Bad Bunny, the megastar musician born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio and currently beginning an extended residency in Puerto Rico, has also made a name for himself as a political provocateur.
In the video above, George Laws Garcia says that Bad Bunny “has become one of the loudest voices in the conversation about Puerto Rico’s future.” His most recent album and related videos show Puerto Rico’s plight to millions of people who were not aware of the problems on the Island before. His portrayal of the Island suggests that colonial oppression and displacement of the people call for independence.
“While Bad Bunny’s music and statements imply a desire for independence, the people of Puerto Rico have consistently voted for something else entirely…Over 58% voted for statehood.” says Laws Garcia. “Democracy means listening to that collective voice, not just to the loudest one.”
Erasing Puerto Rico?
“Bad Bunny channels real fear and frustrations, feelings that resonate with many Puerto Ricans who have endured over 126 years of territorial inequality,” says Laws Garcia, agreeing that Puerto Rico’s territorial status is bad for Puerto Rico. “But instigating fear that statehood would erase Puerto Rican culture and displace Island residents is absurd.”
Laws Garcia points out that Puerto Ricans have influenced global culture for decades. Currently, nearly twice as many Puerto Ricans live in a state as in the territory. Far from withering away or being swamped by homogenous American culture, Puerto Rican culture has informed and enriched all the arts, across the nation and around the world. Puerto Rican input is visible in sports, the sciences, and in national political leadership as well.
“As for displacement,” says Laws Garcia, “it is the inequality of territorial colonialism that has pushed most Puerto Ricans to leave the Island.”
Statehood will improve Puerto Rico’s economy and quality of life as it has that of every territory that has become a state. Increased prosperity and the equal rights that come with statehood would make it possible for new people to come to Puerto Rico and for people who were forced to leave to return. This will solve the problems caused by the population crisis and create a virtuous circle for prosperity.
Bad Bunny’s rhetoric visualizes a less inclusive, less prosperous future. As a state, Puerto Rico will be in a position to welcome more people, to grow the economy, and to develop a better quality of life for all residents.
Now what?
“If we truly believe in democracy,” Laws Garcia concludes, “we must respect what happens when millions of Puerto Ricans speak together through their votes.” What happened was — in all four plebiscites held during this century — a majority voting for statehood.
The people who will be most affected by the resolution of Puerto Rico’s political status have voted multiple times for the equal rights and equal opportunity that come with statehood. But it is the U.S. Congress that has the power to admit Puerto Rico as a state. Puerto Rico does not have a vote in Congress. If you live in a state, please reach out to your representatives and ask them to get on the right side of history and make Puerto Rico the 51st state of the Union.
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