I thrive to keep this travel blog light. Yet, there are certain topics that, albeit complicated, should be discussed in order to better understand a destination. This is the case of Puerto Rico patriotism.
From left: Spanish Navy flag, Puerto Rico flag, USA flag (Jennifer Martinez, Flickr)
In light of the Olympics, and the commotion caused by my patriotic comments after Javier Colson grasped the first Olympic medal for our island in 64 years, I felt inclined to discuss patriotism in my homeland. As a U.S. territory, it has been an ongoing dilemma for more than 50 years–and main cause of mockery of Puerto Ricans ever since.
Puerto Rico patriotism: The U.S. territory’s dilemma
What I’m about to discuss is not unique to Puerto Rico, but shared among several overseas territories and dependencies around the world. For instance, this gentleman from Guam explains a similar problem with the U.S. and his island:
Such is the nature of all fundamentally unequal power relationships.
This line truly resonated with me. Is this how I feel? Is this the same problem of the Puerto Rico-U.S. relationship? Is this the byproduct of neocolonialism? Or is it Puerto Ricans taking advantage of the U.S. instead?
This is when Americans talk and usually piss me off.
It truly pisses me off whenever an American, ignorant of the situation, balks and yaps about how Puerto Ricans don’t pay any taxes, yet get all the U.S. citizen benefits. If you only knew of all the liberties we are not afforded because of this political status–mostly when it comes to commerce and international transactions. You see, if this political relationship were not beneficial to the U.S., I doubt it would have lasted more than 50 years untouched by Congress.
Speaking of which, there have been a couple of appeals made by the island to change the political status of Puerto Rico throughout the years. However, the Estado Libre Asociado has remained essentially unchanged since the 1950s. Why is that? This could be a rhetorical question, as nobody really knows the answer. This is quite the lengthy argument though, so I digress…
I will tell you, however, an awful lot about Puerto Rico patriotism.
Javier Culson: Puerto RIco’s first Olympic medal in Track and Field (bronze)
We can’t lose our Puerto Rico patriotism just bc we are US citizens
I was taking a 15 min. break from work to watch Javier Culson run last week. It was the first time in Olympic history that Puerto Rico had a real chance at an Olympic medal in track and field. He was one of the favorites to win the race and our whole island was watching.
I was sweating. My heart was pounding out of my chest. I was hyperventilating.
As Javier crossed the finish line in third place, I started to cry. I was trembling and, while I would have liked for him to place first in order to hear our beautiful national anthem resonate in a packed arena, I was still proud. So proud I couldn’t stop crying. My heart was rejoicing just as hard as when I read that I was awarded the $20,000 scholarship to study abroad in Egypt for year. It felt amazing.
And seeing my flag being raised during the award ceremony? Priceless.
In fact, I cried again. If this is not Puerto Rico patriotism, I don’t know what it is. Sure, I’m a US citizen due to the fact that the U.S. “gained” my island after “winning” the Spanish-American War against Spain in 1898. Somehow, I recognize that I should thank this shift in political status (particularly, the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917). It has, after all, granted me a good set of rights and significant freedom in comparison to citizens of many other countries.
Yet, should I consider myself only an American because of this?
Should I totally renounce the fact that I am Puerto Rican, Puerto Rican first, and that I should also love my national anthem and flag? Just because my passport says “American,” am I insulting that great nation by stating the fact that I love my island and put Puerto Rico patriotism first? Is it my fault that this is so deeply embedded in me, after living on the island for 18 years of my life?
No, no, and NO.
Only people that have ever visited the island for more than a few days can truly understand. Culturally, Puerto Rico is so different to the United States. In fact, we share many more customs and traditions with the rest of Latin America than with the U.S. After all, we speak Spanish and are called Latinos, not Anglo-Saxons or Caucasians…
Yet, here I was, being mocked on social media.
Not that I care much about it, since Americans have mocked me for this very reason since I moved here to go to college in 2005. Oh, that’s another thing–just because I came to the states to go to college, they automatically say I don’t love my island: “Why did you come here, then?” And if I try to explain why Puerto Rico patriotism is dear to me? “If you don’t consider yourself American, you should go back to your country!”
Tsk tsk. Funny, because I’ve had it anyway. But I digress again…
What am I trying to say here? What am I trying to portray? That the culture and psyche of peoples are more complicated than political statuses and frontiers. Don’t be so quick to judge someone based on what they call themselves or their patriotism. Before you can have any say in the matter whatsoever,
go read a damn history book.
Yes, I respect America. Yes, I love my U.S. passport. But at the end of the day?
I am Puerto Rican — Just so you know!
Have you encountered Puerto Rico patriotism? Share your thoughts
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Love this post, which has opened my eyes. Of course, the Philippines was also a US colony, acquired in the shady aftermath of the same war, and they now have independence.
I don’t see why you should be mocked for feeling proud of your country, which will, most likely, be a nation in due course, rather than a territory.
Thanks Theodora. Many (ignorant) Americans mock us because they say we are American, or Puerto Rican “at our convenience.” In reality, we are simply considered Puerto Ricans or Americans depending on whether we are in a political or cultural sphere (i.e. The UN vs The Olympics). It changes drastically (I talk about this further on this detailed Puerto Rico Cultural overview post)
About us becoming independent, that is far, far away. In fact, I think it is more likely we will become a state. But of course, this greatly depends on Congress, who hasn’t really moved a finger. Every referendum we’ve had about the matter, neither statehood nor independence wins, so the conundrum won’t be solved any time soon it seems..
Boricua, I hear you and I totally agree with you. Having Puerto Rican pride does not diminish American pride and it should never be an either or situation. I’m from Chicago so I am extremely aware of the Puerto Rican independence movement since many activists lived here. I am painfully aware of the arrogance and inequality that Americans promote when it comes to other countries and cultures, especially territories. Hold fast to your culture it is so important. My post on Taino culture that I wrote the last time I was in PR years ago remains one of my most popular posts so that tells you that some people still value Puerto Rican culture and want to learn about it.
I always will! Gracias Rosalind
I don’t understand why people can’t be proud of all the aspects of their cultures, their lives, the histories of the places they live, etc. Even without getting into politics, and laws, we are all citizens of multiple places. The cities we live in, perhaps cities we grew up in, states, regions. It’s so much more complex than just a country. And on top of that as a country of mostly immigrants many Americans identify with roots much further back, where parents, grandparents, or many generations removed came from and many are proud of those roots, too.
I’ll never understand the go back ‘home’ crowd… I’m not Puerto Rican, and I don’t have any opinion other than by all means, be proud of who you are.
Indeed, Mark. You got my point!
Thanks for commenting
Brilliant post. Very educational for those of us outside the Americas.
Glad you think so, thank you Sean
Go on Sistah! Speak on it! Lol I’ve grown up around Puerto Ricans for many years now (I grew up in NYC, the Bronx) and I’ve heard the endless debate on and on since I was a lot younger. Being also from the Philippines, I can understand where you’re coming from about your own individual patriotism for your country, with its own entity, totally separate from the US.
There will always be ignorant people out there who’re so quick to yell out “Go back to your country” garbage. Keep it moving. You’ve got better things to worry about
Thank you!
I do understand people who are frustrated when immigrants to their country don’t try to assimilate at all or take any pride or interest in their new country. I actually get more frustrated about people moving to Chile and not speaking Spanish than I ever did about latinos in the US who spoke little to no English! But immigrating is different from growing up bi-cultural. And not recognizing a new culture is different from embracing two cultures. Your situation is nothing anyone should be mocking you for!
Yeh. Besides, the English they teach at schools in PR is so bad, most of us who are fluent became to be due to independent study/interest. But that’s another issue for another day.. .:P
Hey lady, thank you so much for this post. I think the major reason why so many Americans give you attitude about Puerto Rico is actually sadly simple – we don’t know anything about it. We are never taught the history is schools, we have no practical concept of how PR is related to the US, and frankly, until reading this I didn’t know you carried a US passport. It’s ignorance, and then that ignorance turns into assumptions. But I’d be interested to know whether Puerto Ricans have any real interest in becoming a 51st state? It’s something occasionally bandied about up here, but I have no clue if it is actually was Puerto Ricans want…
That’s very sad, as Spanish-American War is a HUGE part of AMERICAN HISTORY! If I were a meanie, it would be extremely justifiable for me to mock Americans for not knowing a lick about this eh? But I digress…
Becoming a 51st state: Meh, not really. As I said on this post, many referendums have taken place, all voting against both total independence or statehood. Yet, with more Americans moving to the island, there could be change. But…that’s a joke. Why? In the end, it all comes to Congress. And, with the CIRCUSES that the cameras are, PR’s situation won’t be changing any time soon. But hey, who knows — something radical may happen and prove me wrong. Only time will tell
As much as I gave you a hard time about it all threw out college, I respect your love for your homeland, and even still you do not need to be either one or the other. i believe you will always be American and Boricua. America is not a melting pot because we don’t meld together. we are just a assortment of people.
Lol Jackson. You are Brazilian, so don’t worry
haha. Miss ya bud, thanks for commenting though
Puerto Rico’s relationship with the USA has always seemed confusing. Thanks for this interesting and informative post!
Some people are just dumb… if they are the kind that will accept being enlightened, I will do so. If not… screw them… I won’t even engage in conversation with them.
Great passion in this post!
I don’t usually engage in conversation with them, but sometimes I get so…ehem…that I have to say something. Yup, I get THIS passionate about the topic! Can’t help it, it’s the Latina in me
I always wonder about that relationship. I tried to explain it to Ric recently and couldn’t really. People are also shocked when I say Puerto Rico is a US territory. They always ask, “Is it a state?” Sounds very much like colonialism. But to me I don’t really care about the politics of PR being part of the US-taxes, voting and what not. I honestly am clueless on the details of the relationship. But I do think PR is extremely different from the US and should embrace that. I really hope culture is preserved there and that it doesn’t just become another bit of America on the map. But I don’t think that’s a problem judging from any PR I’ve met. It seems like a very proud culture with valued roots and traditions.
I must admit, it still shocks me how little Americans know about Puerto Rico. It is part of the U.S.! Shocks me even further when many of them have never even heard of, nor know the details of, the Spanish-American War. Oh well…I digress!
We are too tied to Latin America for our culture to ever disappear, so don’t you worry
Thanks for writing this post. Have you ever read Rosario Ferre’s book “La Casa de la Laguna”? She explores the theme of Puerto Rican identity a lot in there. That being an American is both a point of pride and pain. Anyhow, I am glad I stumbled upon your blog, I’ll have to stop in from time to time. My husband and I are from Colorado but we have bought a finca in Rincon and are moving to PR in about a year. It is definitely la isla del encanto for us as we are still very much enchanted with it and are excited to make it our home!
Nope, haven’t read Rosario’s book. Will have to! Thanks for the recommendation. Glad you like my blog, please visit often. Oh and Bienvenidos a Puerto Rico, La Isla Del Encanto!
Great post – I know very little about Puerto Rico even though I’ve wanted to go there for a long time and loved hearing your smart sassy view of things. I learned a lot! I’ll be reading more of your posts to learn as much as I can and to start seriously planning a trip there.
“smart sassy view of things” < -- lol XD hahahha, thanks Cindy! I got plenty of Puerto Rico travel blog posts already, so go read them!
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