Poverty Crisis in the heart of the island

Mrkpytn wrote:

Puerto Rico seems like a country where what works on the mainland does not work as well here. Hawaii is in a similar situation. These native cultures do not adapt so easily to a different kind of culture forced upon them. Hawaii has the largest homeless population in the US. Native Americans are as challenged.

There are several common areas between them:
1) All 3 were colonized / taken over in the past by a European type culture
2) All the natives are poor, sure there are exceptions. But basically we are talking haves and haves not.
3) All had strong culture, they are used to do things their way, American / European ways were forced into them
4) Regardless, the vast majority did not vote to be assimilated, most did not vote and the minority ruled.
5) Not as educated on average, most can't afford it, not that many college degrees either. Specially before the last 30 years
6) Last but not least they all had their own language and were forced to accept English.
7) They lost their lands and their agriculture were changed from internal consumption to export agriculture. For the hunters, their hunting was curtailed. Some were shoved into reservations.

annabfalter wrote:

6) Last but not least they all had their own language and had to adapt to English.

Spanish is not the native language there, either.  That died out with the Tainos.  Just sayin'

You are right about that but they spoke Spanish for 400 years and today after 119 years under the US only a portion speaks English and not necessarily at home, we are speaking natives, not second or third generation born in the US mainland.

Psych2 wrote:

Hey Rey,
That's an easy answer.  When I come to Luquillo Beach in December, let's have a cup of coffee and I will explain to you the cause and the reason for the strife!

I won't be in the island in December so you will need to beam it to me Psych way.

Aharkness wrote:

Nothing to add but found the article very interesting... thank you!

You are welcome.

Several members have been looking at Las Marias and other towns at the edges of the central part of PR. Due to economic conditions there it is cheap to buy land and properties there but the towns are rather poor.

This makes it important when it comes to hiring help but there are negatives also such as having to drive long distances to perform any government activity and petty crimes like some tools disappearing off the shed are likely due to the poverty.

annabfalter wrote:

6) Last but not least they all had their own language and had to adapt to English.

Spanish is not the native language there, either.  That died out with the Tainos.  Just sayin'

English is not the mainland's native language either. English and Christianity was imposed on the Native Americans and Africans.

ReyP wrote:

People say NY is the melting pot, layers upon layers of different ethnic groups live there. We did one better in PR ......... We stirred the pot, that is why we don't have the same issues, we interbreed which is great to create a good set of genes.

As a Nuyorican, I cosign on this! My mom is Puerto Rican with predominant European genes and my father is Puerto Rican with predominant African genes. In our culture this wouldn't be considered an inter-racial relationship because they are both Puerto Rican. My siblings and I are all a different mixture  from each other of our parents from skin tone, features and hair textures. Love that (most of us) Puerto Ricans acknowledge all of our roots without the stigma that some cultures face when they claim biracial or some mixture. On a different note, I love that there are so many open LGBT also on the island and that it is not something being shunned anymore. To see people openly and freely being themselves is a beautiful thing.

ReyP wrote:

In other words, we are Satos and proud of it.

My grandfather on my father side is a black Puerto Rican and mostly whittish Puerto Rican on my mother side. We have dirty blonds, red heads, brunets, brown eyes, hazel, blue and green eyes all in the same family just different generations. We have a very varied gene pool. We have a Spaniard somewhere in the great-great-grad dad line. My great grand mother and my grandmother on my mother side had green eyes, my mother and I have brown eyes.

From one sato to another, I agree 100%. 

ReyP wrote:

In other words, we are Satos and proud of it.

My grandfather on my father side is a black Puerto Rican and mostly whittish Puerto Rican on my mother side. We have dirty blonds, red heads, brunets, brown eyes, hazel, blue and green eyes all in the same family just different generations. We have a very varied gene pool. We have a Spaniard somewhere in the great-great-grad dad line. My great grand mother and my grandmother on my mother side had green eyes, my mother and I have brown eyes.

Yes, sounds pretty much like my family and many other Puerto Rican families I know. Both my sons are rubios and my husband and myself have dark hair. All my mom's grandchildren have either light eyes and/or light hair regardless of skin tone or texture. Melting pot culture, indeed!👊🏻👊🏼👊🏽👊🏾👊🏿🇵🇷