In my examination of the Puerto Rican state of affairs regarding it's relationship to the United States, I purposely left out my assessment of the situation. The reason I did this was to first immerse my readers into the history and culture of Puerto Rico. Further explaining the complicated relationship that exists between our tiny island and our great nation.
I must first start by explaining that I am an island born Puerto Rican, of Puerto Rican parents, raised and living in the Continental United States. Most people would not understand my need in stating this. Let me explain.
First of all, not all people who claim to be Puerto Ricans are truly Puerto Rican. Being Puerto Rican to some of these lovingly adopted people means having been born off the island but having Puerto Rican parents or at least one Puerto Rican parent. To others, they migrated to Puerto Rico at an early age, and were raised in Puerto Rico all their lives. Yet others, are of a totally different nationality, in another country, but were raised by a Puerto Rican. They all have been influenced by our culture, beliefs, customs, food, music and the love and pride we feel in being Puerto Rican. And we, Puerto Ricans, lovingly embrace them into the family.
Now, what how does my current status as a "Continental" Puerto Rican have anything to do with anything? Indulge me.
Having been raised in New York City since the age of 5, mostly in Spanish Harlem, I never lost my Puerto Rican roots. Why? Because there are more Puerto Ricans in New York than there could ever fit in Puerto Rico! And because of that, I was exposed to all the influences of my culture. I was also lucky enough to travel most Christmas' back to the island with my parents. Being the only daughter of my father guaranteed that I would not be left behind.
Traveling back to the island and experiencing first hand the sounds, landscapes and family left behind, gave me a perspective that my compatriots might not have. I never lost touch. I never forgot. I never moved on. I always hoped to make a difference for my homeland. I feel the time has come.
It's a funny thing being a Puerto Rican who does not reside in Puerto Rico. Here, in the U.S., other than in South Florida, or the many vastly spread Hispanic communities, the rest of the country is mostly ignorant of the fact that Puerto Rico is an American held Colony. That Puerto Ricans are American Citizens. Or that, if I was to resident in Puerto Rico, in spite of being an American Citizen, I would not be able to vote for President.
To Puerto Ricans living on the island, I am not seen as a native. I am seen with suspicion and distrust. "What does this American want?", is what I see in their eyes and mannerisms. This is what I encountered when requesting information on my family history from my own family members.
And the question of Statehood or Independence? You best be careful where and when you bring up the subject. First thing that is thrown in your face is, "You don't live here." But guess what. I am very much vested in what status my beloved island happens to be. I want the option of perhaps one day living on the island and not losing my voting rights. Or becoming a second class citizen, because the U.S. Constitution does not fully protect me as an island resident. Or to have my future Social Security Retirement check diminished by 85% simply because I changed my zip code to one in Puerto Rico. Or of losing my American Citizenship, because my fellow islanders decide to become Independent.
For all of the above reasons and many more, I advocate that Puerto Ricans everywhere, and believe me, we are everywhere, have the right to decide what happens in Puerto Rico. I happen to believe that it is in Puerto Rico's best interest to become an American State. Our 51st State.
Most islanders have been convinced that the status of "Commonwealth", which is Puerto Rico's current status, is the lesser of two evils. That with this status, they are exempt from paying taxes and having English imposed as the only language spoken; while still benefiting from the federal programs, manufactured goods and monetary funds that emanate from the Mainland.
In actuality, island resident Puerto Ricans pay more taxes than they are willing to admit. Yes, its true, they do not pay "property taxes", but they do overpay taxes on everything they consume. Everything is imported to the island. Nothing there is produced locally. Therefore, every single item is taxed twice. One of these taxes is the tariff paid to ship the item from the Mainland to Puerto Rico. The other, is the sales tax placed on the item once it is sold to the consumer.
In Puerto Rico, English is taught, alongside Spanish, from elementary school until high school. But if anyone aspires to have a higher education, then you best pay attention to your English lessons. All educational institutions of higher learning, i.e., Universities, Medical Schools, are taught in English only.
Most Puerto Ricans don't realize that 4 billion dollars more would be allocated to the island as a State of the Union than it is today as a commonwealth.
The only thing this "Commonwealth" status has accomplished is to deny us the right to govern ourselves. Puerto Rico, as a commonwealth, does not have any representation in Congress, the Senate or the House of Representatives. This Puerto Rican commonwealth is governed by laws, that they themselves are not allowed to participate in creating. As a commonwealth, it is not allowed to vote for President.
Since, 1917, Puerto Ricans are subject to a mandatory draft. Think of the irony of being sent to war by a President that you did not elect.
This post is meant as an attachment to my three previous writings on Puerto Rico. It is my sentiment and reflection on the sad state of affairs that has come out the politicking and lack of value placed on one of the last Colonies which exists in modern times. I invite an open discussion on this subject. Let's close this border once and for all. We are tired of being treated like the "red headed step child." Make me proud to be an American no matter where I am.
*For a great blog on Puerto Rico's Best Athletes visit Scott Morganroth's Sports Blog: www.motorcitymadmouthinsights.blogspot.com or www.scottsports33@aol.com.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
God Has a Wicked Sense of Humor!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love God, I respect God, I fear God!! But come to think of it, I have come to the conclusion that He has a wicked sense of humor!!!
Women are gifted with many good attributes. Physically pleasing. Soft spoken (except Caribbean women). Extremely intelligent. Outrageously resourceful. But what does God decide to do, just to keep the playing field interesting? He decides to give the male the penis!!! Think about it ladies. What would men be without the penis? Nothing!!! That's what. But then, poor dears, if we also had that, what a one sided world this would be?
Oh, wait, that's not the half of it. Not only are we forced to keep them around, for obvious reasons, but to add salt to the wound, women blossom into their sexual peak in their mid forties. Men? Men go down hill after their twenties. Unfair, isn't it? Just when we figure out what to do with ourselves, men start looking at the younger, unattained specimens.
If you ever wonder why men are so driven to make their fortunes and make their marks in life, I just gave you the answer. They need that money and charisma to attract that young female. Sad but true. Because if they really thought with their brain, they would come to the conclusion that finding a mate closer to their age, intelligence and similar tastes would, in the long run, be more beneficial to a long lasting mutually satisfying relationship.
In all this, I blame God. (Don't worry, me and God are cool, I won't be struck by lightning, right, God, hello, you there?!) :) He, in His infinite wisdom, wanted to see how females would overcome such a dilemma. Such a conundrum.
One temporary solution, is the Cougar mentality. Women who are willing to pass their wisdom and patience to younger, more virile men. Men who are willing to experience the sensual, intellectual, spiritual side of lovemaking. And in finding these men, these older, wiser women find a more physically compatible partner. This Cougar relationship flourishes until the younger man reaches a plateau of comprehension, of self awareness, which he then wishes to bestow on a subject of his own. The thorn in every older woman's side, the younger, unattained specimen.
If you have gotten this far on my blog, you are probably waiting for my solution to this problem, right? Well, if this has been going on since the beginning of time, what on earth makes you think I can come up with a solution? I can't. I can only advocate self love.
Ladies, love and respect yourselves first. It's amazing the admiration one can acquire when people see those qualities in you. This is pertinent, regardless of what stage of life you happen to be in or your economic status. Don't ever let these two facts of life define who you are. We have to live and strive with the cards that we are dealt. And the ultimate poker player is the Big Guy above. And boy, can He be a wicked character sometimes!
Women are gifted with many good attributes. Physically pleasing. Soft spoken (except Caribbean women). Extremely intelligent. Outrageously resourceful. But what does God decide to do, just to keep the playing field interesting? He decides to give the male the penis!!! Think about it ladies. What would men be without the penis? Nothing!!! That's what. But then, poor dears, if we also had that, what a one sided world this would be?
Oh, wait, that's not the half of it. Not only are we forced to keep them around, for obvious reasons, but to add salt to the wound, women blossom into their sexual peak in their mid forties. Men? Men go down hill after their twenties. Unfair, isn't it? Just when we figure out what to do with ourselves, men start looking at the younger, unattained specimens.
If you ever wonder why men are so driven to make their fortunes and make their marks in life, I just gave you the answer. They need that money and charisma to attract that young female. Sad but true. Because if they really thought with their brain, they would come to the conclusion that finding a mate closer to their age, intelligence and similar tastes would, in the long run, be more beneficial to a long lasting mutually satisfying relationship.
In all this, I blame God. (Don't worry, me and God are cool, I won't be struck by lightning, right, God, hello, you there?!) :) He, in His infinite wisdom, wanted to see how females would overcome such a dilemma. Such a conundrum.
One temporary solution, is the Cougar mentality. Women who are willing to pass their wisdom and patience to younger, more virile men. Men who are willing to experience the sensual, intellectual, spiritual side of lovemaking. And in finding these men, these older, wiser women find a more physically compatible partner. This Cougar relationship flourishes until the younger man reaches a plateau of comprehension, of self awareness, which he then wishes to bestow on a subject of his own. The thorn in every older woman's side, the younger, unattained specimen.
If you have gotten this far on my blog, you are probably waiting for my solution to this problem, right? Well, if this has been going on since the beginning of time, what on earth makes you think I can come up with a solution? I can't. I can only advocate self love.
Ladies, love and respect yourselves first. It's amazing the admiration one can acquire when people see those qualities in you. This is pertinent, regardless of what stage of life you happen to be in or your economic status. Don't ever let these two facts of life define who you are. We have to live and strive with the cards that we are dealt. And the ultimate poker player is the Big Guy above. And boy, can He be a wicked character sometimes!
Monday, May 16, 2011
The Pursuit of Happiness
The United States Declaration of Independence has one of the most famous and influential phrases in the English language which is: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
I must remind my readers what our founding fathers where attempting to accomplish in the creation of the democratic government that was to exist in our future country, the United States of America.
For nearly 300 years the colonies had been under the domination of England and the many Kings that ascended the English throne from the 1600's, Virginia, Jamestown Colony, until the late 18th century. The contemporary King during Revolutionary times was George III (The Mad King).
Many great men risked their lives by signing the Declaration of Independence, if the American Revolution had failed, their own signature would have condemned them to death. Mind you, I can not list all these great men, my deciphering skills have failed me. Yet, among the signatures I was able to read were; John Hancock, Jim Hooper, Joseph Herves, John Penn, John Adams, Sam Adams, Robert Paine, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted primarily by Jefferson, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The text of the second section of the Declaration of Independence reads:
I must remind my readers what our founding fathers where attempting to accomplish in the creation of the democratic government that was to exist in our future country, the United States of America.
For nearly 300 years the colonies had been under the domination of England and the many Kings that ascended the English throne from the 1600's, Virginia, Jamestown Colony, until the late 18th century. The contemporary King during Revolutionary times was George III (The Mad King).
Many great men risked their lives by signing the Declaration of Independence, if the American Revolution had failed, their own signature would have condemned them to death. Mind you, I can not list all these great men, my deciphering skills have failed me. Yet, among the signatures I was able to read were; John Hancock, Jim Hooper, Joseph Herves, John Penn, John Adams, Sam Adams, Robert Paine, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted primarily by Jefferson, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The text of the second section of the Declaration of Independence reads:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness."
I have often wondered why Jefferson would include the very specific, yet very broadly interpreted phrase "pursuit of Happiness" in his draft of the Declaration of Independence. Happiness is such a personal subject matter. Can it ever be generalize, interjected and applied to the masses? Perhaps not. Maybe that was the point, after all. Perhaps, we are all suppose to figure out for ourselves what our own individualized happiness is suppose to be. Perhaps, the enlighten men of that era considered this country's future citizenry and envisioned us spending our lives pursuing and achieving that happiness without government interference. And in that pursuit, become a self-reliant, self-defining creature; the self-made individual. A person not dependent on an authoritative figure head nor body of government to establish who they are, but a person that is fully capable of thinking and acting on his own beliefs and merits.
We may never know, Jefferson did not leave any clear evidence of why he used such a phrase. We have some evidence that other writers at the time were expressing thoughts in that general direction, such as, some great thinkers like; John Locke, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, William Wollaston, Jean Jacques Burlamaqui and George Mason. But with all their brilliant writings, nothing specific was written to declare the "pursuit of Happiness" as an "unalienable", "sovereign", or "natural" right of man.
I tend to believe that Jefferson's reasoning might come from his public struggles in a society where he had to live as a slave holding plantation owner; while living a private life as a common-law husband to his slave woman Sally Hemings, with whom he had six children. Jefferson's pursuit of happiness forced him to live two very different, separate lives. And there is ample evidence of his attempts to emancipate the slave population within the constrains of his society. This might have been the life source which drove him to insert such a life altering, influential phrase into perhaps the most popularly recognized document in early revolutionary period Americana.
We may never know, Jefferson did not leave any clear evidence of why he used such a phrase. We have some evidence that other writers at the time were expressing thoughts in that general direction, such as, some great thinkers like; John Locke, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, William Wollaston, Jean Jacques Burlamaqui and George Mason. But with all their brilliant writings, nothing specific was written to declare the "pursuit of Happiness" as an "unalienable", "sovereign", or "natural" right of man.
I tend to believe that Jefferson's reasoning might come from his public struggles in a society where he had to live as a slave holding plantation owner; while living a private life as a common-law husband to his slave woman Sally Hemings, with whom he had six children. Jefferson's pursuit of happiness forced him to live two very different, separate lives. And there is ample evidence of his attempts to emancipate the slave population within the constrains of his society. This might have been the life source which drove him to insert such a life altering, influential phrase into perhaps the most popularly recognized document in early revolutionary period Americana.
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