It\u2019s Hispanic Heritage Month, and every year I reflect on my own Hispanic heritage and what it means to me. September 20th marked the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Maria making landfall on Puerto Rico. I remember Maria as my dad updating me on the status of our relatives on the island. I remember hoping they would be okay.<\/p>\n
Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017 just like Maria. However, in a span of six days, Texas
\nreceived 100 billion in relief while PR received 6 billion. Donald Trump, who was in his first term as president, in a snarky demeanor compared Maria to Katrina and commented on how the death toll in PR was \u201clike what? 17?\u201d.<\/p>\n
3,000 people died.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m thinking about Hurricane Maria because of Bad Bunny, the global Latino superstar. He
\nfinished up his residency of concerts in Bayam\u00f3n on September 20th, as an homage to Maria\u2019s anniversary. He also announced a partnership with Amazon to provide disaster relief, education, and cultural pride on the island. I had said to my dad, \u201cwhy is Bad Bunny doing more for the island than the federal government?\u201d<\/p>\n
But it comes as no surprise that the government isn\u2019t privy to helping. When the federal
\ngovernment allowed American business to operate tax free on the island, this increased PR\u2019s already hefty debt toll. Since PR is not a state, they are unable to file for bankruptcy (think of Detroit). Puerto Ricans don\u2019t have any voice in the Senate or Congress. The government sterilized women, both saying it \u201cwas their only option\u201d and without their consent. FEMA denied assistance post Maria. President Trump has called PR \u201cdirty\u201d and the people \u201cpoor\u201d. The military used Vieques as a bomb site and have refused to clean up the explosives left on the island.<\/p>\n
Puerto Rico is drowning in politics, colonialism, and gentrification. I couldn\u2019t touch on
\neverything that has happened to PR, because then I would never stop. I am also thinking about the future of the island. Climate change is making hurricanes worse. If help was barely received during Maria, I can\u2019t imagine what would happen if another storm were to hit.<\/p>\n
This Hispanic Heritage Month, I implore you to think about the Latino country within our
\ncountry: a little island in the Caribbean that has more heart and grit than the entire mainland combined.<\/p>\n
\u00a1Puerto Rico, se levanta!<\/p>\n
Iliana Martinez<\/p>\n
Student Submission<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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