some requiring
hospitalization in the aftermath. In stark contrast, the indigenous Bikinians found themselves
woefully unprepared for the radioactive fallout. Without knowledge and resources, they were
thrust into the situation without warning or comprehension. Despite efforts by soldiers to provide
some form of protection, the Bikinians remained largely unaware of the dangers posed by the
atomic bomb and its aftermath.
Operation Crossroads embodies the entrenched dynamics of settler colonial power, as
Saranillo (2015) examines. Through the forced displacement of the Indigenous Bikihinians and
the usurpation of their land for nuclear testing, which can only provide the United States with the
power of white supremacy, the wants and needs of the Asian Pacific Islanders were ruthlessly
overlooked. This disregard for their beliefs and welfare underscores the racialized and
dehumanizing nature of colonization. Saranillo’s assertion that “multiculturalism is no less
persistent in maintaining logics of white supremacy,” (285) underscores the systemic violence
and erasure faced by indigenous people. Operation Crossroads serves as a poignant example of
how settler colonial power operates to exploit and marginalize vulnerable groups, perpetuating a
legacy of dispossession and trauma.
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