Latinos Deserve their Recognition

Memorial Day; Let us remember the sacrifices made....some have given the ultimate while others have given of their time and have been lucky enough to have stayed out of harms way. In either case, those who have never experienced the life of a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine can never really come to understand the sacrifices that are the norm. Why do it? Camaraderie, patriotism or, as many would say, it was a way out of the 'hood. A service member does what he does without question and with a commitment to service like no other. Whether they agree with the current conflict or not; the accomplishment of the mission is without question.

Latinos have served in this manner in the U.S. for a very long time. With all due respect to every service member past, present and future, Latinos must receive the recognition that they so justly deserve. Their commitments and sacrifices have been no different. A review of these sacrifices is desperately needed so that those who deserve to be recognized can so get that recognition.

Carlos Alberto Torres to be Paroled

From Ponce, Puerto Rico to New York then Chicago, Carlos Alberto Torres' parents journey was no different than the one taken by many Puerto Ricans. Escaping the difficulties of a life on an island nation, subjected to colonial rule, to raise their children. An argument is inevitable since the mention of colonial rule will be countered with the notion that Puerto Rico is a "Free Associated State". That will be dealt with in due time.

Carlos Alberto Torres would prove to be a well-rounded individual. He studied sociology at both Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago and became very active in several movements. Driven by his desire to make things right for Puerto Ricans, Carlos began looking to the root cause for Puerto Rican migration, racism and poverty. The conclusion, "Puerto Ricans were by-products of centuries of colonialism". Carlos was sentenced to 78 years on charges of seditious conspiracy and other charges for his commitment to Puerto Rican Independence. He has served 30 years and will finally, come July, be released on parole.

Benjamín Ortiz Ortiz

Benjamín Ortiz Ortiz was a lawyer and politician born on May 20, 1908. He studied law at Harvard University and taught at the School of Law at the University of Puerto Rico. He was a judge of the District of Humacao, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and he chaired the Public Service Commission. He was one of the founders and main leaders of the Popular Democratic Party, of which he was the spokesman in the House. From 1945-1952, he held a seat at-large in the House of Representatives, to which he returned to in 1961 and in 1964 representing several districts in Puerto Rico. In 1943, he assisted the Pro Independence Congress as a delegate and in 1945 he supported Tydings Bill, S. 227 (not to be confused with previous Tydings Bills), which called for Puerto Rico’s independence. He later became a staunch defender of autonomy as a solution to the islands status. He also served on a Committee as a Member of the Constitutional Assembly which drafted the Constitution of Puerto Rico. He died on April 12, 1976.

A Call to Action by Todo Puerto Rico

It has been nearly a month now that students at the University of Puerto Rico have been staging a strike in protest of cuts, tuition hikes and privatization of the university. Recent events have culminated in more support garnered by the university students from various sectors. This has become a black eye of sorts to both the university and the islands governmental administrations. Both have shown irresponsibility in their dialogue and response to the situation. To date the students have demonstrated their fortitude, maturity and professionalism to which the response has been insensitive, arrogant and intimidating. Denying them of food and water is equivalent to cutting off an enemies supply source. Is that the message that is being conveyed here? That the students are the enemy? How low will this administration stoop? Obviously, as low as they can go.

The call to action on Tuesday, May 18, by the coalition Todo Puerto Rico por Puerto Rico, includes a work stoppages in the AM hours and then a call for all to mobilize and gather at the various UPR campuses throughout the island. What is occurring here is a call of solidarity for students whom have demonstrated a civility and a willingness to move forward. The current governmental and university administrations should be taking lessons from these students.

IN SOLIDARITY with UPR Students!

Juan Morel Campos

Juan Morel Campos, born on May 16, 1857 was an extraordinary musical composer of his time.
Morel Campos was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico where at the age of eight he began to study music. He learned to play practically every brass instrument. His musical niche was the music known as danza in which he excelled and developed his own style. His first composition was called "Sopapos". He also had his own dance orchestra known as "La Lira Ponceña". Morel Campos wrote over 200 danza compositions, not including the many he also composed such as Waltzes, Symphonies, Marches and Overtures. His life was cut short at the age of 39 on May 12, 1896 due to a stroke he had suffered on April 26, 1896.

Among his best known compositions are "Felices Dias"(Happy Days), "No Me Toques"(Do Not Touch Me), "Idilio"(Idyll), "Alma Sublime"(Sublime Soul) and "Maldito Amor" (Damned Love).

**Danza: a very sophisticated form of music that can be extremely varied in its expression originating in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Democracy Act (HR 2499) Petition

I recently posted a message from the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights(NCPRR) calling the Puerto Rico Democracy Act(HR 2499): Inadequate; Contradictory and Confusing. A petition stating the several problems associated with the bill has been started by Jose A. Oyola. Provided below is a message from Jose and the full text of the petition:

"On April 29, 2010, the United States House of Representatives approved H.R. 2499, The Puerto Rico Democracy Act. Yet again, this legislation purports to address the 112-year-old political status question concerning Puerto Rico. While the need to address the status issue is critical to Puerto Rico and all Puerto Rican...s, this legislation is woefully inadequate, contradictory and confusing. A law that reflects fair provisions essential for self-determination by and for the Puerto Rican people, who deserve no less as citizens of this country, needs to be implemented. It is time to draft a resolution that adequately addresses the status issue of Puerto Rico in a manner that is clear, transparent, inclusive, and just, once and for all". -Jose

Puerto Rico Democracy Act (HR 2499):Inadequate, Contradictory, Confusing
Greetings,

I stand in solidarity with the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and the eight million Puerto Ricans, who despite being citizens of the United States, are being systematically disenfranchised under H.R. 2499, The Puerto Rico Democracy Act.

This legislation, which was approved by the United States House of Representatives on April 29, 2010, purports to address the 112-year-old political status question concerning Puerto Rico. While the need to address the status issue is critical to Puerto Rico and all Puerto Ricans, this legislation is woefully inadequate, contradictory and confusing. We ask you, as a United States Senator, along with all other members of the House, the Senate and the President of the United States, to reject H.R. 2499 and create a law that reflects fair provisions essential for self-determination by and for the Puerto Rican people, who deserve no less as citizens of this country. The more serious problems with H.R.-2499 include, but are not limited to the following:

1) As approved by the House or Representatives, H.R. 2499 stipulates that Puerto Ricans will hold a plebiscite for voters to choose whether to:
a) "…continue to have its present form of political status" (the Commonwealth status currently in place), or;
b) "…have a different political status."
If voters were to choose the option for a “different political status,” a second plebiscite would be required for Puerto Ricans to choose among four choices:
1) Independence;
2) Sovereignty in Association with the United States;
3) Statehood; or,
4) Commonwealth, or the status quo.
This is a fundamental exercise in hypocrisy, based in deceit, since any first stage vote by Puerto Ricans for a “different political status” would force a second vote that would continue to include the status quo option. This ploy undermines the purpose of the first stage vote, and invites yet another return to the status quo option, regardless of the expressed will of the Puerto Rican people.

2) H.R. 2499 allows a vote to only those Puerto Ricans born on the island, who “comply with local elections commission regulations” to cast a vote. This restriction shuts off the voice of millions of stateside Puerto Ricans not born on the island, yet who were born to parents who moved from Puerto Rico, or who themselves were born in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States. Cynically, however, this legislation would enfranchise hundreds of thousands of non-Puerto Rican residents living in Puerto Rico.

3) Ballots for the plebiscite would only be in English, despite posing a significant violation of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, intended to protect language minorities, including Puerto Ricans, via policies that include the receipt of ballots in their own language.

4) United Nations Resolution 1514 sets forth three acceptable options for an internationally sanctioned political status. While H.R. 2499 includes the three options, it ignores the further UN requirement that the affected people be fully informed and that they understand each option prior to a vote.

5) International law requires the release of political prisoners for opposing colonial rule prior to any plebiscite vote. Currently there are still Puerto Ricans serving jail sentences for political views, including Carlos Alberto Torres and Oscar Lopez. These prisoners have been in jail nearly 30 years for political acts, and deserve release before any legitimate vote on the political status of Puerto Rico is made. There is precedent for such release in the case of Nelson Mandela exiting his extended prison term in South Africa prior to a vote on the status of his country.

6) There is a problem of transparency. The day after the bill was passed in the House of Representatives, nearly every media outlet dubbed it the "Statehood Bill." Conservative commentators have spoken of the "impending" statehood of Puerto Rico, stirring anti-Hispanic rhetoric amidst the current immigration debates, and causing fear that the US will add two Puerto Rican senators and six Puerto Rican members to the House of Representatives through this legislation. The process must be fully transparent so that Puerto Ricans are not demonized, but this legislation blithely ignores the respect that Puerto Ricans deserve as United States citizens.

7) H.R. 2499 cannot adequately address the status of Puerto Rico because it ignores and fails to allow for the unification of the eight million Puerto Ricans who dividedly inhabit the United States. For this reason, the four Puerto Rican members of congress are split on H.R. 2499; two for and two against. The provisions in the legislation are so contradictory and divisive making it impossible to reach consensus and therefore worsening the situation.

For all of the foregoing reasons, I urge the United States Senate to reject H.R. 2499 in its present form, and to propose legislation that honestly respects the critical civil and human rights objectives at the forefront of this issue. I also urge President Obama to fulfill his campaign promise to the Puerto Rican people and address this issue in a fair, open and transparent fashion.

Start a Petition »

Puerto Rico Status: A Decision on Pride Alone?

Spring is in the air. I begin to think of what almost seems like a ritual to many. That is, the breaking out of the Puerto Rican flag and attaching it to a car or hanging it out a window. The t-shirts with cultural symbols alongside a flag begin to appear and New York City vendors begin to hawk every imaginable thing that can be emblazoned with a Puerto Rican flag. Just like spring, Puerto Rican pride is in the air.

Where do we go from here? The recent passing of the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009 (H.R 2499) has a lot to be considered. The real questions here begin with which, who, what and how do Puerto Ricans even begin to vote on a future plebiscite. Thinking about this time of year, the approach of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York , flag waving Puerto Ricans along the parade route, the various visiting groups and dignitaries from the island who march in the parade and the voices of many yelling "Puerto Rico"..."Boricua"...brings a lot to mind. Can pride be measured? Can pride alone be used to make a decision?

In a recent post, Libby Julia asks, "Puerto Rico Statehood: Who Decides?" I ask, " Puerto Rico Status: Who Decides?" The problem here is that there are those who will do all of aforementioned but when asked about some historical facts or figures they will be at a loss. When asked about cultural traditions they will shrug. When asked about the status issue they will answer based on the pride of the moment. How knowledgeable are people about that which they wave a flag for? How prepared are those who will be eligible to vote, on this plebiscite, to make a fair and educated decision on the future of what many consider a nation? The need to educate people about each status option should begin with a history lesson about the 112 year old relationship between the U.S and Puerto Rico.

This brings me to Arizona and the passing of the SB 1070 and I ask the same question that Ed Morales asks "Maybe in the short term it makes sense for Republicans to risk “bailing out” 4 million Puerto Ricans on the island, in exchange for shafting the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants on U.S. soil. But has it really come to this?" Now one need only know a bit about the U.S. and Puerto Rico relationship to understand that this could possibly be a cheap manuever. It doesn't take much to show approval for H.R. 2499 considering that Puerto Rico will foot the bill and ultimately, whatever Puerto Ricans decide, Congress can reject in the end.

Glenn Beck Unmasks Vast Marxist Puerto Rican Conspiracy To Dilute American Vote

This post is not to belittle but rather to invoke a desire to become educated about that which so many display pride in. Why? Because my love and passion for everything Puerto Rican runs deep.

And with that...
that a decision come not just from pride but from knowledge and understanding as well.

From the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights

I recieved this message via Facebook communication:

For Immediate Release:
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights calls Puerto Rico Democracy Act: Inadequate; Contradictory and Confusing
Contacts:
David Galarza 917-573-9250
Victor Vazquez 305-926-0904

The National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR), the largest Puerto Rican civil and human rights organization in the United States, has reviewed the Puerto Rico Democracy Act approved by the United States House of Representatives on April 29, 2010. While attempting, once again, to address the 112 year-old political status of Puerto Rico, the NCPRR finds this legislation woefully inadequate, contradictory and confusing. The NCPRR’s Board of Directors asks the United States Senate to reject this bill and for President Barack Obama to refuse to sign this legislation into law. Rather, the NCPRR asks the President and Congress to address the serious flaws in HR 2499 and create a law that reflects provisions necessary for full self-determination by and for the Puerto Rican people.

HR 2499, as approved by the House, stipulates that Puerto Ricans will hold a plebiscite in for voters to choose whether to: a) "…continue to have its present form of political status" (in relation to the U.S.) or b) "…have a different political status." If voters choose the second option, a second plebiscite is required to choose among four status choices: 1) Independence; 2) Sovereignty in Association with the United States; 3) Statehood or 4) Commonwealth, or status quo. The bill is contradictory, since Puerto Ricans voting to change their status in the first stage, will still have to revisit the status quo option in a second vote, which completely undermines the purpose of the first stage vote.
We applaud Congressman Jose E. Serrano's (D-NY) legislative effort to"...get the ball rolling...," but note that the other two Puerto Ricans members of the House of Representatives, Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill) do not support the bill. Also problematic is who will be eligible to vote and under what conditions. According to HR 2499, only "...Puerto Ricans born in the island who comply with...local elections commission regulations” may cast a vote. This restriction bars millions of Puerto Ricans stateside who were not born on the island, but are the children of parents who moved from Puerto Rico. Cynically, however, this legislation would enfranchise hundreds of thousands of non-Puerto Rican residents of the island.

Another troublesome provision of HR 2499 is that ballots for the plebiscite will only be in English, despite constituting a potential a violation of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protects language minorities such as Puerto Ricans to receive ballots in their own language.
The NCPRR seeks a legitimate end to the tragic territorial/colonial status of Puerto Rico. Since 1981, the NCPRR has supported the right of the Puerto Rican people to self-determination, as outlined under the United Nations Resolution 1514 (XV), which states that "All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they fully determine their political status." UN Resolution 1514 sets forth three acceptable options for internationally sanctioned political status. While HR 2499 includes the three options, it ignores the further UN requirement that the affected people to be fully informed and understand each option prior to a vote.

International law also requires the release of political prisoners for opposing colonial rule to any plebiscite vote. Currently there are still Puerto Ricans serving jail sentences for political views, including Carlos Alberto Torres and Oscar Lopez. The NCPRR does not endorse or support the tactics of these prisoners, but they have been in jail nearly 30 years for political acts, and deserve release before any legitimate vote on the political status of Puerto Rico. There is precedent for such release in the case of Nelson Mandela exiting his extended prison term in South Africa prior to a vote on the status of that country.
The NCPRR is troubled by the timing of HR 2499 questions why this issue is being brought forth at this time of strife over immigration? There is a problem of transparency here. The day after the bill was passed in the House of Representatives, nearly every media outlet dubbed it the "Statehood Bill." Conservative commentators have spoken of the "impending" statehood of Puerto Rico, stirring anti-Hispanic rhetoric amidst the current immigration debates, and causing fear that the US will add two Puerto Rican senators and six members of the House through this legislation.

The NCPRR seeks resolution of the status of Puerto Rico to allow for the unification of the eight million Puerto Ricans who dividedly inhabit the United States. We do not see HR 2499 as a proper means to that end. We call upon the US Senate to reject this bill in its present form, and propose legislation respecting the critical civil and human rights objectives at issue. We further call on President Obama to fulfill his campaign promise to the Puerto Rican people to address this issue in a fair, open and transparent fashion.

Truth and Fear before Voting

The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009 has passed the House and it moves on to the Senate with several of its amendments approved as well. For the record, 184 Democrats and 39 Republicans voted in favor while 129 Republicans and 40 Democrats opposed the bill. Another 18 republicans did not vote at all. The lack of support from the Republican Party says much about Luis Fortuño and his administrations clout within the party. Tsk!

Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi has hailed the passage of the bill as "truth and democracy has won out over fear, misinformation and [political] paralysis.” Truth is what is required before putting the status vote into place. Like putting someone in a courtroom full of their peers and swearing to tell the truth, all Puerto Ricans deserve nothing less. The question here is, "what and whose truth?" Fear has been instilled in the memories of many through the counter-intelligence operations, Ponce Massacres, Cerro Maravillas and the countless other initiatives against Puerto Rican organizations and individuals who even supported independence. Misinformation will continue so long as there are callous and selfish individuals whose only agenda is to further their own status preference before honest representation.

By the way, maybe we can get Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to come up with a few ideas of her own on the handling of the status issue!