To think that the results of the Puerto Rican democratic primary are a reflection of the same processes that happen in the mainland and representative of the US latino vote is simply naïve.
a pendejismo.
Let me put it this way…
The vast majority of politicians in Puerto Rico come from well to do families and more than often are individuals (men) who enter the political arena out of a desire for power and prestige. True there are few who have ethics and think of governmental work as a priviledge or even a calling to serve el pueblo and la gente (the people). However, the vast majority don't. Puerto Rican political party identification is something that is very strong in Puerto Rican culture and would scare the average US mainland citizen. Its vocal, its rough its hardcore. This behaviors and views are passed on from generation to generation. Those in the population who are not very well educated or up to date in the issues are easily persuaded and manipulated.
Of 4+ million people living in the island only about 350,000 people voted on the primary and regardless of those votes, the delegates had made up their minds before the ballots were counted because for many of those delegates there are loyalties and connections that they could not walk away from. The “popular vote” is to give the appearance of an organized democratic process. The Obama campaign knew what was going on and lacked the connections that the Clinton campaign had. This gets lost and diluted on all the excitement of results.
Let me put it this way…
The vast majority of politicians in Puerto Rico come from well to do families and more than often are individuals (men) who enter the political arena out of a desire for power and prestige. True there are few who have ethics and think of governmental work as a priviledge or even a calling to serve el pueblo and la gente (the people). However, the vast majority don't. Puerto Rican political party identification is something that is very strong in Puerto Rican culture and would scare the average US mainland citizen. Its vocal, its rough its hardcore. This behaviors and views are passed on from generation to generation. Those in the population who are not very well educated or up to date in the issues are easily persuaded and manipulated.
Of 4+ million people living in the island only about 350,000 people voted on the primary and regardless of those votes, the delegates had made up their minds before the ballots were counted because for many of those delegates there are loyalties and connections that they could not walk away from. The “popular vote” is to give the appearance of an organized democratic process. The Obama campaign knew what was going on and lacked the connections that the Clinton campaign had. This gets lost and diluted on all the excitement of results.
The average person sees both candidates as politicians that come to the island, do their dog and pony show and then leave (oh, and they do raise money there too!) Puerto Rico, its status, its people and its economic reality is not really a worry. Why should they since Puerto Ricans themselves can figure out their own status.
Here is something to think about: In Puerto Rico there is not a single black politician in office. There are women in office, but no blacks. Its as if we bypassed the conversation of race altogether. I don’t remember, ever, having seen or heard of one black politician. Why would Puerto Ricans support a black candidate when they themselves have not done this at a local level? hmmm.
Unfortunately, these are cosas that we are not supposed to talk about.
Shhhhh!
Here is something to think about: In Puerto Rico there is not a single black politician in office. There are women in office, but no blacks. Its as if we bypassed the conversation of race altogether. I don’t remember, ever, having seen or heard of one black politician. Why would Puerto Ricans support a black candidate when they themselves have not done this at a local level? hmmm.
Unfortunately, these are cosas that we are not supposed to talk about.
Shhhhh!
1 comment:
Came across your blog on LatinoPundit. The new political party here called PRPR(PuertoRicans for Puerto Rico) has their candidate who I think might be darker than Obama. Check out the link http://www.porpuertorico.com/.
Unfortunately, people consider anything white as pure and great. Black is considered dirty and wrong.
We have to look beyond skin color, gender, and ageism in politics. Some people will vote for McCain because he is white. Some people won't because he is too old. Some people won't vote for Obama because he is black. Other's say he lacks political experience.
Educating oneself about the candidates is the best thing to do.
But not everyone will do that. It happens here all the time. No one takes the time to research candidates and their political perspectives.
We must remind people to learn all they can about the politicians in office, whether here or in the U.S. We need to understand who these people are that will be making the decisions in government and what the long term affects will be on us, the citizens who put them there in the first place.
Saludos,
Lucilla
Coamo, Puerto Rico
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