Why don’t you even mention in your piece about Puerto Rico that over 97% of us Puerto Ricans reject independence and have consistently voted against “independentista” parties and their reactionary proposals for over 50 years? Are you aware that the Puerto Rican independence faction grew out of a crypto-fascist movement from the 1920? Shouldn’t “Latino” organizations have some respect for the self-determination of Puerto Ricans who have overwhelmingly stated that they don’t want to become another neo-colonial Caribbean republic and overwhelmingly want to remain U.S. citizens? Is such a clear statement in rejection of independence so difficult to understand?

I believe that with regard to Puerto Rico so-called “Latino” organizations should take a position akin to the one of the piece found in the following link: http://www.drclas.harvard.edu/revista/articles/view/1062

Roberto

The time for Puerto Rico to be INDEPENDENT is right now. I am so very tired of all the lies and nonsense of this being a free- associate state. Pure bull, why isn’t Guam, st. thomas, st. crox the Samoians Islands and all the other colonies of the u.s. called free associated states. Enough with the bull now and let us determine our own lives and destiny.

No esparate, when I say the referendums are glorified opinion polls, all power to those that want to use them, pero you cannot deny the fact that the way the colony is set up, the only one with the power to change the status of the island is the U.S Congress. So this is not that I do not want all the voices heard, pero voting in a process that has no political power doesn’t equate voice to me. Sorry. Let all the sides call for what they want pero you can’t say that my point of view is invalid because it stands in opposition to yours. If statehood happens through a process that really reflects the desires of the grassroots, then que asi sea, pero to claim, as the link you posted before does, that joining an imperial nation somehow is subversive or radical is coopting the language of people who have laid down their lives and gone to prison for Puerto Rico. That is offensive

Why hasn’t congress acted as it did with Alaska or Hawaii, conducting statehood yes or no referendum, and acting upon the result? Simple, USA doesn’t want statehood for Puerto Rico. Be it for financial, ethnical, linguistic, or cultural reasons; they simply don’t want us. They know the colonial status reaps huge benefits without socio-political commitments.

Lets not confuse political affiliations with our nationalistic sentiments. The Independence Party in no way represents the interests of the independence movement, but rather that of the other political parties, the embezzling of our treasury, panzismo, leeches.

Ah pues right away you have drawn the line in the sand as far as I am concerned and I doubt that you and I will ever agree on anything except to agree to disagree. I do not view the Puerto Rican political prisoners now or of the past of terrorists. In fact terrorism is a word I generally do not use because it is an extremely loaded word with little analysis of power and tends to be used by those with power to deny the agency of others.

The move towards self-determination does not relieve the U.S of responsibility. That isn’t radical. That’s stupid. The current colonial state of the island took over 100 years to get to, who knows how long it will take to undo. And no, I am not so naive to think that just because a country has independence, that that means it is free from colonial interest. In many ways I am an idealist pero tampoco soy pendeja so cut that tone that implies that I am.

Ay I guess all my friends and family on the island are lunatics then.

I forgot to mention when, I asked pro state/quo to elaborate on Government assistance I follow with the question what type of goverment assistance, 90% said Welfare. My documentary will change how Puerto Ricans view themselves I guarantee that.

I dont think that article was meant to be anti-Independence(Survey), I will agree that a difference can be made if Puerto Ricans as a whole society would made aware of the actual pros and cons of statehood and status quo versus one of Pro-Independence. I myself have started my own projects to be aim at 2012 which is the next elections to informed the average Puerto Rican the importance of becoming a independent country.

I Reside in NYC, and born In Puerto Rico, and i can make a good case that Puerto Rico becoming a state has a greater chance to fail then that of Independence, and I can make that case based on experience I had with the “Average American”.

I also feel that those who has voted status quo, and statehood are in fear of changes and of course contention plays a role. Is the mind set of ” I might not be rich, but I am not poor neither”. I once spoke with a fellow Puerto Rican who is his 50′s and left Puerto Rico due to things getting worst. While having this conversation with this individual, he said something that struck me in which can go with the comment above, “Things are bad in Puerto Rico, but I wouldn’t change anything in Puerto Rico”. That comment enough is self explanatory.

I often ask those who support statehood or commonwealth, most of them have the same answer, and welfare is often mention.

VozLatino:

You said: “My documentary will change how Puerto Ricans view themselves I guarantee that.” Please! Isn’t this a little bit pretentious and condescending? You not only assume that you have a unique ability but you also assume (incorrectly) that Puerto Ricans haven’t been exposed for centuries to all kinds of theories and arguments about their political status. I also believe that your prediction is based on the endorsement of the discredited notion that Puerto Ricans are so ignorant and dumb that their political expressions do not correspond to their real desires. Of course, someone that thinks so highly of Puerto Ricans is likely to change the way they think about themselves! Good luck with that! I believe your confidence reveals the very reason why your prediction will turn out to be wrong.

Robert:

Allegedly that guy who moved to the U.S. said “Things are bad in Puerto Rico, but I wouldn’t change anything in Puerto Rico” and you add that “That comment enough is self explanatory.” What seems to be self-explanatory is that the guy felt compelled to MOVE OUT of Puerto Rico to a place where he could be a FULL American citizen, and thus enjoy the rights that are denied to U.S citizens from Puerto Rico. The assertion that he would change nothing about Puerto Rico (and I don’t know whether he meant it as a matter of politics or as a matter of cultural life) has very little weight coming from someone who has decided not to live here anymore but wants to keep Puerto Rico untouched in order to allow him to think of the archipelago as the idealized main character of a wet dream. No thank you!

Just as I believe VozLatino’s prediction won’t come true, I can guarantee you that your project “to informed the average Puerto Rican the importance of becoming a independent country” will fail. First of all, when it comes to the alleged benefits of independence the “average Puerto Rican” has heard it all. The debate on Puerto Rican independence has resulted in a constant demise of the pro-independence faction (currently support for independence is at an all time low). Second, given the realities of political life in the archipelago, Puerto Ricans (God bless them) are most skeptical about residents of the U.S. who try to “educate” them about the “virtues” of Caribbean island-“republics” while they themselves continue to live in the U.S. Even pro-independence rock band Fiel a la Vega mocked this behavior when several years ago said in one of its songs: “quisiera ser un indealista habanero con realismo de balsero.” All I can say to those that advocate Puerto Rican independence from the U.S. is: put your actions where you put your words. You’re welcome to move here and live with the consequences of the status changes that may occur in the future. But as long as you remain in the U.S. and thus as long as people from Puerto Rico realize that you don’t risk anything by sitting in Starbucks with your laptop playing supporter of a so-called independence movement (a group that is currently seen in Puerto Rico as reactionary) your chances at convincing anyone here are very slim.

Voz/David—A few quick points:

1. The examples of international solidarity that you refer to are totally inapplicable to this case. You claim that “many great leaders thru out history volunteered and lend their mind to help other countries”. The problem with you argument is that most Puerto Ricans agree that residents of the mainland who insist on Puerto Rico’s so-called independence aren’t “helping” Puerto Ricans but rather trying to impose on them a political status that has been consistently rejected almost unanimously.

2. Lol. The comments of people who claim to support Puerto Rican “self-determination” while at the same time demand that Puerto Rico is converted into a political entity that isn’t in line with the wishes of the overwhelming majority of the Puerto Rican population are amazingly predictable. From the beginning of this conversation, I was knew that, given that none of you seem willing to move to “la isla” with the commitment and endure the consequences of any political status that Puerto Rico may have in the future, I knew that at some point you would make some (veiled) reference to the “we pay federal taxes and you don’t” sound bite that always arises in these debates. First of all, (though not surprising) it’s ironic, to say the least, that those who complain about “the ways of the ‘empire’” and “from the belly of the beast” claim to be the light that shows us “the path towards liberation” also claim to have some inherent right to decide our future by employing one of the favorite sound bites of the Washington power structure that has failed to secure equal rights for the (proud) U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico.

Second, your comment also shows that you really don’t know much about this issue. First, there are thousands of employees of the federal government that reside in Puerto Rico to whom the Internal Revenue code applies in full. Second, the fact that many Puerto Ricans are exempted from paying federal income taxes does not mean that they do not pay any federal taxes. As a Puerto Rican student recently pointed out in the Yale Law Journal, Puerto Ricans do pay federal taxes: they are subject to federal payroll taxes and income taxes on United States and foreign-source income. And as Professor Christina Duffy Burnett (who teaches at Columbia Law School) has noted, one might add that Puerto Rico already pays a price for its lower federal tax burden in the form of reduced federal benefits, as it receives only a fraction of what it would be entitled to as a state. Moreover, as both Professor Burnett and Georgetown Law School Dean T. Alexander Aleinikoff have observed, the so-called tax exemption is far from being a panacea because the exemption from federal income taxes has resulted in considerably higher local taxes.

Additionally, as many have long observed, Puerto Ricans have not been afforded representation in the federal government even though thousands of them contribute to U.S. national defense every year (and have died in large numbers in U.S. military engagements). So, as Dean Aleinikoff has observed, the question arises as to why is the right to decide the political situation of Puerto Rico representation in the federal government made contingent to the payment of federal taxes and not on compliance with other responsibilities of citizenship like contributing to national defense through participation in the military.

In sum, your “you don’t pay federal taxes” argument isn’t impressive at all and doesn’t give you any special standing to impose on Puerto Ricans through undemocratic means a status opinion that we have loudly rejected form more that an century.

3. Of course I do know who the aguadillano Carlos Delgado is. But your comment doesn’t change anything. I fact it sounds a lot like the “let’s go back to Africa” argument made by some African-Americans long before the civil rights movement. You don’t have to tell me that there’s still racism in the U.S. (also in Puerto Rico, by the way). But the existence of racism is hardly a convincing argument that gives pause to those of us struggling for equal rights and (real) political power for Puerto Ricans (and in fact reinvigorates the struggle for equality among American citizens).

I may agree with the assertion that Puerto Rico’s situation isn’t high in the agenda of the average American. But this is very different than to say that our fellow citizens from the mainland show indifference about Puerto Rico once the issue is brought to their attention. After all, before the civil rights movement gained impetus, the life of the average white American was undisturbed by racial segregation. But because there were people that decided to make it an issue today we have a fundamentally different country in which Obama can be president, Sotomayor can be appointed to the Supreme Court and Latino American citizens (like you) aren’t treated as inferior (when we are in the mainland or a state). So don’t try to pull that trick on me. In addition to going to (very) good graduate schools in the U.S., I’ve lived in the U.S. and travel very frequently to the mainland. I have many American friends (mostly residents of the U.S. but some residents of Puerto Rico). And my experience has been that as soon as I explain Puerto Rico’s situation to people from the U.S. they show enormous receptiveness and empathy, and many decide to take action (by writing to their congresspersons, etc.). So while Puerto Rico may not be a priority for many Americans, it’s the task of those of us who support REAL SELF-determination to MAKE IT AN ISSUE. My experience in the U.S. and with all kind of Americans tells me that this is the hardest part, but if we succeed in doing so (and there are signs that suggest that the issue is beginning to gain momentum in the current juncture), then the prospects for success are good. You’re also way off mark when you say that only the Republicans have expressed sympathy towards Puerto Rican statehood. Do you remember, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, or, for that matter what Hillary Clinton and Obama said while campaigning in Puerto Rico? Of course, as FDR once said, politicians won’t do anything unless the people make them.

But, in fact, many in the U.S. have begun recognizing that, inevitably, the U.S. will confront a petition for statehood from the Puerto Rican people sometime in the next 10-15 years. At that point, the issue WILL become a national (and, perhaps, global) one. As José Cabranes (the OTHER Puerto Rican that sits as a judge in the Second Circuit in NY) wrote in Foreign Policy Magazine, if the U.S.’s self-advertized notions of multiculturalism and pluralism are a bluff the Puerto Rico statehood movement will call that bluff. So either way the result will be a positive one in the quest for real equality. Either U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico will be able to exercise all the rights that they should enjoy or they will help expose a big farce. I hope for the former, by am willing to live with the latter, if necessary…

BTW, your 48% figure about non-working middle age Puerto Rican men is so unreal that it’s laughable—it just shows how detached you are from Puerto Rico’s reality.

4. Finally, I grew up in a working-class family, and I have never been on public assistance and have been able to find work since I was 13. But—unlike what’s implied in your comments—I don’t make a blanket mockery of those that are on welfare.

I like to first and foremost, say I apologize if these posting seem like I am bantering. It is not of my nature, the difference between me and other “independista” often think that own opinion is more valid the one of pro statehood or commonwealth. I like to hear both sides of the coin, in this case 3 sides since the options of statehood, commonwealth, and independence. I don’t think there is much of any thing that can change my take on independence for Puerto Rico as been a better solution then statehood. There are numerous reasons why Puerto Rico has been on this same issue for over a century now.
I would agree that Puerto Ricans that are living in the states has very little sense of the political status of Puerto Rico; even I have tried to educate those individuals with the general knowledge and history of Puerto Rico, and I am greeted with little or no response as if I arrived from another planet, at the same token we cannot fault those Puerto Ricans, we live in society that there “other priorities” more important. Yet when the weekend of the Puerto Rican parade here in New York, in which was this past weekend it seems as everyone wants to be Puerto Rican with out knowing the struggle.
But once again I still believe that reason(s) that many Puerto Ricans continue to vote against independence is “Fear”. Fear was the key ingredient to the success of Nazi Germany; fear was the key component of post 9/11 to evoke “wars” against Iraq and Afghanistan.
Back in 1937 there was a secret plebiscite that took place in Puerto Rico; Senator Millard Tydings who was a senator of the state of Maryland was an advocate for full independence for Puerto Rico. Mr. Tydings actually had a good structure to develop Puerto Rico, into a developing country then any Latin countries at that time. This plebiscite was orchestrated by Puerto Ricans and United States officials to simply get the vote of the Puerto Rican people to self determined Puerto Rico a sovereignty state or full independence. What was the key component for Puerto Rico to vote against independence was Franklin D. Rosevelt ultimatum to Puerto Rico; if they decided Independence then US would have cut all type of government assistance to the island within months of this vote. Think about it, this was year 1937, Puerto Rico was one of the countries that did not fully recover from the great depression, that year almost 90 percent of the island lived in poverty. The fear to dispatch all type of monetary assistance and Food-Aid, These actions would turn any Puerto Rican to turn down independence even if it means they would have to sacrifice their own culture and way of life just so that they can be fed. Phobia is what drives many Puerto Ricans now to continue to vote against Independence, remember fear trickles down from generation to generation, there is no question that our generations are the carriers of this state of mind. It took a little over a hundred years for slaves in United States to revolt against their masters, during that period slaves were under the consumption of fear. It took individuals like Harriet Tubman to no longer be afraid and take actions against oppression.
You also mention that Puerto Ricans from US do not do anything to help those in the Island, as I stated above I agree with you on that, but that is not a statement you can use for all. I personally with out giving much information about my identity work for one of the labor unions that were part of the march against the lay-offs of 30,000 federal workers in Puerto Rico so in a way with out giving much info about me, I have a hands on approach on certain issues in PR. You have to realize that in the US, Puerto Ricans living in the states are as equal as those in the Island and vice versa, US does not categorize those separately. The similar approach that US agencies are the same in both sides, when the population of Puerto Rican in NYC increased; Government agencies built low income buildings aka Projects, same plan that the USDA(United States Department of Agriculture) had for Puerto Rico in the late 1970’s in which we call them “Los Caserios”,.

History repeats itself.
For those who support statehood take at a few quick notes or patterns, I know that many who do not support statehood main concern is the declined of our Latin culture in Puerto Rico and let’s take a look at the last recent example. in 1893 John L. Stevens lead a committee to overthrow the Hawaiian government, in that time 90% percent of the population were indigenous Hawaiian, in 1898 the percentage fell too 80%. In 1959, when Hawaii was allowed into the union by then the population of indigenous Hawaiians fell to an outstanding 50% Side note: Hawaiians are not allowed to play Hawaii national anthem, nor raised its national flag any where. The congress usually ensure that any territory joining the union is 2/3 “American”. In 1993, by then new president elect Bill Clinton had a letter read to the congress apologizing to the native Hawaiians of an illegal takeover by US. Check link. (http://www.hawaii-nation.org/congrec-house.html) what is very intriguing number is that by 1993, Hawaii had only 30% indigenous Hawaiians, and 35% white Americans. If that is not a warning of what can happen in Puerto Rico just ask Native Hawaiians about their history in last 100 years. Or better yet for those who still argue that the decline of our culture won’t happen if become statehood, research Native Americans in modern United States. Those numbers would indicate that a decline in our culture is inevitable.
Let’s examine common wealth the impact that can have on Puerto Rico on the long run, and what impact it had thru out history, the other status most Puerto Ricans support. Puerto Rico continues to support commonwealth, however let’s look at certain examples how United States has used for its benefits. More or less united States are able to control most government policy that Puerto Rico has. It can be foreign policies, etc. but as you can see history has showed what United States main purpose has been with Puerto Rico, its definitely not one of progression, but one of experimental and deceive. As some you might know or not, 1931: Dr. Cornelius Rhoads, a pathologist, conducted a cancer experiment in Puerto Rico under the auspices of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Investigations. Dr. Rhoads has been accused of purposely infecting his Puerto Rican subjects with cancer cells. Thirteen of the subjects died. A Puerto Rican physician uncovered the experiment an investigation covered-up the facts. Despite Rhoads’ hand written statements that the Puerto Rican population should be eradicated, Rhoads went on to establish U.S. Army Biological Warfare facilities in Maryland, Utah, and Panama, and was later named to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Rhoads was also responsible for the radiation experiments on prisoners, hospital patients, and soldiers. The American Association for Cancer Research honored him by naming its exemplary scientist award the Cornelius Rhoads Award, if you think is conspiracy I am holding a copy of 1949 TIME magazine with DR.Rhoads on the cover when he conducted an interview in which he was quoted “The Porto Ricans (sic) are the dirtiest, laziest, most degenerate and thievish race of men ever to inhabit this sphere… I have done my best to further the process of extermination by killing off eight and transplanting cancer into several more… All physicians take delight in the abuse and torture of the unfortunate subjects”.Who is not to say that this cannot happen again, in fact I can point out that history has showed the United States continues to support such behaviors on the island using Puerto Ricans as subjects, let’s take another example. With out giving much explanation, as many should know that Puerto Rican women were subjects of sterilization thru out the 1950’s and 1970’s, in fact such grotest actions were documented by pbs.org the name of the documentary “The Pill”.. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pill/peopleevents/e_puertorico.html.. y el otro documentario es .. http://www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC29folder/AnaMariaGarciaInt.html..
You also mention that America has changed their ways due to having a black president, and now a Puerto Rican judge, however funny thing that happened when Sonia Sotomayor was appointed, weeks following her nominee. National geographic had a show called “Gangland:Puerto Rico” basically showing how dangerous Puerto Rico has turned out to be, then the USDA released numbers from 2003 Nutrition Assistance, showing that Puerto Ricans are the 2nd beneficiaries of welfare at a staggering 6%. After an independista condemned those numbers, USDA (United States Dept. of Agriculture) pull the numbers down from their website, however the number remained on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrition_Assistance_for_Puerto_Rico……. Then the travel channel website had an advisory warning on 06/12/2009 when it came to traveling to Puerto Rico, that PR homicide rate is doubled that of NYC rate is, it was the first time in 3 years travel channel do such thing. Is that coincidence or what? Also the history channel is working on a documentary based on the book..Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico: The Cost of Dependence… if you do not know about this book here is what the summary is…”Current policy toward Puerto Rico is costing each American taxpayer $400 a year-a total of $22 billion. This book gives the scandalous history behind one of America’s biggest and most expensive tax shelters, the “commonwealth” of Puerto Rico. The authors share the shocking truth about how the American taxpayer is footing a bill for antiquated policy toward this island. Puerto Rican businessman Alexander Odishelidze shares a revealing story of how bad policy is wasting taxpayer dollars and destabilizing the people and region of Puerto Rico, while renowned conservative economist Arthur Laffer bolsters the claims with his undeniable facts and figures. Together they build a convincing case that Puerto Rico must dispense with the chimera of commonwealth and become an independent nation or the 51st state of the United States of America”.
United States is a very diverse society at the same token is a culture who is less receptive to changes; you can find more forums online in the headlines “sotomayor is a racist” the one of “Puerto Rican Progression”. I can go on and on and on and on, at the end I only want Puerto Rico to be given the legal right of self determination, but same token awareness of such information must be distributed for one self understanding of the on goings of Puerto Rico.
Like one of the points I stated one of the biggest labor unions in the United States is oppose Gov Luis Fortuños’ plan to get Puerto Rico out of debt, and many newspapers in America covered the march that occurred few weeks ago. And the chair-woman of Change to win organization condemning that Mr. Fortuño government is only for the rich and wealthy, not the poor working families in Puerto Rico.

Voz/David:

1. There’s nothing new for Puerto Ricans in that long rant—I’m still puzzled by your assumption that Puerto Ricans haven’t read ALL these stories and it’s for you to educate us. Those writings that you cite as the “smoking gun” in your last comment are just high school or college materials here. I repeat, we’ve heard it all—and have all the necessary political, historical, etc. info necessary to exercise our right to self-determination in a democratic manner (something that the minuscule independence faction doesn’t want to see happen). Again, you may disagree, but most Puerto Ricans don’t believe that the case of Hawaii (one that took place under a significantly different USA (i.e. one that still had segregation and other similar sins as its official policy)) would repeat itself in PR. In fact, it hasn’t happened even though, except for the fact that we have no representation in the federal government, for all practical purposes, PR already functions as if it were a state.

2. Apparently, we do agree on the fact that the so-commonwealth isn’t an adequate status (at least not anymore). But, again, just like the KKK and racism wouldn’t deter the civil rights movement in the 1960s, while the LARGE amount of U.S. citizens from PR are well aware of the fact that there’s still racism in the U.S. (I spend a lot of my time in the mainland) this doesn’t deter us from seeking the equality and participation in the government of the USA—something that can only be achieved through statehood. A neo-colonial Caribbean island-republic that would inevitably be subordinated to decisions made in Washington isn’t an option for us. The acceptance of representatives an all Latino community of (proud by bent on fighting anti-Latino bigots) U.S citizens in the policy making bodies of the powerful metropolitan state is the real radical option, not the relegation of PR to the status of another nominally independent island with representatives in the UN (an irrelevant body as it is) and foreign countries but no real political clout

I’m all for having a referendum of independence vs. statehood referendum in PR…

3. Who laid-off of 30,000 FEDERAL workers in Puerto Rico? To my knowledge, the PR government simply notified around 7,000 TEMPORARY workers that their contracts wouldn’t be renewed (as you know, the local government can’t fire FEDERAL workers). In addition, I can assure you that many of the teachers from that group are being interviewed for other positions. By the way, vampire-unions from the US didn’t elect our governor—WE did. And beyond the hype and inflated estimates about the march (which was just a proxy battle for the small ultra-nationalist faction that to tries to destabilize the island every time a statehood supporter gains control of government), there’s plenty of evidence that shows that most Puerto Ricans are on Fortuño’s side even if wealthy union “leaders” from the US (i.e. NY residents but Puerto Rican nationalist Dennis “Hickey” Rivera) want to decide from afar what our government should look like.

I’m not 50—I’m actually in my (very) early 30s. Yet, as someone that LIVES in San Juan, PR (though I spend several months each year in the northeast US) I can assure you that ALL those things that you mentioned are just standard (and mostly old) history for most “puertorros” from “la isla”. It is almost laughable that you seem to believe that you possess “privileged” info which entitles you to claim that you can “educate” Puerto Ricans. Are you so prejudiced against Puerto Ricans that you believe that puertorros don’t even know how to use the internet and that after all the hours that the average Puerto Rican invests in thinking about this issue they ignore info that you can find in Wikipedia, PBS, and Newsweek. Please, lol. It seems incompatible with your so-called support for Puerto Ricans that you assume that they are morons and not “enlightened” like you. Lol.

And you are dead wrong when you say that we agree that statehood won’t happen: Actually, as many US academics are beginning to think (and this is something I have verified personally), while nothing is certain in life, I believe that Puerto Rico WILL eventually become a state. (Most US academics that pay attention to political developments in PR have realized that the US will inevitably be confronted with a democratically-obtained petition for statehood in the near future. And at that point Congress will not be able to block it since (irrespectively of what happened in the past) historical and political reality leads to the conclusion that the US will no longer be able to disregard the democratic will of a community of (very loyal) US citizens without making a mockery of democratic principles that has given the country the international moral and political standing that it has achieved—something that not even the US establishment is willing to sacrifice. Finally, you need to stop acting as if the majority of white Americans are bigots—maybe you need more friends to get rid of this paranoia. And, in light of your prior comments labeling Puerto Ricans as “ignorant”, it seems that your references to “bad white-Americans” racism amount to nothing more than projection.

This is a good debate, This is what makes us Puerto Ricans, at the end we can disagree, but I am sure that if we both live next to each other, I would personally Invite you to my house play dominoes and drink bacardi. Don Q is not that far. I enjoy it both .