Children of Israel: US Military Imperialism and Marshallese Migration in the Poetry of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner

Bikini Atoll, once chosen by the US government for nuclear testing under the guise of advancing global peace, remains uninhabitable due to severe environmental damage caused by these tests. Despite initial assurances that the displacement of Marshallese islanders would be temporary, the atoll's contamination persists, threatening future generations. This study highlights the ongoing health and socio-political impacts on Marshallese communities, including radiation-related illnesses, dietary dependence on imported Western foods, and climate-induced displacement risks. Through an analysis of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner’s protest poetry, the research reveals how contemporary Pacific Islanders leverage global platforms to raise awareness and seek redress for these interconnected issues.

Keown, M. (2017). Children of Israel: US Military Imperialism and Marshallese Migration in the Poetry of Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner. Interventions, 19(7), 930–947. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369801x.2017.1403944