[L_F_Miranda]

RPR

One of the flaws of "Puerto Rican Think" is that it's directed inwards. Maybe its a normal human characteristic, that destiny is in our hands. Maybe the problem has been that we've internalized what we've learned in American Government 101 and Democracy 101 in High School? Maybe we haven't learned to understand the nuances of how the world REALLY WORKS?

My two cents.

I think the world of colonials a.k.a. dependent people, is always missing the complete picture. We really don't decide much. We exist within the whims and interests of the Metropolis, despite what majorities in the colony want. If our aspirations fall within the scheme of the metrolpolis, so be it, if not, we are in deep trouble.

Its sad, even fatalistic to think this way, some might say pessimistic, but I see it as political reality. Some out there also might call it Real Politiks.

If we take a stroll through Puerto Rican blogs and forums, there is a constant "Dime y Direte" centered on our status choices. Its Strange, but no one ever touches on, or even speculates, on what might be the interests of Americans towards us, specially after 1989, when Communism began to collapse. Many of us are still thinking in terms of evil empires, Communism, Fidel Castro and invasions from rinky dink islamo-facist 12th century rag heads.

In the mean time, we've stood passively by as the Navy dismantled its S.A.C bases and left Vieques, once called the crowning Jewel of American defense. We haven't got a clue why they left, no one talks about that. We haven't figured out why federal institutions have discredited statehoders and PPD, the only friends Gringos had on the island during the Cold War. We were overjoyed and confused when presidential studies have declared us officially an un-incorporated territory, a.k.a. colony. We've tended to dismiss the recent controversy on immigration, and how all presidential candidates have stressed assimilation for immigrants, meaning, Learn English! We haven't got a clue on how all of this has anything to do with us or affects our future.

On the island they say, that's not for us because we already are American citizens, "allá esos imigrantes."

How does all this affect us? Duhhhhhhhhhhhhh Nobody knows or cares. If they did, they sure are quiet! I guess Its easier to continue with the sterile status debate and OUR choices, then follow up with the weekly sales at Wal-Mart.

Although I do understand that trying to figure out Gringo intentions towards us is frustrating, just speculation, but isn't the continous "Dime y Diretes" on status choices the same thing?

I think we should concentrate our energies, not on what we want, but on how we fit into the political paradigams established by the end of the Cold War, and the new re-nationalization of the United States.

But maybe that's too complex, therefore we might as well continue with the "safe arguments" of what WE WANT and forget other painful realities.