The American holiday of Fourth of July kicks off a month of mourning and reflection for this Puerto Rican. It’s not my holiday to celebrate…yet. I don’t attend parades, picnics, concerts, or fireworks displays. After all, Puerto Rico isn’t part of the US Independence Day story. We aren’t descendants of the British settlers. My great great great no one came here on the Mayflower or any ship from England. My ancestors were living under the colonial rule of Spain during the American Revolution. July 4 is a national holiday celebrated to commemorate the legal separation between the thirteen US colonies from Great Britain; however, Puerto Rico has been living under colonial rule imposed by the United States since 1898.
Of all Spanish colonial possessions in the Americas, Puerto Rico is the only territory that never gained its independence.
Puerto Rico has lived under colonial power for 530 years since 1493. First the Spanish Conquistadors declared it Spain. They enslaved my indigenous ancestors, forced them to deny their gods, learn Spanish, convert to Catholicism, and of course raped our female ancestors. My family’s colonial last names of Galarza-Rivera Segarra and Ramos-Garcia-Santiago are evidence of those acts.
Fast forward to 1898 - With the 114 years removed from the Declaration of Independence, the US military and administration set their sights on Spain’s colonies in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and Cuba and Pacific, Guam and the Philippines. From May 8 to August 3, 1898, the Spanish-American War lasted a minute from a war perspective. On July 25, 1898, McKinley - Roosevelt’s soldiers landed on the shores of Guanica taking over Yauco, Ponce, Penuelas – my mother’s land. July 25th is Occupation Day in Puerto Rico.
Why are you so obsessed with colonialism? It was then.
Colonialism never left. It just got rebranded.
The Insular Laws which govern Puerto Rico continue to limit prosperity for Puerto Ricans on the island
Crypto billionaires and other American owned businesses do not pay taxes on their capital gains as long as they live in PR for 183 days. Puerto Rican owned businesses are not provided this benefit.
Puerto Rico imports 85% of its food, yet, the Jones Act forces Puerto Rico to receive goods from other countries than the US to keep food and consumer costs down.
Since the pandemic, interpersonal violence increased globally by 25-33% but in Puerto Rico, the rates increased by 83%.
Puerto Rican residents do not have the same property rights protection as they would if they owned property in the US
Puerto Rico has become a housing haven for the rich while displacing locals
My PR Independence Day Rituals
I lit my ofrenda to pay respects to my ancestors
I will read the recently published FBI file on Pedro Albizu Campos
I will read Vida y Hacienda: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos
I will write a letter to elder Oscar Lopez Rivera asking for his blessing
I will read the works of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg
I will dance bomba
I will read more chapters of my big ass history book about the Spanish – American War
I will attend my weekly Taino language class
I will continue to observe July 25 as Occupation Day
I will envision a free vibrant Puerto Rico as I listen to my Freedom playlist
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