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.
One response
END Puerto Rico’s Federal Undemocratic Territorial Status!
–Support: EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS-DEMOCRACY for all “We the People”!–
(Patriots-Veterans for Equal Rights-USA Researched Summary)
Since 1898 (for over 126+ years)–the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR)-(with more US Citizens-US Veterans than 21 States) is under Federal undemocratic control (with NO “consent of the Governed”)-as the US Constitution is NOT fully applied! Thus, the US Federal Government must act to ensure Equal Rights; revoke unjust/biased Laws; END PR’s unfair Territorial Status!
“The Federal Government should be the Servant of ALL “We the People”; NOT the Master of some!”
Key Facts: millions of US Citizens-Veterans in PR-don’t have full Civil Rights: NO Vote for US President; NO just Representation in US Congress; NO Parity in Federal Laws, Programs, or Funding…that other US Citizens fully get; NO permanent “statutory” US Citizenship (even if moving to a State)…; are under unfair Congressional plenary power! Plus, the Federal Government autocratically controls PR’s: Borders, Currency, Laws, Security, Economy, Trade, etc.
• Per UNFAIR Territorial Clause (of 1787); unjust racist Insular Cases (of 1901-1925+); other biased Laws that discriminate & treat PR differently than other US Citizens/Veterans in the States, which goes against our core US Democratic principles!
The biased Territorial Status (without just Federal representation)–adversely affects everything—Economy/Jobs, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Social Programs…; brings instability; ties PR’s Hands to fairly compete-grow the Economy; limits progress; fuels an Exodus to the States…; is UN-AMERICAN!
“US Citizens/Veterans should come first; not Federal institutional discrimination!”
In our US Republic, the power should reside with all “We the People” (made up by Individuals)–per our Declaration of Independence that calls for “Consent of the Governed”; noble US Constitution that calls for Equal Rights-Fairness, and a Republican form of Government or a Representative Democracy! Fight for Right-END PR’s Federal undemocratic Status!
“NO Federal VOTE or just Representation = NO Democracy or a Tyranny of a Majority!”
Our Federal Government can end this unjust inequity now; amend/revoke unfair Laws that limit progress. But instead, some politically distort; spin; misinform; stereotype; provide meritless EXCUSES that blame the Victim; create double standards not applied to Other US Citizens! This results in confusion & stalemate–that perpetuates Federal subjugation!
You can’t have both ways (either support Equal Rights or Federal Domination)!
Puerto Ricans have loyally sacrificed, defended, & greatly contributed to the development of our noble USA; cherish their US Citizenship; have locally voted to END the unjust Territorial Status in 2012, 2017, 2020, & 2024 as Majority is FOR–
“PR Equality & Progress with STATEHOOD!”
But, the Federal Government continues to provide biased excuses; doesn’t act to end Federal undemocratic control!
“Support EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS; our REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY!”
FIX: Take Civic Patriotic Action/Petition our Federal Government to Act–ensure Equal Civil Rights/a Democracy for all “WE THE PEOPLE”; END Federal suppression (since 1898) of US Citizens-Veterans in the US Territory of PR; admit PR as a State or do a Plebiscite on defined Non-Territorial Options which only are: “STATEHOOD” vs “INDEPENDENCE” (or “Independence with Free Association Pact”). No retreat; no surrender to injustice! Fight for a just cause!
“We are Stronger with a Union of States!” (“En la UNIÓN está la Fuerza!”)
Our US is a diverse, but UNITED, Union of Sovereign States-with STATE: Identity, Constitution, Flag, & Sovereignty-where each State complements each other; is stronger than by it-self…; brings more Progress for the Good of All!