Where are you from – really?
Borikén: Isla del Encanto
This is a question that both intrigues and concerns me. In such a diverse nation
as the USA, some persons cannot accept that someone with my unique characteristics
[physical, language, etc.] can be an “American.” So after being asked, “Where are
you from?” and getting my response, “The USA,” I am often asked, “No, I mean, where
are you really from?”
I am and have always been from the USA. I was born and raised a native-born USA
citizen in the island of Puerto Rico. I do not immigrate to the USA; I migrate within
my own country just like any other USA citizen migrates from, let’s say Florida
to New York. Puerto Ricans are the largest “revolving door” migratory group in the
USA, moving between the island and the mainland regularly and without restrictions.
Puerto Ricans do not need passports or migration papers to move within their own
country of birth – and they do not need resident or working papers.
What you were [probably] not taught in school.
Let me add a bit of history. Puerto Rico has been subjected to USA domination since
the USA invaded the island in 1898. Puerto Ricans resisted but succumbed to the
USA military power in 1900. The USA established a military government, with all
governors – non Puerto Ricans - appointed by the USA President. The island was not
allowed to elect its own island-born governor until 1948. The Jones Act of 1917
declared all Puerto Ricans citizens by Act of Congress – also against their will
– with mandatory military service in WWI. This law also imposed English as the official
language, mandating all instruction in English with Spanish offered only as a special
subject. As a result, thousands of Puerto Ricans were forced to leave schools and
migrate to mainland cities such as New York and Chicago to work in low-paying menial
jobs.
The USA also changed the island’s name to Porto Rico and did not change it back
until 1932. In 1952 the island became a territorial commonwealth of the USA. In
this position, Puerto Rico controls only its internal affairs if/when they do not
conflict with USA laws. The USA controls the island’s interstate trade, foreign
relations and commerce, customs, control of air, land, and sea, immigration and
emigration, nationality and citizenship, currency, maritime laws, military service,
military bases [army, navy, and air force], declaration of war, constitutionality
of laws, jurisdiction and legal proceedings, treaties, radio and television – communications,
agriculture, mining and minerals, highways, postal system, social security, and
many other areas controlled by the USA federal government. Yet, Puerto Ricans are
not allowed to vote in USA Presidential elections and lack representation on either
house of the USA Congress, except a “representative” in Washington that has no vote.
The official definition for colonialism and neocolonialism explains why Puerto Ricans
have challenged USA domination since 1898.
More things you probably did not learn in school: Puerto Rico today has one of the
highest literacy and educational rates in the world. Education is a matter of high
priority, representing 40% of the island’s budget. Literacy among persons aged 15
and over is 94.1%. Both Spanish and English are official languages and although
public schooling is conducted in Spanish, English instruction is required at all
levels and most Puerto Ricans are bilingual. Puerto Rico has over 50 institutions
of higher education and has attained one of the highest college continuation and
completion rates in the world (6th) with 56% of college-age students attending institutions
of higher learning. According to the World Bank Data and the CIA, Puerto Rico provides
the largest number of Ph.D.s in math, science, and engineering to USA businesses
on the mainland. This should make anyone wonder why Puerto Ricans are doing so poorly
in mainland USA schools.
