The Bomb
The U.S. is heavily responsible for the detremental nuclear effects set on Bikini. Bikini Atoll was selected as a nuclear testing site and utilized in July 1, 1946 under Operation Crossroads. The U.S. military delivered more than 200 ships, 20,000 radiation detectors, and 5,000 animal test subjects onto Bikini (“The Marshallese”). Bikini Atoll, with beautiful sandy coasts and shimmering crystal waves, soon became a dark wasteland after the dropped atom bombs. Theodore Taylor, who was present for the explosions and aftermath, states in The Bomb that homes became pitiful wreckages, palm trees either became skeletons or tore in half, and scorched test boats littered the lagoon surface. Although the atoll has improved, Bikinians cannot …show more content…
According to page 159 of The Bomb, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Bikini safe to reinhabit. However, this was not the case. The oblivious islanders who stayed on Bikini slowly walked into the hands of death, since an undetected radioactive substence called Celsium 127 was gradually killing them. Upon realizing this, the islanders were notified and evacuated once again. Some Bikinians moved to scattered islands in Micronesia. However, in 1986, the Compact of Free Association (COFA) was enacted. This allows the natives to enter the U.S., be housed, and work for the country. The U.S. is also obliged to pay for the damage dealt to Bikini, which came up over $200 million. This treaty does, however, mean that the associated countries give the U.S. permission to utilize their lands in exchange for financial aid. The U.S. was also responsible for the radiation poisoning islanders received. The treaty does not cover some of the islanders’ federal health funds but does allow them to purchase private care. Bikinians are also elegible to join Medicaid, which is healthcare for those with low salary, and other healthcare providers - without being federally funded (McElfish, et. …show more content…
already supports the Marshell Islands financially and with the COFA, but they should also secure the Marshallese’s health. The U.S. provides economic aid by paying for the bomb’s dealt damage, and also allows Marshall natives to relocate into the states without being full citizens. However, an excess of migrants are left homeless or financially unstable. The U.S., although a primary cause for their poor health, fails to provide cheap healthcare. The U.S. should share their focus on Bikini with the people affected from