Recently, I met the Governor of Puerto Rico Mr. Aníbal S. Acevedo Vilá. During his visit to Boston, he saw his daughter, a freshman at Harvard; performed some official duties and went to a Red Sox game. Yes! Mr. Acevedo is a RedSox fan! A Harvard grad, he is very familiar with our city. This picture was taken at the inauguration of the office for Puerto Rican Veterans in Boston where I was taping. My mother may get a kick out of knowing I met the Puerto Rican governor. My father, not so much. You see, Puerto Rico has always struggled with its identity. Since I can remember, we had to identify with a particular political party. It was a big deal when my father decided to switch parties to vote "republicano." All it really means is to be pro statehood. My mother has always supported the party of Luis Muñoz Marin, pro commonwealth. I was most intrigued by the college students that returned home with 'ideologias independentistas' - pro independence.
Frankly, it has been a while since I've thought about this. I go back and forth on the status issue. I've always like to see all the options, all points of view. While I was living in the island, I paid close attention to politics - there was no escaping it. Families were torn between political idealism. During election year, flags were placed on top of homes representing what party they were voting for. Little by little, this has subsided. I imagine people have become disenchanted, as I have, with the issue. Meeting the governor brought back these memories.
At the inauguration, I also came to a surprising realization. During the ceremony, Aníbal Acevedo Vila was introduced as our governor, "nuestro gobernador." I've been in Boston for more years than I've lived in PR now. So hearing "nuestro gobernador," made me think. Is he my governor? He may be the governor of my 'homeland', but I had nothing to do with him being elected. So when I think of my governor, I think of Deval Patrick. Maybe it's because I voted for him. Maybe it's because I've set roots here too. Somewhere down the line something in me has shifted. Maybe I like knowing that I am part of a different struggle. I like being part of the Latino community, many nationalities and ethnic groups, striving for an America for all.
I've seen Governor Deval Patrick several times now - I attend many events that he has been invited to speak. This picture was taken at the 2007 St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast. I had to experience it at least once. Though I enjoyed the political banter, I'm still a bit idealistic. This, despite growing up in a land where it's political destiny depends on a decision by the US Congress. With it all, maybe being exposed to politics all my life will pay off - hopefully to finally see some real changes.
4 comments:
I, too attended the breakfast and like Digna did not feel the connection to the Governor of Puerto Rico when the emcee announced "nuestro gobernador."
Does that make me less Puerto Rican? and like Digna, when I met the Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, I was ecstatic (well, maybe she wasn't but I was).
Anyways, while I am always claiming recognition of my Puerto Rican heritage, I am a bit more ambivalent about connecting to Puerto Rico as a country/territory.
I came to Boston when I was 5 and have since visited Puerto Rico a number of times. Oh my god! I am going to have to say it. I am 100% Puerto Rican with absolutely no desire to return to my parent's homeland.
I would venture to say that like most other cultures who have immigrated to the U.S., there is always a threshold point where you are in between two worlds. This place is in our life could even be termed as an identity crisis or “cultural purgatory.” As I am writing this, I realize that my hands are sweaty and my heart racing a bit. Have I just committed the unthinkable and am considering myself an American. What would my family say?
Josefina
The Australians have it right. Voter turnout is 95% of registered voters because it's the law. Those who don't? A fine and in some extreme cases imprisonment. Say what you may but the results really reflect the people's choice and those kinds of numbers make it harder for irregularities to skew results. PR doesn't need it to be a law because everyone cares and votes!
Anibal is therefore really the Puerto Rican governor, no doubt. Those of us that live in the US for many years tend to disconnect from PR politics and this is understandable. However ,we are the diaspora that in some way contributes to the Puerto Rican legacy from here. In order for us to do that wisely we must remain informed and connected to some extent.He doesn't have to be "your governor" for you to make a connection or contribution in whatever form to our legacy. You can't do that if the realty of PR today is so abstract.
Also, many of us will likely never go back but American we are really not. Even if you see yourself that way, nobody else does.We would be smart to use that to our advantage instead of allowing it to be an obstacle.
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your response.
Some may seem disconnected to the issues of the island because they are more connected with the issues here.
Somewhere down the line, I stop living "con una pierna aqui y otra en PR." I in fact, I left Boston in the mid eighties (sounds like centuries ago) to live the “Puerto Rican Dream,” but reality brought me back to the states. I won’t deny; I enjoyed driving the-long-way to work, so I could drive by the ocean every morning. Anyway, the reason why we may get disconnected from the issues of the island may be tied to the collective identity we adopt when we come to this country – Latinos – completely another topic all together.
The true beauty about being part of that Diaspora you mentioned is that we can speak to the true issues of the island, not their political status, but about unemployment, healthcare and the economic situation – everyone is living beyond their means and with little or no healthcare. What about pollution and the misuse of the island’s natural resources? It seems that every Puerto Rican over the age of 16 owns a car.
I do agree that we should remain informed and because I still have my parents there, I do stay connected. You also bring up another great topic – it is our “Americanism.” You claim “nobody else 'believes' we are Americans…” I don’t let others define me, but tell me what do you consider to be an American?
Definitions of American:
a native or inhabitant of the United States
American English: the English language as used in the United States
of or relating to the United States of America or its people or language or culture; "American citizens"; "American English"; "the American dream"
of or relating to or characteristic of the continents and islands of the Americas; "the American hemisphere"; "American flora and fauna"
a native or inhabitant of a North American or Central American or South American country
Puerto Ricans are Americans – not Puerto Rican American (eso es un tremendo disparate). As you know, we are US citizens and if you live in the states, participate in the voting process and contribute to our economy, then are you an American. My father was an US Marine during the Korean War – if not that, what else can give every Puerto Rican the right to claim our "Americanidad"!
The face of America is changing, everyone is aware of this. Even though my soul flies to Puerto Rico every now and then, I’m also part of the fabric of this nation – le guste al que le guste. So I enjoy my “dualidad” as much as my bilingualism and the love for two countries.
U certainly look happier in the pic with Deval! :)
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