The Puerto Ricans: Protest or Submission?

Abstract

The situation of Puerto Ricans in the United States cannot be seen as abstracted from that of those living in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has been a colony of the United States since 1898, and the most pervasive characteristic of its population—both in the Island and in the Mainland—is its colonialist mentality or world view: hence, the attitude of sub mission and acquiescence characteristic of the Puerto Ricans. The only forces in Puerto Rico that represent Puerto Rican pro test against the perpetuation of colonialism in Puerto Rico are the proindependence groups. In this respect, their goal is simi lar to that of the Black Power advocates in the United States, because both groups are faced with a similar situation. Only when Puerto Ricans have achieved decolonization, both psycho logically and politically, will they be able to come of age as a true protest movement. Otherwise they run the risk of a total destruction of Puerto Rican nationality, and cultural assimila tion by the United States.