Ray Suarez: Obama, Puerto Rico, and Puerto Ricans – video, politics, the future, 2012 election, statehood…. From: mylatinovoice.com
Tagged: Barack Obama, Puerto Rico, Ray SuarezRead More in English: mylatinovoice.com
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Filed Under: Election 2012, Essentials, Politics
Comments
July 7th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Once again, another opportunity squandered. Why was it that politicians rather than the most respected PR scholars were not given the opportunity to participate in this televised ( 6/28/11 )program when it counted? It was simply a repeat of the same themes, the same “throwing the hands up in the air” ( and not really having anything relevant to say ) attitude as has ALWAYS been expoused by both the interviewer and guests. Pretty damn disgusting. Maybe if you had brought on some scholars whom might have been apt to place the real focus on the issue, would new and or more relevant ground been covered.
There seemed to be a consensus that the “status” question needs to be resolved. Duhh. But, no one bothered to talk about what has happened during that 113 yr ( forced ) relationship, that has led to where things are in 2011 on the island. No one talks about how the U.S. took over a nation of people whom had been working very hard over a period of decades to liberate themselves from Spain, to become an independent and sovereign nation. The U.S. was well aware of this, but denied it to the people that had been striving to create their own democracy and to control their destiny, just as the U.S. does theirs. So why did the U.S. deny to PR what it professes worldwide to what it’s own values dictate? Because the U.S. indeed placed on the island what amounted to a military dictatorship for decades after the invasion. This implemented under the guise that island PR’s were heathens and required “tutelage”. Tutelage to the very people whom through their valiant, deliberate, educated and persistent manner achieved what the U.S. did when they were 13 colonies. I guess the island PR’s all of the sudden became “stupid” after the 1898 invasion. They became stupid because the U.S. had other plans for them ( a ton of strategic military bases/unbridled corporate exploitation of its citizenry ), that they weren’t letting on to. And, I’ll bet the U.S made sure that most island PR’s were not given a similar fair shake to the population when it came to educational opportunities. Say, like in Sacramento, Denver, or Seattle. And, nothing’s really changed. You people are fooling your selves for even thinking otherwise. It’s so obvious.
Another major point that bugged me ( besides the aforementioned ) was that the panel agreed that the people of the island are “educated.” But, they aren’t. Not by U.S. standards. Ok. If they’ve been so educated why is it that they’re in the same situation that they’ve found themselves since 1898? Anyone can tell you, most of the islanders wanted independence during that time. So why did that sentiment change over time? It’s called oppression and instilling fear in the people of a tiny island nation, that a superpower could wield its force down on them at any given moment. Over time, ( generations in this case ) that takes its toll on your ( a nations ) mind, regardless of how “educated” they are. Self-esteem and education are two entirely different concerns. But, the two equate with hearts and minds. When the U.S. forcibly takes your land, implements segregation between Puerto Ricans ( on what used to be their own f—-ing land ) and North Americans, and involuntarily sterilizes as many child bearing women as it can, up through the 1970′s…. What message do you think is being conveyed from the U.S. to the PR’s over time? That the U.S. loves them? What happened to the native American in this country? Do you think that these kinds of repressive acts just disappear from memory? The FBI/CIA are all over the island. Why do you think that is? I don’t think their primary mission is to protect the PR peoples interests…. Now, you’ve got a tertiary exodus from the island… the so called “brain trust.” If that’s so, then that’s going to make the PR status issue much more difficult to resolve. It’s essentially playing even more into the corporations/congress’ hands. But, no one cares to see/deal w/that elephant.
The independence minded guy, was something…How can he postulate that ALL PR’s from ALL over the world have a say in its so-called final destination? Dude, you’re making us PR’s look bad. One has to live in that district, state, or even colony in this instance, for a period of time and be there for the vote. Ridiculous. I’m for independence, but you, Mr., should not be leading the discussion.
For some others that have commented in favoring an enhanced colonial status… I’m speechless. You want to have it both ways. I think that type of thinking is reflective of the damage that has been wrought upon a nation’s psyche over a 100yrs. It’s ridiculous. But, the U.S. Congress loves that kind of thinking.
The only manner in which this issue will be resolved by the island PR people, is by taking a stand ( whether for independence/statehood ). Regardless of what the U.S. has to say about it. They ( the PR’s ) have to force the issue. Hey, the U.S. did it on them. For a hundred plus years, and counting. The manner in which the rules are laid out; it’s check-mate for the island PR’s. The game’s rigged by the congress. ( How long did it take for the 13 colonies to get fed up with England’s B.S.? ) And, then, let the world court decide. Not the congress. The congress broke it (a good thing in the making ) 113yrs ago, and they have never shown any signs of wanting to fix it in an appropriate manner. PR is never part of the discussion on the mainland by non-PR’s because the U.S. educational system does NOT want to teach them about it in any significant manner. For very selfish and self serving reasons. That’s part of the reason you’ve got just a handful of hits on any of the video tapes made of the 6/28 discussion. It’s THE reason why the status issue hasn’t been resolved. Had the U.S. public been made aware of what the essential history between the U.S and PR was and is, the outrage would have put the issue front and center long ago. It’s really tragic.
All of you panelists ( inc. the moderator: Suarez ) “skipped” over everything that needed to be discussed ( and that requires resolution ) prior to talking about the status issue. Are you afraid of offending someone if you do? If so, then you’re not my kind of PR.