The U.S. Tested Atomic Bombs, Then I Got Cancer

The Marshall Islands were colonized by the U.S. after World War II, and then mercilessly bombed to test 67 nuclear weapons. The largest of these detonations was Castle Bravo. Tested in 1954, the force of the Castle Bravo explosion was 1,000 times stronger than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The fallout from the Castle Bravo test fell on multiple atolls in the Marshall Islands, including Rongelap, where Neisen Laukon grew up.

“Babies were born with no shell to the back of the head,” she said, describing the things she saw while growing up when she grew up on Rongelap Atoll. Neisen also saw her cousins die from cancer caused by the nuclear radiation and personally suffers from thyroid nodules. Nearly 70 years after the nuclear testing in the Pacific Proving Grounds, the Marshall Islanders are still dealing with the consequences.

[idib]

I find it extremely rich that the only nation guilty of committing nuclear war crimes is the one imposing sanctions on others for trying to develop nuclear programs.

[kenlim]

America has no right to talk about human rights.

[iw]

I had a high school history teacher briefly touch on the atomic testing in the Pacific, but I did not know it was this bad. The U.S. needs to start confronting what we did wrong in the past so we can move forward. We will keep repeating the same mistakes until then.

[dreamlife]

I am deeply grateful for your excellent historical journalism. As a Pacific Islander, history is white-washed and capitalism is king. We are trying hard to keep our beautiful islands, ….. beautiful. Too much corporate greed and no accountability for water and land damage AFTER NATIVE LIVES ARE USED. Bringing this information to the whole world is important. Again we are grateful for this coverage and that of Hawai’i 🌺

[blueberryhill]

That was so evil how can a nation that claims human rights do this to other humans

[eduardowhiteknight]

There is nothing worse than a prideful American

[Pharaohx]

This is why we must teach the true history of what happen in the world so we can make sure this never happen again.

[SuperKingwood]

I live in Maui and we have a big population of Marshallese here. I feel bad for them as the U.S. continues to move in create chaos. This should be in History classes teaching everyone what had occurred and the effects and damage it has brought us.

[tylerhackner]

The assault on indigenous people is disgusting

[WordasBond]

Thank you for covering this.. it’s rare to see a spotlight on our islands 💗

[AvangionQ]

Why were nuclear weapons tested on The Marshall Islands?
Because those in power didn't care what happened to their territories.
This is our history that's almost never taught in our classrooms.

[chrisp]

When I first saw someone talking about these islands they said that there were no one there. It was deserted islands but they weren't. We were lied to again.

[greenleaf]

The most scary people are the ones who believe they are the good ones while committing the most atrocious acts. Watching this really makes me feel sick.

[eilenekellogg]

I am so ashamed of the USA goverments!

[marceloorellana]

They should ALL have US citizenship and reparations.

[narcissismrehabilitation]

America has such a long history of racism. My god.

[irneseip]

Mrs Sofia is the best, recommending her to all beginners who wants to recover from their losses and gain more like I did through her strategies

[rexscipio]

Man, only God knows all the wicked things the US has done to the indigenous peoples of the World. The last days will not be kind to this country.

[badjiedudu]

I don't know what to say I'm so angry deep inside of me the US government is very evil😥😥

[thastonriklon]

Thanks for the awesome advocacy!!!! It means a lot to get this information out and in conversation. We need more documentation formats like this and go to the surrounding atolls to get more insight on how the ecology was effected. Did the fish in the lagoons mutate? I would like to hear more about the land and sea because no one covers those topics in the whole history of the Marshall Islands. Send the history channel or nature to make a special on Micronesians. Thanks again for the awareness!!!

Kommol Tata