Re: Obama, Colonialism, and Immigration Reform

Dr. Cruz,

Its great to see all of these issues you’ve been raising – so much to respond to!

Regarding the status of Puerto Rico – a quick read through the island’s history and current status debate drives home the glaring contradictions in our own foreign policy with China and Tibet. One of the things that frustrates me the most about that contradiction is how unaware most people in the U.S. are as to the history of U.S. occupation of Puerto Rico.  I bet that readers would be surprised to hear that as recently as last summer the UN issued a statement calling for the U.S. to release Puerto Rican political prisoners and United States to “expedite a process that would allow the Puerto Rican people to exercise fully their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.” Those who responded to your blog post reinforced the point that there is a silence in U.S. politics around Puerto Rico that is hypocritical. I very much appreciated Mariza Stanchich’s comment on your post as a response to what we are dealing with both in terms of the complexity of the issue and her process of learning about it – she includes some excellent references. I was horrified to find out in a recent visit to Puerto Rico that despite the U.S. citizen status of Puerto Ricans, they would not be included in the health care reform that may be passed.

Additionally, I am compelled to raise this contradiction as a member of a church who participated in this colonization process. In 1898, American Baptist, Congregational, Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Disciples of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran, Christian and Missionary Alliance and Evangelical United Brethren churches all signed a Comity agreement to geographically divide the island for a coordinated evangelizing. The same year the U.S. invaded. I am frustrated that the self determination of Puerto Rico is so non-pressing for our church communities.

I also thank you for raising the issue of immigration reform – this is a very important week to talk about it. I know many friends and compañeros/as who will be in DC this Sunday who are asking the very same questions that you are and demanding a comprehensive immigration reform. For those who have not been actively participating in the immigrant rights movement, it might be surprising to hear those numbers you mentioned of deported and detained immigrants. Obama has essentially escalated the policies that were inaugurated under the Bush administration, but has done so quietly. There are so many horrific stories about lack of medical care and overcrowding in detention centers, putting immigrants children up for adoption, ect. The list goes on. I am frustrated by Obama’s continuation of Bush policies. I am angry about the ways I see people and communities I care about being hurt as a result of inaction. But I have to be honest. In the face of this, I feel at a loss. Maybe it is from watching the healthcare reform process, the apparent “no brainer” coming out of the campaign. If we are, in a sense, limping to the finish with healthcare reform, what can we hope for with immigration reform? Maybe it was my optimism in 2006, when millions of people took to the streets around the country calling for immigration reform with no clear results, that is leading to my negativity now.

In talking with friends about this Sunday’s rally in DC, it becomes clear that that there is no clear expectation that there will be tangible results. No one seems to be fooling themselves that immigration reform will get passed. Their presence on Sunday is more stemming from a need to be seen and heard in a political climate that has once again rendered immigrants invisible. A sign being carried by a farmworker traveling from South Jersey to DC will read “OBAMA – NO MORE LIES.” I find my hope not from empty promises, but from the people who refuse to be forgotten and left behind.