The November elections have people buzzing with ideas of change. For the first time in 8 years Americans will have the opportunity to change the face of their country. However, the US is not the only country excited about change, Puerto Rico is also talking change.
Puerto Rico is an interesting place to be at the moment. Their governor just turned himself in to the Feds last week for 19 counts of violating federal election laws (He is also a super-delegate who has endorsed Obama). Second, the Puerto Ricans will have the chance to vote in the democratic primaries in June for the first time since 1988, where 63 delegates will be up for grabs. Senators Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton have already started to run their mouths on how they would resolve the Puerto Rico status issue.
Obama has stated that he believes the decision should be left up to the Puerto Ricans, and he will respect whatever decision they make, including statehood. Pedro Pierluisi, the candidate for vice-governor of the pro-statehood party, has endorsed Obama. Pierluisi is confident about converting PR into the 51st state as he told the newspaper El Nuevo Día "Obama has made it very black and white, if Puerto Rico decides the path to statehood, like I am sure it will, Obama will support the decision of the people."
Clinton, too has tried to appeal to Puerto Rican voters. She recently told the newspaper, El Vocero, that if president she will make it a priority from day one to resolve Puerto Rico's controversial situation.
I hope that they are both telling the truth and not just playing politics and blowing smoke up our asses. Puerto Rico is in desperate need of a change. The situation on the island is far from good. Over recent years unemployment has surged, the wages remain low, and the confidence of the people is being depleted. A Newyorican (Puerto Rican born/raised in New York) asked me how I liked PR and I said it was a beautiful place and that I liked it and he replied in a snappy tone "Yeah you sound like a tourist, the situation is bad here. Worst it has been in years." For example Americorps (my full-time volunteer position) is viewed more as a job rather than a phase, stage, or step in one's life as it would be for most college graduates who decide to live off food stamps and do a self-less activity for a year or so. Puerto Ricans do it because there is a steady check of $790 a month, which gets you basically nowhere.
To resolve the issue once and for all I think the pueblo (the people) should have two options: independence or statehood. PR has voted for statehood on four occasions, and each time has chosen the comfortable commonwealth status. Take it one step further and make it black or white, statehood or independence, then we will see what PR chooses.
Although in my last blog I mentioned that I do like aspects of it's commonwealth position, it is also entirely too ambiguous. Realistically, how long can people be satisfied being a colony? Can a country stay united and satisfied when the two of the three political parties seek a drastic change for their people?
The current situation, supported by the Partido Popular Democrático, is like a group of people invited to a party who go and enjoy all the booze and tasty h'orderves but bring nothing to contribute, and stay isolated in a corner. They like all the benefits of being associated with the US; the dollar, citizenship ect. but they choose not to be a state; basically out of pride. All the commonwealth does is offer comfort, because they don't have to completely "sell out" to the American empire while getting to hold on to all that is Puerto Rico. The Puerto Ricans have a true identity crisis. Staying a commonwealth they remain second class American citizens, mostly forgotten by the American population.
Sometimes I feel if the Americans knew how much tax money is poured into PR combined with the large number of Puerto Ricans who do not wish to be a part of the states, Americans would say "pues, vete,'' or "then go." Still I remain torn on my opinion on it's status as I discovered only six presidents have visited the island while in office. Why would any Puerto Rican be convinced that it is better to be state when in 110 years of American rule a measly 6 presidents have visited? Americans show little or no interest in the island.
The ex-mayor of San Juan recently told El Nuevo Dia that for the governor to turn himself into the Feds demonstrates the "painful reality" of PR's colonial status. He added that "For the governor to turn himself in to the Federal Government demonstrates that he is obligated to recognize that Washington controls PR," and finished off by saying "this just killed the experimental colony called the 'commonwealth.'"
This pseudo state mode has had it's run. The time has come to decide. Obama and Clinton have made it known that they are willing to help resolve the islands status. Let us hope that they are not being a typical empty-promise politician and make a real effort to fix this problem. We know we can't count on McCain because he has not been pulled into this mess.
Again, thanks for reading.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Puerto Rico the Hybrid state
When I first arrived in Puerto Rico a short 7 months ago, I was excited to get to know a new country, or should I say territory or commonwealth. I had never thought about Puerto Rico before I decided to take the Americorps position.
Before I came I did some research on the country to know what I was getting myself into. I actually shaped my senior thesis around Puerto Rico's island of Vieques and how the United States Military used it as a bombing ground to practice war time activities. What I studied about Vieques would be the foundation of how I came to view this confused island as a foreigner.
The island of Vieques, as well as Culebra, are two small islands of the eastern coast of the island. The US Navy had previously used, as practice grounds for war time activities. Meaning they would bomb the shit out the islands in order to prepare for such historic events as the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, WWII, the list goes on. The United States abused this island, killed its economy, and forced its inhabitants to to move from their homes as the US occupied 2/3 of the island of Vieques.
Although this may sound terrible, Puerto Rico has also seen many advantages from being a part of the US. For example, before US intervention there was no institution of higher education, no university! The Spanish were ruthless bastards, who controlled the island with an iron fist. The Spanish government actually began to grant PR some autonomy in the late 1800's but the US and Spain went to war and PR's newly found autonomy was quickly snatched up and placed under the eye of US control. For those who don't know, the Spanish and Americans went to war in 1898 after the Spanish supposedly sank the US Maine outside of Cuba, and the Americans declared war. With the Spanish American War of 1898 the US received the countrys of PR, American Samoa / Guam, the Philippines, as well as a military occupation of Cuba. After the Spanish/American war the United States and its territories stretched from the far Pacific to Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.
Flash forward to modern day Puerto Rico, what do you have? A commonwealth. A semi autonomous territory that controls its domestic issues but has no input on international affairs, neither a vote in the United States congress. Puerto Rico has a delegate in congress, who represents the country, can give his opinion, but does not vote. That person is basically there to give his 2 cents and hope that someone takes notice.
However the relationship with the United States is sooooooo strong. Two of the three political parties support a relationship with the United States. The Partido Popular Democrático (PPD) supports the commonwealth status, does not want to be a state but wants to be associated with US. Afterall, PR is highly funded by American tax dollars. Then you have the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP). The PNP supports statehood, wanting to make PR the 51st state of the union and complicate the design of the American flag (Seriously, where would that extra star go? It would look entirely out of place!) You can see the PNPs proudly waving the American flag everywhere you go. During the Puerto Rican primaries you see caravans of Puerto Ricans proudly waving the American flag. And finally you have the Independentistas, those who support an independent Puerto Rico. Go to any public university here and you can find these independentistas who think PR should be free. The independentista movement would be a drastic blow to Puerto Rico.
The unemployment rate is already 12%, higher than any other state, and the average Puerto Rican makes about $12,000 or so which is severely lower than any other state. My fear is, what would PR do without US help. Ethnocentric as I may be speaking, take a look around Latin America, where do you see a thriving economy? They really don't exist. It seems like every country is plagued with unemployment and a weak currency. I speak Spanish and this gives me another perspective on the world, because I can understand how other people view the world, and I have been trying to figure out what I think of this confused island. I try to listen to other peoples opinions and I have friends from all parties, PPD, PNP and Independent (PIP)
I am torn on my political beliefs and the "right" future for PR. I am somewhere between PPD and PNP. Puerto Rico IS a different country. Although there are many aspects that mirror a US state (Such as there is money [they use the US dollar] affluent people, as well it is very modern, developed country). I think it would be better if it were a US state, because at least it would have a vote, the people could vote in presidential elections and have an opinion in the direction of their country. It is also important to inform you that PR would have a population greater than 26 or so other states, giving it more seats in the House, as well as more electoral votes in the electoral college than half of the 50 states, but this is another issue. But what I fear is if it were a state, is that it would lose its great feel. The Hybrid that it is. The hybrid that is molded from a Latin American/Caribbean culture, with the United States. A true encuentro de los dos mundos, a meeting of two worlds. The Puerto Ricans are a proud people, full of life, and loving. Even though the money may not be as abundant as it is in a US state, the people are happy and loving. They love their salsa, and are very welcoming. Almost everywhere I go, I am greeted by a handshake by a man or a kiss on the cheek by a woman. And if I have a question in a store a woman may tell me "Digame amor" or "Diga me joven" Tell me my love, or tell me young person (but not a direct translation to young person).
I also like the relax on the law that there is here. For example, I can stop in any gas station pick up a Medalla light (the local beer), bring it to my car and cruise away. It is illegal to have an open bottle just like in the states, but it is not as strictly enforced. I see people do it ALL the time. However, I do not advocate drinking and driving, but I just use this as an example. The laws are not as strictly enforced here, neither is the negative social conotation of alcohol and drugs (Don't worry, I am not sticking needles into my arm...yet). E.G. in the United States if you drink twice weekly, get drunk on the weekends, you have someone to tell you that you're an alcoholic, an addict ect. FUCK THAT, go to any country in Europe, Latin America and you'll see people getting fucked up just like they do in the states, if not more. But you don't have someone making you feel guilty for what you did.
I enjoy the differences that Puerto Rico has, I also enjoy the similarities. PR is a hybrid, like I said before. An almost, yet not quite, and so far from being a US state. I don't want Puerto Rico to lose what it has, its language, or culture because, because they truly define the island. I fear that assimilation into the US would kill all that Puerto Rico has to offer. For this reason I remain torn between statehood and commonwealth status.
I will continue this blog and write other stories on PR. Everyone get ready to know PR a little better, as you should, the Puerto Ricans are Americans (granted US citizenship in 1917 by the Jones Act) and deserve our attention. FYI, in June PR will hold their democratic primary, in which 63 delegates will be up for grabs and PR will have a say in who becomes the democratic primary - Está cabrón! (Fucking crazy!)
Go in peace serve the lord (peace be to god). haha, not really, you can if you want, but thanks for reading.
Before I came I did some research on the country to know what I was getting myself into. I actually shaped my senior thesis around Puerto Rico's island of Vieques and how the United States Military used it as a bombing ground to practice war time activities. What I studied about Vieques would be the foundation of how I came to view this confused island as a foreigner.
The island of Vieques, as well as Culebra, are two small islands of the eastern coast of the island. The US Navy had previously used, as practice grounds for war time activities. Meaning they would bomb the shit out the islands in order to prepare for such historic events as the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, WWII, the list goes on. The United States abused this island, killed its economy, and forced its inhabitants to to move from their homes as the US occupied 2/3 of the island of Vieques.
Although this may sound terrible, Puerto Rico has also seen many advantages from being a part of the US. For example, before US intervention there was no institution of higher education, no university! The Spanish were ruthless bastards, who controlled the island with an iron fist. The Spanish government actually began to grant PR some autonomy in the late 1800's but the US and Spain went to war and PR's newly found autonomy was quickly snatched up and placed under the eye of US control. For those who don't know, the Spanish and Americans went to war in 1898 after the Spanish supposedly sank the US Maine outside of Cuba, and the Americans declared war. With the Spanish American War of 1898 the US received the countrys of PR, American Samoa / Guam, the Philippines, as well as a military occupation of Cuba. After the Spanish/American war the United States and its territories stretched from the far Pacific to Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.
Flash forward to modern day Puerto Rico, what do you have? A commonwealth. A semi autonomous territory that controls its domestic issues but has no input on international affairs, neither a vote in the United States congress. Puerto Rico has a delegate in congress, who represents the country, can give his opinion, but does not vote. That person is basically there to give his 2 cents and hope that someone takes notice.
However the relationship with the United States is sooooooo strong. Two of the three political parties support a relationship with the United States. The Partido Popular Democrático (PPD) supports the commonwealth status, does not want to be a state but wants to be associated with US. Afterall, PR is highly funded by American tax dollars. Then you have the Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP). The PNP supports statehood, wanting to make PR the 51st state of the union and complicate the design of the American flag (Seriously, where would that extra star go? It would look entirely out of place!) You can see the PNPs proudly waving the American flag everywhere you go. During the Puerto Rican primaries you see caravans of Puerto Ricans proudly waving the American flag. And finally you have the Independentistas, those who support an independent Puerto Rico. Go to any public university here and you can find these independentistas who think PR should be free. The independentista movement would be a drastic blow to Puerto Rico.
The unemployment rate is already 12%, higher than any other state, and the average Puerto Rican makes about $12,000 or so which is severely lower than any other state. My fear is, what would PR do without US help. Ethnocentric as I may be speaking, take a look around Latin America, where do you see a thriving economy? They really don't exist. It seems like every country is plagued with unemployment and a weak currency. I speak Spanish and this gives me another perspective on the world, because I can understand how other people view the world, and I have been trying to figure out what I think of this confused island. I try to listen to other peoples opinions and I have friends from all parties, PPD, PNP and Independent (PIP)
I am torn on my political beliefs and the "right" future for PR. I am somewhere between PPD and PNP. Puerto Rico IS a different country. Although there are many aspects that mirror a US state (Such as there is money [they use the US dollar] affluent people, as well it is very modern, developed country). I think it would be better if it were a US state, because at least it would have a vote, the people could vote in presidential elections and have an opinion in the direction of their country. It is also important to inform you that PR would have a population greater than 26 or so other states, giving it more seats in the House, as well as more electoral votes in the electoral college than half of the 50 states, but this is another issue. But what I fear is if it were a state, is that it would lose its great feel. The Hybrid that it is. The hybrid that is molded from a Latin American/Caribbean culture, with the United States. A true encuentro de los dos mundos, a meeting of two worlds. The Puerto Ricans are a proud people, full of life, and loving. Even though the money may not be as abundant as it is in a US state, the people are happy and loving. They love their salsa, and are very welcoming. Almost everywhere I go, I am greeted by a handshake by a man or a kiss on the cheek by a woman. And if I have a question in a store a woman may tell me "Digame amor" or "Diga me joven" Tell me my love, or tell me young person (but not a direct translation to young person).
I also like the relax on the law that there is here. For example, I can stop in any gas station pick up a Medalla light (the local beer), bring it to my car and cruise away. It is illegal to have an open bottle just like in the states, but it is not as strictly enforced. I see people do it ALL the time. However, I do not advocate drinking and driving, but I just use this as an example. The laws are not as strictly enforced here, neither is the negative social conotation of alcohol and drugs (Don't worry, I am not sticking needles into my arm...yet). E.G. in the United States if you drink twice weekly, get drunk on the weekends, you have someone to tell you that you're an alcoholic, an addict ect. FUCK THAT, go to any country in Europe, Latin America and you'll see people getting fucked up just like they do in the states, if not more. But you don't have someone making you feel guilty for what you did.
I enjoy the differences that Puerto Rico has, I also enjoy the similarities. PR is a hybrid, like I said before. An almost, yet not quite, and so far from being a US state. I don't want Puerto Rico to lose what it has, its language, or culture because, because they truly define the island. I fear that assimilation into the US would kill all that Puerto Rico has to offer. For this reason I remain torn between statehood and commonwealth status.
I will continue this blog and write other stories on PR. Everyone get ready to know PR a little better, as you should, the Puerto Ricans are Americans (granted US citizenship in 1917 by the Jones Act) and deserve our attention. FYI, in June PR will hold their democratic primary, in which 63 delegates will be up for grabs and PR will have a say in who becomes the democratic primary - Está cabrón! (Fucking crazy!)
Go in peace serve the lord (peace be to god). haha, not really, you can if you want, but thanks for reading.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
