About the Author

Kel Muna makes up half of the Muña Bros. duo. He is an independent producer, writer and director with over 12 years in the multimedia trenches and a feature film under his belt. Kel graduated as Valedictorian of his film class along with various honors and holds a degree in film from the super-crazy Full Sail School of Film.

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1. 

   Comment by Jayton Okada on 6 December 2008:

   I can’t understand why so many have the “us vs. them” mentality.

   Personally, I intermingle with various different cliques and groups.
   Groups of different ages, backgrounds, mindsets, ethnicities, credos, musical likings, socio-economic backgrounds, etc.

   Many of the people I’m seen hanging out with around town differ.
   I can hang out with my high school friends, our group was a very diverse group, at first the most common thing we shared was just classes in Freshman year since in the classes we shared, the Top 20 students from Oceanview Middle and Inarajan Middle were combined together in the ‘fast track’ courses. 5 years later we’re all still good friends, but our clique is a clique formed through a common thread of shared academics. There’s athletes, gamers, car enthusiasts, girly girls, etc in our ragtag group, but our group has never been about exclusivity.

   The people I’m seen with nowadays are usually musicians, artists, skaters, etc.

   While persons in the groups I hang out with may have the in-group/out-group strain common between cliques, but I easily intermingle with each of then.

   Some cliques though will have the exclusivity problem and have members who only stick together with no one else.

   But generally speaking, most of the groups/cliques I’ve rolled around with or met are peaceful, but to every person their own.
2. 

   Comment by Kel Muna on 6 December 2008:

   Yes Jayton, I agree. To every person their own. BUT, I believe that your experience is unfortunately rare. Most of us locals don’t tend to be as open-minded; nor are we as willing to get past our comfort zone to try and blaze a path while working collectively with others for the greater good, despite any conflict of interest. And that’s more of what I was leaning towards was the ‘conflict of interest’ aspect of cliques.

   Let’s take a look at business for example. I know for a fact that there are companies on island that can’t look past themselves not holding all the nuts. And if they don’t get what they want, then their associates take sides, and so on and so on, which automatically limits growth and potential. I see this as being greedy – wanting the whole pie instead of just a piece. I mean even the different mafia families had to work together despite their differences in order to ensure the longevity of their survival. And rumor has it that they’re still around today.

   My main rant is this: more of us on Guam should look at the big picture and not just what’s in it for us individually because otherwise, we could be missing out on something big by thinking small. Guam is too small to justify a term like ‘conflict of interest’ – everyone knows each other and we’d never really get anything done.

   People need to look at it this way – you can have one whole small pie, or one piece of a HUGE pie. Put your differences aside and work together.
3. 

   Comment by Jayton Okada on 7 December 2008:

   The way you put it Kel, reminds me of a quote I used in my recent research paper on Nepotism…

   “nepotism also works against any value in diversity or growth. If nature tells us anything, it’s that inbreeding inevitably leads to defective offspring. This is because people who are very closely related, while they may share the same “good” genes, also share the same bad ones. Similarly, when a manager practices nepotism, any flaws that s/he has is likely to be present in the people s/he hires, as well. And while it may seem better to hire friends or people that we’re comfortable with, doing so also causes a business to stagnate as it becomes more deeply entrenched in a single mindset. Having open hiring procedures allows for “new blood” to bring new and different viewpoints to the cause.” (© http://www.drizzle.com/~lostboy/TheLine/Nepotism.html)

   In this context, nepotism is analogous to the in-group mentality of cliques, groups, and also businesses as illustrated by your example and mine.

   But yes, all in all, working together is the most important aspect of all! But as we all know, many people can’t get past paltry things such as outer appearances, religious backgrounds, race and ethnicities, or even varying social circles.

   Perhaps one day we shall see the peaceful Utopian society only dreamed of by many.
4. 

   Comment by Jayton Okada on 7 December 2008:

   Furthermore, while ignorance and disunity will plague us well into the future… looking back upon the interview questions, I reflect on the question about what personal fulfillment I get.

   One of the best feelings of fulfillment and accomplishment is seeing different groups of people united through music.

   While in our subculture (or counterculture depending on the perception of it) there are different groups of people who stick to a certain type of music.

   You’ve got your musicians, the music fans, the elitists, and the kids following trends.

   On Guam, you’ve got the reggae lovers, the rock fans, the alternative and not so hard rock or metal fans, the metal heads, the hardcore bunch, the punks, the down to earth indie peeps, the ska fans, a small percentage of goths, and mostly with the kids and music culture in general… the emo or ’scene’ kids
   Go to the mall on any given Saturday, and look for the kids in the tight jeans with pre-made tears, and fringe bangs comprised of 5 different highlight colors that’s the scene kids.

   It’s funny how some of Guam’s rising young reggae bands, Table for Five and iDread Roots, are comprised of members of Guam’s local metal/hardcore and punk families… i.e. By Blood/xAdherencex family and the illustrious Hymn for the Tortured family of HFTT and it’s various side-projects and off-shoots and the members of the Freedom Fries army.

   (The reggae debate can lead into a whole other discussion, exemplified by the one gentleman at the Shiro’s premiere wearing the Listen to J.D. Krutch [instead of Bob Marley] shirt advocating about Guam’s social and musical identity… I sense another good Fiesta Food For Thought article )

   But to the main point, although in other regions, having shows with these varying genres leads to low numbers of crowds, group tensions, and violence; here on Guam it’s a lot peaceful and fun.

   It’s a great thing to be able to see a band like Hymn for the Tortured sharing the stage with Matala, Freedom Fries, or Mochang.
   All play varying styles of music, each have varying backgrounds, but you’ll see attendees getting up and dancing to each band whether it be throwing down and moshing, swaying your hips, or getting into a skank pit fueled by the frantic trombone and trumpet growls.

   That’s the greatest thing to see here, being able to unite varying groups to enjoy one night of great local music.

   The best feeling is also having these events and keeping these kids off the streets. While IMHO many of us aren’t trouble makers at all, a lot of us participate in community programs, write poetry and songs, or go and start making short films just for the net… you’ll have the rotten apples that get glorified as the not-so-admirable poster child for the rest of us.
5. 

   Comment by James on 7 December 2008:

   Star Trek! A great universe that promotes unity amongst all races! And will be coming to a theater near you in May…a brand new, back to basic, movie written and directed by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Cloverfield, MI:3, Alias) showing a brand new Kirk, new Spock, and new faces filling in for the old crew of the NCC-1701!

   (I wasn’t paid to promote the film…I’m just a die hard and I thought it fit the topic). LOL.
6. 

   Comment by Kel Muna on 7 December 2008:

   Bold example, Captain James A. Castro.

   The USS Enterprise = Guam
   The Crew = the melting pot
   Each episode = the effort of working together past differences to achieve the common goal.

   This idea of putting clique-ish differences aside to achieve something greater may sound like a Sci-Fi TV show vs. real life. To that I say, “Where do you think they got the idea for cell phones?” It took them a while but they got here!

   More than just a pipe dream, with the collective power of the people a real difference can be made. I mean, are we REALLY giving her all she’s got, Cap’n?

   And although I’ve never been a huge Star Trek fan (I do think that you ended up with the name James through a higher power), I am a big fan of J.J. Abrams. The new Star Trek trailer might turn me into a convert – it’s flat out bad-ass (apple.com/trailers)! But one thing bugs me about it…how come they didn’t show the Emperor? Eeeyyyy! Only kidding, bro.
7. 

   Comment by Jayton Okada on 7 December 2008:

   Trekkies vs. Star Wars maniacs…….
   one pairing of cliques that will NEVER see peace.
8. 

   Comment by Shannon Siguenza on 11 December 2008:

   Cliques are one of the many western ideas that have poisoned people on Guam. Simple as that. … and I strongly believe that Trekkies love Star Wars and Star Wars geeks love Star Trek. They just refuse peace because then they’d have nothing to debate about.
9. 

   Comment by Jayton Okada on 11 December 2008:

   Shannon, that’s true.
   While I’m a Star Wars nerd,
   I’ll still flash the V sign and say “Live long and prosper”.
10. 

    Comment by toby gonzales on 11 December 2008:

    simple and easy
    cliques
    its just human
    its the same as why are there countries
    why are there religion
    whys is this a mac and this is a windows
    its just human nature to compete– for luxury,power, or just pride
    yeah we are the “smartest species” yet were the most ignorant one
    think about the earth being here for a day
    and the human race for an hour
    and in that hour all weve done is kill one another
    all we care for is pursuit of happiness and alike minds think alike
    some of us believe in unity and i think thats the ultimate gift
    if you were just to break from the expectancy of society and understand that pain he/she feels is the same as what you feel
    right now for such a small island all i see is fascism and racism
    look at okkoddo high..yeah school fights are normal but stabbing?
    it seems like both cliques tried an ethnic cleansing day…
11. 

    Comment by Kel Muna on 11 December 2008:

    I heard about the Okkoddo riot earlier today and I was just disgusted, man…very disappointed. All of you have really valid points regarding cliques. Now here’s another one for you…what do you think the catalyst is that will help people to get to work together on this small island? I mean, this island’s not that huge. So what is it?
12. 

    Comment by Jayton Okada on 12 December 2008:

    Going back to my post on the Simple Fix article,
    and tying it in to my interview.
    Ignorance is something that will be hard to get rid of,
    and alluding to my Simple Fix comments,
    theirs a lot of ethnic problems concerning the racism, ignorance, and treatment between Chamorros and Micronesians.
    While we are more closer in culture, genetics, and mindsets to our Micronesian brethren, within society here, and very apparent in our high schools, there is so much ignorance ON BOTH SIDES.
    I hate when I see this. It pains me it does,
    Me and my younger brother…ouy babysitters were Chuukese, and I loved being with them and their families and playing with their nepehews and neices who were my age. Honestly, this ties in with the culture debate on another article, but Micronesians come here to Guam to live better lives, but some tend to be treated like shit! WTF!?!? They have some of the most culutral pride than anyone else on this island.
    While you may hear people always saying stuff about the haoles and the buildup, or this and that, hear some slurs or ignorant jokes about flips, the asians, and post-911 the indian, nepalese, and indoensians that stay here..i see more violent fights with Micronesians and Chamorros.
    I almost got caught in the middle of a riot at Southern High as I was walking to class. My sophomore year there was a riot like once a month between a group of chamorros picking on the micronesian groups who are always hanging outside 2000 wing.
    Even girl fights occurred and if they weerent throwing punches or scratching this girl only riot they were throwing rocks and people standing by got hit by them too.
    But we never had STABBING. Look at GW… they’ll pull out chains, small hammers, or knives… and i’m talking more about the chamorro boys who will pull out the weapons, i’ve seen it firsthand… BUT hey… it wasn’t in the newspaper… Southern High always is.. and i doubt Okkodo would’ve been in the paper if there wasn’t a complaint (but everyone puts pressure on school fights after the Newby incident at Southern)

    This also ties in to media’s glamorization of violence and such.

    I was so tired of people having a negative perception of Southern High.
    It’s one of the best schools on this island, but the media slanders our students and our teachers.
    I’m one prime example of a Southern High turnout.

    But this racial ignorance, NEEDS to stop.

    While, yes Kel, I may be one of the reluctant ones who is able to move thru different cliques, and I have no racial dispositions. But still, I wish I could say the same for others.

    Guahan means we have.
    You know what this island has?
    It’s full of ignorant hypocritical criticals and cynics, and its hard for the many people that wish to see PEACE bring it forward.
    One day I hope we can stop all this.
    I fucking hate it.
    And sorry for the vulgarity, but it just offends me everytime someone tries to pick racial based fights.

    Why must we fight with our brothers and sisters of Micronesia, when it’s shown we’ve all descended from the same ancient civilization?
13. 

    Comment by Kel Muna on 12 December 2008:

    Jayton – thanks for bringing so many strong and substantial points, man! VERY WELL SAID! You’re really enlightening all of us through your experiences and I think that when we speak from personal situations, we’re able to help educate or at least provide some sort of detour for those that need it. AND…I’m a firm believer that people only know what they know. What I mean by that is, if no one else is as brave as you to come with this knowledge and teach those around us or bring it to light, whether it’s parents teaching their kids or peers setting examples, then things will always remain status quo. And that’s one thing that I definitely can’t stand – inadequate status quo.

    We have an interview that’ll be up next week with MMA fighter Joe Duarte and he also has a thing or two to say about school/street violence addressing all the fools (young and old) on this island that can’t get along. Thanks, dude.
14. 

    Comment by Jayton Okada on 12 December 2008:

    Joe is awesome.

    and THANK YOU.

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