Puerto+Rico-USA+relationship

=__Puerto Rican History__=

Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony from the year 1493 to 1898. It then fell under the control of the United States, and for about fifty years the US attempted to completely strip Puerto Rico of its culture. The Puerto Rican Republican Party Constitution stated, "We swear loyalty to the flag of the United States and to American ideals, looking toward the prestige of Porto Rico as a member of the Federal Union, as this will reflect the greatness of the nation of which we desire to be a part." However, despite the efforts made by the US to squash Puerto Rican culture, Puerto Ricans seem to have held on to an identity that separates them from their oppressors. Puerto Rico is now a territory of the USA, cannot vote for president, and doesn't have votes in congress.



=__Puerto Rican Views on USA__=

The pressure that was put on Puerto Rico to become more American, has in some cases made Puerto Ricans resist the American influence. The people that greatly separate themselves from American lifestyle are the ones who generally wish for Puerto Rican Independence. There are also many Puerto Ricans who hope to acquire statehood. This creates a struggle between the two sides based on the idea of who is more of a Puerto Rican. It is also important to remember that there are Puerto Ricans that are completely content with their current status, and simply don't mind being a territory of the US. That being said, the number of Puerto Ricans who want statehood is rising.

(click on this picture to learn about murals!)

=__Puerto Rican Statehood?__=

In 2000, The Federal District Court of Puerto Rico attempted to convince the US that Puerto Ricans had the right to vote in presidential elections due to the fact that they are technically US citizens. This claim was quickly shot down since, "Article II of the Constitution grants the power to elect the president only to the states, and not to the people" (Roman, 2002). This is a loop hole that has many Puerto Ricans confused and unhappy. It has been said that because Puerto Ricans do not pay income tax, they should not vote for presidential elections. This is a hollow claim, due to the fact that the 24th amendment bans the payment of any tax as a requirement for voting.

= = = __US Political Motives__ =

Since the people of Puerto Rico were not granted citizenship until 1917, there is an unclear idea about how exactly they are connected to the US. Under the Territory Clause, Congress is allowed to "treat Puerto Rico differently from States so long as there is a rational basis for its actions." In other words, the US is able to control the island without having to worry about the opinions or needs of the people living on it. This is because even if Puerto Ricans disagree with the administration, they still can't vote against it. Puerto Rico is simply a result of the imperialistic nature of the United States. It also is being used as a way to manipulate the latino population in the US. If a presidential candidate pays closer attention to the often overlooked territory, it could mean winning the votes of Puerto Ricans living in the US. Puerto Rico is also a large contributer to the US military force. Since WWI, Puerto Ricans have fought in every war the US has been in. Puerto Ricans, like other US citizens are subject to the draft. = = =__**Interview with Martha Colón:**__=

Below is an Interview with Martha Colón about her connection to Puerto Rico, and her opinions toward Puerto Rican statehood.

media type="youtube" key="s258Iw8l2wY" height="315" width="420" What Martha Colón says in this interview really puts things into perspective. This shows that this isn't simply a case of yes or no. There are mixed feelings with this issue. After this interview it was easier to look at Puerto Rico's situation with more of a balanced lense. = = =__**Works cited in MLA format:**__=

Briggs, Laura. //Reproducing Empire: Race, Sex, Science, and U.S. Imperialism in Puerto Rico//. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2002. //Questia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.

Hauberg, Clifford A. //Puerto Rico and the Puerto Ricans//. New York: Twayne, 1974.//Questia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.

Lewis, Gordon K. //Puerto Rico Freedom and Power in the Caribbean//. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1963. //Questia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.

Miranda, Rafael Cancel. "Powers Held by the United States over Puerto Rico." //Social Justice// 27.4 (2000): 152. //Questia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.

Morales-Carrión, Arturo. //Puerto Rico and the Non-Hispanic Caribbean: A Study in the Decline of Spanish Exclusivism//. Rio Piedras, P.R. : University of Puerto Rico Press, 1952. //Questia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.

Morris, Nancy. //Puerto Rico: Culture, Politics, and Identity//. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1995. //Questia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.

Roman, Jose D. "Trying to Fit an Oval Shaped Island into a Square Constitution: Arguments for Puerto Rican Statehood." //Fordham Urban Law Journal// 29.4 (2002): 1681+. //Questia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.