The Filipinos were also deluded into giving their loyalty to the U.S., fighting in the World Wars and Vietnam. But if you take a snake to warm it on your breast, it will only bite you. The U.S. breaks all its promises. Hora de despertarse y renunciar a las falsas esperanzas, tomar las riendas del propio destino, pararse, no seguir arrodillado mendigando derechos. Mira como están tratando ahora a su propia gente blanca, a lo mejor de ese pueblo, también los están tirando a la basura. Hagamos realidad nuestro propio sueño, porque tenemos que poner la propia casa en orden, ¿verdad? Construir nuestra propia hermandad que está maltrecha.
They were subjected to the draft during those wars. In fact, one reason that citizenship was bestowed was precisely so that Puerto Rican men could be drafted. Puerto Ricans become U.S. citizens, are recruited for war effort www.history.com/this-day-in-history/puerto-ricans-become-u-s-citizens-are-recruited-for-war-effort
Gracias Phillip. I'm born and raised state side but love the island. My mom worked stateside for many years and retired off to the island like many PR's do or dream of doing. I call her everyday and she tells me about the situation in P.R, -- the politics, the unemployment, the health issues, the lack of this or that and the many controversies. Makes me so sad to think about the debt crisis and the vicious cycle of poverty and stagnation. Yet I know when I visit, it's beautiful there and so are our people. I'm crushed to think about it's future . Thank you for putting this together. It's succinct and well thought out. The word's got to get out, and something got to give. Thanks again.
+Arthur Campana He First Landed In Hispaniola In 1492 Then In 1493 Landed In Puerto Rico During His Exploration. Still, He Was A Piece Of Shit 💯 #BorkienLibre #AntiImperialist
I just want to sincerely thank you for educating me on this very important issue. I am quite ashamed of myself for not being active on this. But, I assure you that I am fully awake now! I mean; that you are not alone and I will do everything I can to bring awareness. Yes, I am 100% Puertoriquena. Like the book of Ecclesiastes says, there is a time for everything. It's time!!!!!
and a time to be fucking stupid lol standing waiting for amarica hell no it not going to happen we need a revolution of peaces and demand a better economy and a better wealth > fuck being a state to amarica they rape us when they invade us Puerto Rico OK!
@@ismaeldelgado7569 You should tell your story. Either write a book, or go to the news like msnbc or some Latino civil rights organization like Blacks have the NAACP or BLM. You should not stay silent on discrimination, but go to those who really can shed light on it like a civil rights organization or the ACLU who have lawyers.
I just want to say that Puerto Rico would be better off as an independent country. I have seen what the U.S. has done to this beautiful nation, and especially the island of Vieques. How can you believe that being the 51st state of the U.S. will be any better? After over 100 years of colonial rule by the U.S., the people of Puerto Rico are no better off! Also when the U.S. made you all American citizens, it was only to allow Puerto Rican people to fight the wars for the U.S.! You were all just a sacrifice for the the greater good of the U.S. mainland. And after hurricane Maria, haven't the people of Puerto Rico learned anything yet? Independence is the only option for you period!!!
Viva Puerto Rico Libre!!! ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽I was going nice a person that wanted PR to become a state and time let me to real history that the Government hides from us in School.
Amen to this. Pedro Albizu Campos always knew we would be slaves to the US yet he was portrayed as a terrorist all for loving his homeland and voicing the truth.
It's a real shame that I wasn't taught anything about Puerto Rico in history class. I think that teachers SHOULD and MUST teach students about Puerto Rico. Many soldiers have died and put their lives on the line in these past world wars, yet many mainland Americans continue to ignore these people as if they didn't exist. It's so sad. You make many great points in this documentary. Since the territory itself is already in a tremendous amount of debt, I think it's safe to play the cards and grant it statehood, even though nothing is getting done about it at the White House. Hopefully, after the presidential elections in 2016, if we don't have a corrupt president, that Puerto Rico will be granted statehood. There have been people who have already come out with 51-star flags in preparation for a 51st state. And trust me, if I was president of the United States, I would have granted statehood to Puerto Rico in a heartbeat. This documentary made me really feel something about Puerto Rico, that it's not just another territory, but a long, lost state of the United States. My dad actually went there once, about 12 years ago, so he kind of knows what it's like. He rightfully served as an officer in the Navy. His name was David Patrick Sanders. I really hope this message can get across to more and more Americans before the time the next presidential election takes place. I'm hoping for a strong leader who won't mess things up when the time comes.
I agree, Kelsey! And on that last note, I feel Bernie Sanders (any relation? haha) is a very strong candidate to be the next President of the United States. A direct quote from his web page specific to Puerto Rico: "EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO TO DECIDE THEIR OWN DESTINY As president, Bernie will fight for a U.S. congressionally-sanctioned and binding referendum where the Puerto Rican people would be able to decide on whether to become a state, an independent country, or to reform the current Commonwealth agreement. This is an issue that should be decided by the Puerto Rican people." All the best to you.
Thanks for your concern Kelsey. Imagine if the 13 colonies had the chance to become part of the United Kingdom in 1776. Would the forefathers accept it? Does the people of Great Britain has the same culture as the people in USA.? My point is that, speaking english in Puerto Rico(only 20% of the population is bilingual the other 80% only speaks Spanish) does not make us Americans only a bilingual society. Puerto Rico is another country, culturally and politically. We were invaded in 1898, and never given the opportunity and the dignity to rule ourselves. George Washington was considered a traitor among Englishmen and a patriot among Americans, every coin has 2 sides as every story too. Is a complex subject to address in a RUclips comments section but if you are interested in this subject I recommend to you a book from Nelson A Dennis "War against all Puertoricans" The book is historical, with a lot of notes which are fascinating but the most interesting detail is that it was completed using declassified official documents from the FBI and CIA. Try to read it it will give you light about how the US government has been treating us for the past 100 years.....you'll be surprised about the findings.
“Niemand ist mehr Sklave, als der sich für frei hält, ohne es zu sein." “No hay peor esclavo que aquel que falsamente cree ser libre” "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free" Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Estoy contigo
Thank you Chuck for your kind words. One way you can help is by organizing a movement in your state to ultimately apply political pressure to West Virginia's members of Congress and generate the national discussion neccesary make change. Once again.... Thank you....
Váyase a la porra Luis, con ese fanatismo fupista…idealista pero poco pragmático. Personas como tu es lo que jode. ¿Cómo carajos Puerto Rico se va sustanciar con la sobrepoblación por milla cuadrada? No hay ni cabron espacio para sembrar y alimentarnos. Y esta isla está más allá de esos ideales muertos que ni son modelo realista con la situación vigente.
+Will Rodriguez Tienes miedo de sembrar y trabajar tu quieres welfare americano, quedate en USA traidor. A sembrar y cosechar a oponer los traidores lacayos de los americanos invasores, asesinos.
Obama will come down in history as the worst U.S president, only U.S president that has done everything against the best interest of the U.S, literally, he want to sink the U.S, a real POS along with his racist wife. He is a muslim in disguise,again a real POS.
Good luck! If my state (wv) was denied voting rights I would be very upset! I wish more people would become aware of this injustice. The inhabitants, Guam, Mariana islands, American somoa, VI, and the other Territories are just as American as I. For whatever it counts I'm pulling for you..
False we did not vote 61% it was actually just 45% since that portion of the ballad was left blank on purpose by 25% of Puertoricans so no Puerto Rico did not vote for statehood.
Leocomander Leocomander It was 61 percent. If you leave a ballot blank or it's not filled properly it's not counted. It's an invalid vote. In the U.S. this is called the residual vote. So yes, Puerto Rico DID vote for statehood. You also stated "We want to rule ourselve we don't want foreigners making decisions," well I would disagree with that statement as well. The independence movement is more like 10 percent it will never happen... And clearly no one wants to continue with the current status. The current governor who is as incompetent as President Hoover, wants an "enhanced commonwealth." Under the U.S. law what he proposes is unconstitutional... The only option is Statehood... Or if enough people join the new movement to reunify with Spain then yeah. But as of right now, Statehood is the only viable option. President Obama allocated in the 2014 spending bill $2.5 million for another, federally-sponsored referendum on the status issue in P.R.
Its weird. I am an Irishman who flew to PR in 1990. Rightfully I was asked for my passport going from Ireland to NYC. Once there I got an INTERNAL flight from NYC to San Juan PR with no requirement for a passport. I spent two weeks there and had a ball. Irish people in 1990 were mostly Roman Catholics and had 2 lovely masses in a church in La Parguera in the south of PR. The people did not know much of Ireland but we grew to love them and them us. These people use US dollars. I do not think they need passports to enter the USA. In my European mind they are Americans.
The problem in Puerto Rico is not the political status but instead the economic system which is the same that afflicts the rest of the USA which does have a $18.5 Trillion dollar debt were the Chinese are the one benefiting the most and surpassed us as the 1st economic nation in the World GDP wide in September 2014. Let's provide some economic facts about Puerto Rico. Last year 3.7 millions citizens in PR generated $104 billion dollars in GDP, the USA Federal Government distribute to the island about $5 billion (about $3.8 per person per day), and the capitalists from other states took $70 billion at the same time. That is repeated every year and there, on that equation is that reside the economic woes in PR, in that obscenity is the problem. Right now there is a popular movement in the island to consume only local products and create local business entities that control the distribution of goods locally and not from outside and to create relationships with other States, and countries such as Mexico, Spain, Panama, Colombia, Japan and others to ensure that most of the profits and gains stay locally instead of leaving to others interest outside Puerto Rico. So when the host of this program said that if PR become a state the 3.7 US citizens in the island will received $20 billions from the US treasury he is ignoring the $70 billions that are being squeeze out of our population in Puerto Rico. Since in reality USA does not provide any real economic help to PR we need to become economic independent to improve our economic quality of life. So we will take advantage of our USA citizenship and bi-cultural abilities to do that. Other interesting fact is that the World Economic Forum ranks Puerto Rico in business productivity indexes 32 in the world, 2nd in Latin America, and 1st in the Caribbean so what the people of Puerto Rico need to do is to change the equation to ensures that our production profits does not benefit others in other states. Believe me everyone in the Island is working on that right now. Truly, we are people who are used to fight and to struggle by all means necessary.
boricuapwr Poder Boricua This is the smartest thing I've heard in relation to the economy of Puerto Rico in a long time. This also makes me want to move to Puerto Rico to help this process. I think the economic woes of Puerto Rico is a tool used to force it into statehood in all honesty. Do you mind if I share your comment? Also how did you find the amount the U.S. distributed to PR?
Powder boricua you are absolutely correct. Every pundit here in the states is always talking about Puerto Rico being a "welfare" state and yet out of every $ generated by hard work the Feds return 17 cents of which seventy percent of that is return to Puerto Rico for programs that Puerto Ricans have pay for such as social security and Medicare and let us not forget the benefits provided to our veterans of which there over 300,000 living on the island. It is always said that Puerto Rico because it has no representation in congress it pays no federal taxes, well I b eg to disagree as the Puerto Rican worker although except from some federal taxes they do pay into social security and Medicare plus taxes paid for unemployment benefits and let's not forget the thousands of federal workers in Puerto Rico who pay full taxes just as if they were workers on the mainland.
Del punto de vista economico neoliberalista que es el verdadero problema cual es la diferencia entre Argentina, Grecia, Espana, Italia, Puerto Rico, Detroit, Chicago, Vallejo California, y toda la poblacion de USA? Todos la poblacion que trabaja el profesional igualmente son afectados por la inigualdad y el hecho de pruducir y hacer ricos a otros. No hay diferencia. Por que tu crees que en USA un Socialista el Senador Bernie Sanders va a ser el proximo presidente de USA. O es que no vez noticias de lo que esta pasando. Orientate mejor de como es que trabaja el sistema capitalista y como esta afectando a toda la poblacion de USA que incluye a PR.
+boricuapwr Poder Boricua You are wrong the political status and the lack of demcracy is the problem, maybe you do not have enough of education to understand this
Last year I decided that I was going to relocate to Puerto Rico and practice medicine there because it was much needed. I was born in Caguas and have plenty of family there, I was even offered a home by one of my aunts as they were all eager and welcoming in regard to my decision to relocate both myself and my practice. I am a physician and am well practiced at doing research, so I did. What shocked me was not only the extensive corruption in the island, but the major affiliation with Socialism and even Communism by the people. There are no conservatives representing the island's political arena. The so called "conservative" party was led by a representative that not only opposed the Conservative party, but also campaigned for support of Obama and Hillary Clinton. Inevitably, he was ousted for vulgarities and corruption by his administrative staff. After that, they appointed another representative who was a liberal, she too just got ousted subsequent to finding warehouses filled with undistributed disaster aid supplies. Now, they are marching and protesting under leading figure, Ricky Martin, who is an advocate for frank Communism. So, the very ideologies they profess, Socialism-Communism, are the ones suppressing them. It's no secret that PR is dominated by liberals and radicals, even Socialists and Communists. The manufactured crises' afflicting the people are intended as a strategic mechanism to ignite civil direst catalyzing revolutionary reaction. Later, an Authoritarian government emerges with the appearance of being the stabilizing element which the people suffering from crises willingly submit to. This is Classical Marxism! Expect to see Pay-To-Play schemes exposed. If I had a say, I would campaign for State-Hood; but, first attend to the corruption and work at rejecting Socialism and Communism altogether as an ideology. I would even consider Sovereignty, Independence, but with a close treaty with the USA. But, both solutions necessitate Patriotism and Americanism, while retaining "Boriqualism" as part of a "Make Puerto Rico Great Again" sister movement of MAGA/KAG. Crony-Capitalism/Global Corporatocracy (of both traditional Republican Party; and, even more pronounced in the Democratic Party), Progressivism (which is an amalgamation of Democratic Socialism, Communism, Islamic-Sharia-Jihadism, Pedophlic-Hollywood Childhood Sexualization, Totalitarian-Authoritarian Climate Cultism, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Christian-Pro-Atheistic-Mysticism & Frank Satanism) all must be rejected by the people if we are to regain our dignity and strength as a productive and "Free" people deserving of a government OF & FOR "We The People" of Puerto Rico and America.
They know if Puerto Rico became a voting state it would drastically change the outcome of the presidency. 3.5 million is a lot of votes. I wonder if Guam or Samoa has this issue.
I hope the Republicans decide to allow Puerto Rico to become a State of the USA. They had gone to Vietnam etc. Yet we cannot vote. Why are we a territory? Just like slavery, we belong to the USA. Give us the liberty to become a State.
@@DavidRodriguez-ww8jfthe more you kneel, the more you loose dignity, a Nation that kneels to another looses their identity. ¿Usted cree que USA le va a dar la Estadidad a personas que traicionan a su propia gente? 😂😂😂 Yo en mi casa no quiero traicioneros. Es algo moral.
There are other truths that were not discussed in this video. The fact that the United States government (UNG) is today committing a crime against humanity by having maintained Puerto Rico as its colony for the past 76 years. The USG has never complied with the United Nations’ (UN) Charter of 1945 that prohibits colonialism. The fact that the USG has never complied with 39 UN resolutions asking it to immediately return Puerto Rico sovereignty to the Puerto Ricans. webtv.un.org/watch/5th-meeting-committee-of-24-special-committee-on-decolonization/6051725003001 The fact that Puerto Ricans should not to be trying to solve our colonial problem via the empire. As this video convincingly demonstrated, the USG has no intention of decolonizing Puerto Rico, or granting statehood to people it deems belonging to an inferior race! The only way Puerto Rico could ever become be a US state is by getting the Puerto Ricans out of our homeland. I too want to see Puerto Ricans united. We have waited, 123 years, much too long! We must not wait any longer for leaders to do what the people should be doing for ourselves. We must engage in permanent resistance to force the USG to comply with international law. If we don’t, we will continue to be a US colony now, tomorrow and forever! And now you know the rest of the story.
Puerto Rican’s was invaded by the United States. Puerto Rican’s are not treated or have the same right like the Americans do. Please just give us our independence. If Puerto Ricans protest against Ricardo Rosselló (government) and got him, out, we have the power to ask for our independence. However Puerto Rican’s are divided some want statehood. Puerto Rico future is in a limbo.
This why they came after me in Michigan, when I was trying to buy the Pontiac silver dome and tear it down for 1 million dollars, then rebuild a 100 million dollar technology academy for poor black and Puerto Rican children, cause they don’t want us to HAVE ANY POWER. My mission is just getting started so one day our communities will be FREE, mentally, physically and financially.
God Bless Puerto Rico, the beautiful island of love and satisfaction. When in actuality, it's just a military geographic advantage for America, but at the same time I live in America and am glad we can come and go as we please, also what can a little island do against a big American country of power beyond our recognition. We did our best to stay independent, but we lost, so what do we do, enjoy our benefits that many people from other countries can't do. Those other people are paying thousands of dollars just to get to America, Ok we are suffering in Puerto Rico not starving, but we can fix it, also we are proud as any body in this world, so regardless of our situation, many of us are doing great thank God. So don't really see America as a big bully because Spain did the same and America just took over and gave us a better life than them, and again be proud like we are regardless of the current situation. God Bless Puerto Rico. Good heads up Arroyo.
TWISTED exactly man im Mexican. Mexico is independent and beautiful but yet so many Mexicans are jumping the border. because they cant live a good life in Mexico. and so many murders from the cartels the government is corrupt and screws over the poor
Puerto Rico is not doing ok. Not everything has to do with having food on the table. We are not able to vote for POTUS...we don't have the rights most US citizens have. Our men and women have died in wars....but we don't get to vote for our Commander in Chief. The problem of Puerto Rico is its political class, not the US. No formal statehood petition have been submitted...by any Governor...EVER. Even after referendums in which the people support statehood. The truth is the local political class is corrupt and want to keep the status quo as it is...because they all benefit from it. Changing things will end their insular supremacy. Meanwhile...a country with the level of education of an eight grader keep backing up this insular political class...that misinforms...justifies its doings and steal most of our money. None of this has to do with what the US has done here. Without the US we would be another third world country...but since 1952...when we got to elect our own insular govt...local politicians have enjoyed prosperity maintaining a colonial system that benefits only them. It is the insular politicians who are the main obstacle for the people of PR to enjoy all the rights US citizenship brings.
@J D The military significance of PR is a myth....specially after the end of WW2. This idea is still part of the insular mindframe...just a way of feeling important at a national level. Bit it is not true.
Thank you so much Mr. Phillip Arroyo for sharing this amazing mini-documentary. We will continue to raise our voices and help our amazing and beautiful island Puerto Rico and our awesome people!! God bless you and your love ones as I pray he continue blessing our island and all us around the world.
StateHood is No Longer an Option,,, Freedom is.. Where are The leaders Courageous enough to do the Right thing you ask?.. The Right thing Is Liberty and Freedom.... Self Determination...
We (Puerto Rican's) for many-many yrs. have been treated like 2nd class citizens & even to call us aliens? People from the island of Puerto Rico or born in the USA are "American Citizens". That is for certain. So why congress doesn't fix this issue giving (all) Puerto Rican's on the right to vote? I do. I was born in N.Y.C. Someone, like Phillip Arroyo who is a super smart young man need to start a petition on change dot org to get many signatures to get the ball rolling!? Will this help?? We are humans who deserve respect just like anyone else.
The same presidents that they can't vote for are the same presidents that established and approved of the draft that sent many Puerto Ricans to their death in USA wars.
This term I've been teaching middle school history on the Spanish Conquest as well as European colonization of the US. Ironic that Puerto Rico which was among the first discoveries/colonies in this region is still a colony - of the United States of America! This is the only instance in human history where a past colony has become an exploitative Imperialist itself.
@Russell scott. Puerto Rico's dept is due to an inability to become self sufficient. This inability stems from laws the united states have making it illegal for Puerto Rico , an island, to produce its own ships and trades. An island that can not legally import or export goods. United states laws make it so that ANY and ALL imports must first be unloaded from the foreign cargo ship by american nationalists then loaded onto ships operated and/or owned by american nationalists before they can be shipped to there destination. Any export from the island must be transported by american nationalists off the island. so any company that is not owned by an american nationalist can not operate in Puerto Rico.
Beautifully filmed Phillip Arroyo, as a person born and raised in New Jersey, and now for the past 5 years living on the Island of Puerto Rico, this struck a cord...Thank you.
Puerto Rico needs to become a free Nation . Thank You Phillip Arroyo for keep the masses informed on how the US government is taking advantage of P.R. for almost 100 years . Statehood noway Jose . Yankee go home .
Thank you for an interesting video. But here's an even a harder truth that needs to be told: We should be ashamed of ourselves! Puerto Rico was invaded! And the people of Puerto Rico will never truly find peace unless they grow the maracas to cut all ties that place them under the subjugation of their once invader and now overlords and claim their right to self-government much in the way that the United States itself did back in 1776. As such, no more commonwealth or talk of statehood. Redemption lies only in international equality, which amounts only to independence. Anything less does no justice to freedom nor the historical struggles by past Puerto Rican heroes to achieve it.
Thank you it pains me because I am Puerto Ricans and it seems like we are traitors to our own country (Puerto Rico) we dont support its culture and the fact that we should be independent.
En Puerto Rico se habla español. No inglés. Y los que sabemos hablar inglés lo hacemos cuando viajamos y cuando hablamos con los turistas, pero en Puerto Rico hablamos español porque ese es el idioma de la identidad hispana Puertorriqueña.
*y no puedo creer que todavia haya gente en puerto rico que apoye la union con ese pais esclavista, despues de que los han sangrado y tratado como esclavos....PUERTO RICO INDEPENDENCIA...*
Oh my God, what a wonderful job you have done here. You deserve an award. Very nice. It's was a very educational video. I hope that every American Citizens in the main land can watch this, and understand more what Puerto Rico is all about. I'm 51 years old and I don't want to die knowing that Puerto Rico Status is the same since the day I was born there. I support Statehood 100% . And the way things are going this days in Puerto Rico. Statehood is the only solution to delete those 3 political party one and for all. God Bless You and keep on the good work. Very nicely Done!
Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida along with Puerto Ricans that were with Juan Ponce de Leon in his Florida discovery and that's where Juan Ponce de Leon die. and many Puerto Ricans remained in Florida, and some got killed by the Indians in Florida. The reality of the matter is, that no matter what the Puerto Ricans tries to do the Americans always come up with one of theirs. In reality, I don't see the problems in regard to the Puerto Rican people in the U.S. because the problems fall back into the Americans labs, because all the Puerto Ricans got to do is create lots of babies and also for the Puerto Ricans not to lose their language and culture. and being that there is no official language in the U.S. we can communicate in Spanish all we want, and they got to accept it because Puerto Rico is part of the U.S. This is like placing the transmission in reverse.
Phillip lo que presentas es cierto pero lamento recordarte o decirte por si no lo sabias, lo que nos advirtió hace décadas Don Pedro Albizu Campos, " LO QUE LE INTERESA AL AMERICANO ES LA JAULA, NO LOS PAJAROS ".
My first time seeing this. Thank you for enlightening those of us who do not have a clue. Even my Puerto Rican friends, like African Americans, do not know their history. Very interesting.
If we become a state our debt will add to theirs, and with an even bigger debt the US will go bankrupt and take us along with them. With independence we get a fresh start, a rebirth, more chances, better options. But then again too many ignorant voters #VendePatria
Excelente vídeo. Lo que no entiendo es la solución al problema. Es decir, si E.U ha sido tan injusto con PR ,cómo puede ser la anexión una solución al problema? Es como si una mujer violada quisiera casarse con aquel que la violó con el fin de que se le haga justicia.
No es la solucion, para resolver los problemas financieros, si fuese asi, no estarisn varios estados al borde de ls quiebra, y cuidades ya en quiebra. La estadidad no es ls solucion, ademas en estados unidos tu votas por el presidente y pueda que tenga mayoria del voto popular, pero no obtuvo los votos electorales, por lo tanto aunque cogio mas voto no gano. Eso no es democracia.
+Gustavo Quinones Que bien lo has definido estoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo, ..."Es como si una mujer violada quisiera casarse con aquel que la violó con el fin de que se le haga justicia."...
Thank you to the Puerto Ricans who proudly served the US Military....Sincerely, a former soldier. 82nd ABN DIV. Puerto Rico should become our 51st state. They deserve representation...
Thank you so much for presenting this video. You could have not said it any better. Thank you so much. I am very proud of being Puertorriqueña Americana🙏❤️🇵🇷🇺🇸
I was born and raised in PR. If you wish to vote for the president, just move to one of the 50 states and register to vote. I did, and I voted in this past elections for the President.
you lost my interest when you said that in Puerto Rico both language are spoken when the vast majority of people refuse to learn it and speak it, and are not even taught English in English. classes are taught in Spanish. I went to school in Puerto Rico. no one teaches that we are Americans and to be proud of it. We have chosen to alienate ourselves from the main land insisting on being separate but together... A lot of our problems is this fact alone. I want Congress to help Puerto Rico restructure and become what it should have been from the beginning, a great, beautiful land of hard working Americans without entitlements and second class citizenship.
“Niemand ist mehr Sklave, als der sich für frei hält, ohne es zu sein." “No hay peor esclavo que aquel que falsamente cree ser libre” "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free" Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Do you have children? Don't they need to go on their very own? They need to be independent from you. Perhaps marry and have children on their own. Unless you have a huge big house that you OWN. Rich Port needs to leave POPPA and seek new horizons for their future is bleak begging for help from its Oppressors. FREEDOM, is the greatest gift to Man which he seeks to bear. BTW my people are from the true name of Boriken where the aboriginal people of the earth are from.
masterdeeable1 If we went by your logic we'd dissolve the entire nation. But I'll use your example nonetheless... When you have kids you don't play favorites or exclude anyone... Right now Puerto Rico is the black duck, he's being excluded when he should be getting invited to family gatherings.
All countries need their Independence. My idea is not logic it is Facts. The unadulterated Truth. BORIKEN has been BLACK BALLED and was tricked and deceived by the United States government in using the Island for strategic purposes . When the great Don Albizus Campos warned the Island of the Yankees invading the Island the US had an agenda in destroying and sending the young men from the Island into the Korean War and imported Drugs,Guns, and Alcohol to break them down economically, and keep their mindset occupied in foolishness using TV's, Prostitution and incorporating American culture. Study and master yourself and then Master and Study American history. That way you can bear witness to it yourself.
¿Y todavía no acabas de entender que la "Novia" NO nos Quiere. En su actitud arrogante, despectiva y racista, para los politiqueros estadounidenses (el congreso), "Puerto Rico es un canto de tierra lleno de gente". Eso es todo. Es por eso, que desde un principio, lo declararon un Territorio NO Incorporado. Despierta Phillip, la única opción de Puerto Rico (y siempre la ha sido) es la misma opción de TODO el resto de las naciones del planeta, incluyendo a los EU, su Soberanía e Independencia. ¡PUNTO!
excellent documentary...this opened my eyes...I did not know puerto Ricans can't vote...that's crap...I do have one question...I served in the military with a lot of Puerto ricans...great guys...I'm pretty sure they are all citizens....but, is it easy to get citizenship? so,they can vote.
We vote if we move to the states, any other American citizen who's residence is in P.R. can't vote in presidential elections. It's not a Puertorican thing as they make it to be. I live in the East Coast, was born and raised in Yauco, and vote in all elections.
Citizenship was given to Puerto Ricans one month before they were drafted to WWI in 1917,even though P.R House of representatives voted no to U.S citizenship.
As mentioned above, Puertorican people are Natural born American Citizens. The voting issue has nothing to do with the citizenship. Any American citizen who resides in an American territory cannot vote in the presidential elections. Only American citizens whose legal residence (the one reported to IRS) is in DC or any of the 50 states can vote in the presidential elections. This is true for Guam, US Virgin Islands and PR. American Samoa citizens are American Nationals and therefore cannot vote even if their residence is one of the 50 states or DC.
This message is to all on this comment forum: I'm Puerto Rican and our people are spread all over the world and there is only one thing I'm certain of all Puerto Ricans no matter where they may be carry Puerto Rico in their hearts. We don't leave Puerto Rico in our being, our hearts and our thoughts as the island, it's beauty and history is always omnipresent within us. I don't know why this is so it is hard to explain but it is what it is. We leave the island only in the physical sense, the island remains within. God bless you all.
Excellent Video , must be viewed to understand Puerto Rico . My Dad was at the Normandy invasion and the battle of the Bulge as a Combat MP with the 397th US Combat MP Battalion. My uncle received a silver star in the Pacific during WWII and my Cousin was an Air force Nurse during the first Gulf War. My family always believed that Puerto Rico and the US are one and the same. Please support Puerto Rico for full US Citizenship and equal status with all Americans. All Americans are Puerto Rican and all Puerto Ricans are American . We are all american citizens and should have the same rights.
La estadía de para p. R..es una abominación,,,p.r. Solo tiene una salida y esa es la independencia,les guste o no,p.r. No es un estado p.r. Es una nación,con su propio idioma con sus propias costumbres,aunque llevamos más de un siglo con usa.seguimos siendo quienes somos nunca nos vamos a asimilar por qué somos puertorriqueños .
Te veré cojiendo una yola para la República Dominicana cdo Puerto Rico sea independiente... lo mas seguro to también eres una coje cupones malagradecida terrorista independentista. Ojalá y q la fuerza de choque te haya ya dado unos cuantas bofetás a ti también x estar de revoltosos haciendo huelgas y protestas donde quiera... Si la fuerza de choque no te ha dado un buen bofetón aún, no puedes decir q eres una verdadera independentista.
Richard Clifford It'd be a nice idea but I wouldn't listen to that mediocre commenter above me. It's bad enough PR is right on the edge of a financial collapse and ruin, so independence will just seal PR's fate. There are barely enough resources to go around with rampant unemployment and agriculture being at an all time low. Most of the population would end up suffering miserably while the few wealthy escape to the US or other countries. Most likely, everyone else with the means would leave and not look back while searching for work abroad and a better way of life. Independence is a great word and what it stands for....but in this case, it turns out to be a curse word.....
+Richard Clifford It'd be a nice idea but I wouldn't listen to that mediocre commenter above me. 118 years have passed, most of our history lost, it has been a looong struggle to keep even our identity, most of those who do not support independence have been brainwashed and will write comment like the one above. Yes, we are flat broke and our best talent is flying away on JetBlue Planes. There has been a constant attack on those who want independence, persecuted, jailed and even killed by local and federal authorities (Last ones were Filiberto Ojeda, killed by FBI, 19 people killed and several dozen wounded in a peaceful march in the Ponce Massacre and the two kids killed in Cerro Maravilla, not to mention those killed by the Cuban exile, Google it!) The rest do not have the balls to fight for their freedom, they are afraid of independence and will make up all kinds of excuses and justification. But I do believe that if we achieve our independence it will be a world event and there are many nations that will stand by us, we are a very resilent people and we can achieve great things in this little island if we put our minds, hearts and hands to it. I respectfully appreciate your comment.
If 54% decided that they wanted a change in status, that means 46% did not, meaning that they did NOT want a change to statehood or independence, and 61% of 54% is 33% that wanted statehood, but because apparenty YOU, Phillip Arroyo, want statehood, you affirm that the majority of Puerto Ricans do and then accuse Congress and the President of not giving you what a MAJORITY of you did NOT vote for in the first place. Yo soy norteamericano y no de raza puertorriquena. Sin embargo, yo residi en la isla del encanto por mas de seis anos, y solo me fui de la isla porque ya no queria continuar residiendo en la "flor cautiva" (como cantaba mi amigo Antonio "El Topo" Caban del Valle en su famosisima cancion "Verde Luz") de los EU, y menos despues de que gano Fortuno, y resulta que tenia la razon. Despues de Fortuno, Puerto Rico se convirtio en el desastre irrescatable que es hoy dia. Y hasta el sol de hoy, sigo diciendo, y por siempre, dire que Puerto Rico necesita independizarse de los Estados Unidos para preservar su herencia, su cultura, y reestablecer su dignidad. En cambio, muchos estadistas como usted quiere estadidad e identidad nacional a la vez. Sorry, my friend. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Either you be the "vendepatrias cobardes" that some of you are and become a state, thereby renouncing your own cultural identity and become gringos, keep being the slaves you are, or leave this dysfunctional relationship once and for all and become FREE. Since when did freedom and independence to govern yourselves and make your own decisions become such an absurd concept. SIENDO GRINGO, YO LO DIGO TANTO COMO CUALQUIER INDEPENDENTISTA BORINQUENO - INDEPENDENCIA YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+Ted Kirk Actually my friend, you should watch part two of the series, it takes a wayyy different tone, I think you will like it. In part one, I called Phillip, Uncle Tom Arroyo, now I want to take it back...
It's up to the rest of us Puerto Ricans scattered throughout the states to make a difference. I take great pride in voting because I know that my Abuelita can't. Aloha from Hawaii🌋 and Viva Puerto Rico!🇵🇷
Puerto Rico es un país independiente, y ya puede venir la mayor potencia militar Yanki o el mismísimo diablo a plantar su bandera, que al Grandioso Puerto Rico no lo subyuga ni dios... Saludos de un español, ¡ QUE VIVA PUERTO RICO !
Angel Martinez Angel you can't deal with blowhards like these, they are just a pack of Hypocrites. they like to scream & yell. Just like the traitorous loving Confederates & neo-Nazis.
My father served in WW2. Many of our people are loyal to the US, but we're not considered anything, but "property" to them. Such a fucked up situation. I appreciate you my brother Phillip. Thanks for the video.
This video is so biast and wrongly made. Lets begin. First of It is USA rights as owners of their lands to do as they please with them, if you own something would you let someone else tell you what to do with it? Second, The language of PR is Spanish NOT English, the fact that you have a few thumb butt rich high class in San Juan ho have kids in school with a 30 minute English mandated class does not mean PR is an English speaking island. There are many more point here to make but I love how they call and island a country when it is not. Disagree, then why if it is a country it is under a convenient rule known as ELA, which everyone knows it takes the position of, if we feel like been American we use such illegal ways to be so as far as PR government gains $$$ in the end but if we do not like USA new legislation, rule or law on the island we claim we are still under the Spain rule. PR is a two face liars and anyone who claims to love the island clearly knows nothing about its government. To end it I bet you yourself voted for Alejandro Padilla, how do I know this because you are part of the exodus who fled out of the island like the Cubans did when they voted for Castro and days later realized the mistake and fled the island.
Daniel you're crazy, you don't make any sense at all. Puerto Rican legislators and governors all they've tried to do is get congress to act upon the request that Puerto Ricans vote upon. Puerto Rico is not part of the U.S., it belongs to the U.S. ( it is a property of the U.S.) therefore the constitution what ever is left of it clearly says that property of the U.S. Is to be handled by the congress of the of the U.S. So all Puerto Ricans are asking is what is the congress willing to do to move this status proses forward, how will independence be handled or statehood if that were the case. Look at the video again and pay attention you may well learn something. Mind you I don't agree with everything Mr. arroyo says but he is right in most of what he says. Also our citizenship is second class and is one of the reasons we cannot vote for president although we have a lot of the responsibilities that go along with citizenship. Also the U.S. Gets more out of Puerto Rico than it gives back, that is not surprising as that is the case with most of the 50 states. It is not what the so called pundits say, as they're always talking how much the island gets from Uncle Sam, they never out of ignorance talk about what Puerto Rico contributes to the U.S. If it was the other way around the congress would have let us go a long time ago.
Daniel, if you want to have an opinion on all this you need to start studying and learning because everything you said is incorrect. castro was never voted in. He won a revolution. Puerto rico is a spanish and english speaking island. There, you just learned a couple of things. Now keep studying. and maybe next time you make a comment here you can make sense.
Trancelike, where on earth did you get your education? You talk about P.R. That it is not a country because it is an island, well there are an innumerable amount of countries that are islands, I mean Malta, Cyprus, Cuba, Singapore, Ireland are just a few that are undeniably countries but are also islands. The term island is a geographical term, it has nothing to do with politics, culture, religion or any of those things. Second you talk of an owner doing things with their property as if we're talking of furniture. Puerto Rico should not be the property of any country period. Our sovereign was taken away by the U.S. Congress because it was convenient to the U.S. And the situation today is so tangled up juridically that only the U.S. Can untangle it. Puerto Rico is a nation in anyone's eyes. Evidently you don't know what the word means, I suggest you look it up.
Daniel amor, I used the term "trancelike", I meant you instead, it was a type-o on my part. I also want to add to that message, that is that people here in the U.S. Think that P.R all it does is get "stuff $" from this country and contributes nothing. Remember that 70% of the grant block sent to P.R. Is money that Puerto Ricans have contributed to, such as Ss,Medicare, our veterans of which there are over 300,000 on the island paid by sacrificing for this country. Besides most workers don't pay fed taxes on their earnings but they do pay for SS, and Medicare, unemployment as stated, also the thousands of federal workers pay full taxes on their salaries to the federal coffers. Besides all that, the taxes paid to the state is very high. Then you have the mfg. companies that make billions in earnings pay very low taxes to P.R and send their earnings back to the mainland. That is one reason the U.S. Won't let P.R. Go, it would be a blow to U.S. Economy, so they won't let go.
This is a great documentary Phillip. I learned some things here that I was not aware of. But more importantly, while I was born in NYC, when I left PR as a new Air Force recruit at the age of 20, I wondered why I could not have voted for the US Pres while living there, yet I could have been drafted. I voted for Pres Obama twice and its unfortunate that he has not done anything with this after 61% of the island want a change. And now with the economic situation, this brings to focus the status quo situation will not work. I hope and pray this changes. Again thank you for this documentary. As much as I've heard "English only" terms in my time it was informative to learn that this is not even in the "english written" constitution. thank you for this.
Thank you for this absolutely informative video of our beautiful Island! But most importantly thank you for all the collection of artifacts that clearly emphasizes the truth about how and why our Island is in its current state!
@7:34 I really like the fact that the first European in recorded history to discover Florida (USA) was also the first Governor of Puerto Rico and he only spoke Spanish!
Wow finally a video that tells the truth ,if being Puerto Rican so be it because i was born in san Antonio tx my mom is puerto rican and so is my dad who is a Vietnam vet who gave 20 years of his life defending our nation ,im proud to be a puerto rican American i have lived all over the states but hey i love my island one day 51 state
I called masochism, since 1898 and still can't vote for the President? Come on...I dream that one day my son can stand eye to eye not only to the Americans, but to every country in the world...and you're right, it is enough... It's time for Puerto Ricans to ask for our freedom so that way we can enter the global market and not depend on the USA which has turn the island into a Nanny State......Despierta!
Senor Arroyo, Y hoy, cual será la reflexión después de María...? Qué trato se le ha reservado a Puerto Rico? A quien indigna, a quien no? Hay muchas opiniones diversas, yo tengo la mía, pero le toca a la experiencia del pueblo manifestar lo que ya no soporte, o lo que aun le convenga. Qué tragedia la de Puerto Rico....o la que pudo haber sido: "el paraíso terrenal"....
Brings me sadness and disgust that this situation remains unchanged to this day October 1, 2017. No recourse for an immediate response to the horrific hurricanes that have destroyed the island and taken away hope for American citizens living in Puerto Rico and those of us watching with limited resources to help all. This is a terrible example of a so called viable Democracy. It's time to practice what we as a nation preach abroad!
Garcia is my mother's great uncle, I do believe the US is lacking the recognition of Puerto Rico as well as our existence as americans. great video! great history! please release more info regarding the crisis happening now.
The only thing that worries me about becoming statehood is Them doing the same thing that they did in Hawaii Oh I'm sorry I think it's already happening Them buying all the properties raising the rent And moving all the natives out
Excellent documentary my brother Philip Arryo, I myself was born in New Haven Connecticut in the same state that the constitution was born, and never was I taught about the history of Puerto Rico even though the school i attend was named after the great Roberto Clement, I am proud of being American of Puerto Rican descent, but I also now that just being proud it's not enough, I believe that there's a lot of proud Puerto Ricans in the mainland and in the island with lack of knowledge about their status, I believe it's our responsibility to do our part in educating our fellow brothers in the island and in the mainland. Has we move forward we most be aware of the power of the education and the power of unity so that we all can stand united in behalf of this cause. For that reason I congratulate you and I stand with you in this mission. As they say knowledge is power and when the majority of Puerto Ricans become aware of there right has US citizen then we will become powerful to shout for justice just has the African-Americans did in the past.
Phillip, I saw you speak when invited to that newscast which was dedicated to the issue of the debt. You talked objectively and even got to call the other gentleman who was a guest, you called him out. I immediately knew you knew what you were talking about. I appreciate this video so very much. I want to enlist myself to fight and be active in this cause. I am a writer and a political dissident, and an activist. Please get back to me.
We can vote in the primaries and we can vote for President if we live in any of the 50 States. This was glossed over in the video. And you can thank the Populares and Independentistas for us not having become the 51st State yet. And if I recall correctly,Spanish was declared the official language for Puerto Rico government purposes. Other than that, really good presentation, much appreciated and much need. Thanks for producing it.
Hello Phillip thank you for opening my eyes on the topic of voting rights in Puerto Rico. I never knew that America was treating Puerto Ricans as immigrants when in fact we are supposed to be Americans. But now I know . My Father was born and raised in PR but came to America to better himself . Anyway Phillip now that I know this about how America is treating Puerto Rico I'm gonna start letting my voice be heard and I'll even let the NY RICANS know about this issue . Again thank you for teaching me about something so important as this and for taking time out to document this video . Sincerely a new friend to you Michael Sanchez, Bronx . N.Y.
Wow 👏 this video is amazing, as an American citizen puertorrican I felt that this nation violated my rights in so many ways...the racism is so noticeable and we thought that after Martin Luther King it was done and here's 2020. Still fighting, like any immigrant with a few benefits.
In Puerto Rico, in Nov. 1979. Macheteros shot up a bus that carried active duty from the small base in Sabana Seca, to the work site 5 min. up the road. Two young men died, 9 were injured. As the bus limped back onto the base, children were witnesses of the carnage. My husband had orders to PR at the time. So many left the base, we got a house on base earlier than normal. For the entire 3 years of our tour, from 1980-1983, we lived under armed guard. If we left the base, we had to be alert, & one day, when I had to get my husband between buses, I was nearly run 9ff the road by a maroon colored sedan that had automatic weapon barrels visible poking out of the passenger side window. I got the license plate number & knew the type of sedan. What saved my husband & the others working at the site was a school bus that was returning from a field trip late due to a breakdown. Since the wait list for a land line was 1-2 YEARS, & he cost too high for many poorer fakilies, there was no way to contact anyone in that tiny vi)age to tell them what was going o. As kids were getting off into the arms of mothers crying their hanks to God, I managed to get past the bus by taking our car through the narrow village roads in back beside the fence between the village & the pasture in which the worksite was situated. There was a small stream that had a small foot bridge that only active duty could cross, but I had information they needed. I held my hands up & said they needed to hear what I'd seen. I was permi\ed to tell them but the whole time I was in the sites of at least 2 Marine snipers. Once I gave them the informarion, they mobilized the people wjlhonwpuldbdeal with that, &bthe were apprehended. They admitted their plan was to use bombs & guns to gain entry to the worksite & kill those inside. Another time, one of the sraggliest looking Machetero wannabes tried to run me off the road, but when s couple cop cars came down the other side of the road, he wh=ledno# onto a dirt side road. A woman ru,ING on the base one evening was faced with a nmachete-wielding man who did manage to cut her but only superficially. I was teaching school at a missionary school when the PR electrical workers' union didn't like what sounded like a very generous deal, so they went around blowing up substations & chopping down the wooden utility poles. They also enjoyed calling in bomb threats to schools. The explosion took out the power, then the bomb alarm went off (they had alarms for hurricanes, bad storms, earthquakes, firres, & bomb scares). We had to dodge live wires because the poles in front of the school were wired to a still-functional substation. We got the kids to safety, the cops came into the lot, looked at he teacherw, & said, "You make more money than we di. Look for the bombs yourselves!" & they left..never even got out of thir cars. A group of us looked for suspicious items & having found nothing, called the kids back to class. The people lived being bars because a corrupt system let them out early of they even served time at all. When I couldn't teach in the mi $ions school because my car broke down constantly, I went back to su"su"ingnat the base scjool.on Ft. Buchanan, about 8 miles down he road.. One day, we heard a huge explosion followed by multiple explosions almost as bad. The Macheteros had started a chain reaction by bombing a couple jets parked in a line & this set off the rest to explode when hit by flaming debris. 20 jets, gone. A bunch of scared kids winding if they'd be next. So many Puerto Ricans had ID cards & friends in the store to tell theme when shipments came in & we'd have to wait 2- 4 hours in line to get inside, by which time we were fortunate to find any chicken, hamburger, lunch meat, peanut butter, bread, & other staples. We all did this about 6 tums a month in hopes if getting to something before the local folks took it all to.resell ion the black market. It was easy enough to figure out...they could shop in the middle of the day, they had very nice clothes & vehicles, & would come out with huge boxes of the items I just mentioned, leaving nothingness the honest people, nor for people who were PR service members' families. It was the same with the PX...everything nice was always gone, on both bases. We had a mini-mart on our base, & if you wanted milk for your kids, you got up at 5 am (they opened at 6) to get close enough to the door to have a shot at a gallon or 2 of milk. When you came to a base gate, your ID had to be on hand if you didn't want to be looking in he barrel of an automatic rifle. Meanwh9le, 9n the tourist area, on the beach, drug kingpins sold drugs to locals & tourists alike, & no one stopped them. I'm not the only one who has seen this. Many spouses refused to leave the base & only let their kids out for school because there was an armed escort. They would only go to Ft. Buchanan with a large group. The referendum thst has o statehood while we were there returned the same basic results as every other referendum...33-34% wanted statehood, 33-34% wanted independence, & 33-34% wanted to stay a Commonwealth. Yet th government, knowing independence would likely lead to Cuba trying to annex them (Cuba believes they, not America, owns PR). Having been denied a clear majority for independence, the Macheteros went on rampages all over the island, demanding independence & blowing stuff up to get their point across (I think they're related to the anti-Trump faction as both tend to ignore reality & act like terrorists to force people to gce in to their demands. After all of this, I'm glad the Macheteros never got what they wanted. My PR schoolkids told me they were Cubans, but even US Intel couldn't tell the dofferences.in accent & usage. I believed them. I felt bad for the hardworking peopl wjo were always kind & generous to others, esp the ones that had no bars on their windows & doors to slow down terrorists. But I have to ask you why it is that having seen this, people still wonder why the US wouldn't accept them as a state as readily now. IS I & AL Qaeda, which is still very much alive, Jihad in general, how any of the PR became Muslims & had any of them been Macheteros or the offspring of same? How close are they to adding to the Jihad threat? as far as I know, this sudden oa $ion ate 97% of 23% of voters have suddenly decided for everyone they want statehood after decades of a near even 3 way split in voting for independence v statehood v the status quo. Suddenly PR "decides" for atatehood. Take another vote where the independentistas & the Commonwealth people vote, too. Personally, I have no problem with statehood, but I don't want ISIS arming the Macheteros because we vote for you to be a state on a low turnout vote & they didn't want that.
GOD BLESS PUERTO RICO, IT'S A VERY BEAUTIFUL ISLAND AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, THE PROBLEM HERE IS THAT THE WET BACKS AND SOUTH AMERICANS ARE TAKING ALL THE ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE AMERICAN ISLAND THUS GETTING IGNORED. HAND IN THERE, PUERTO RICO WILL NEVER BE IGNORED.
Phillip Arroyo que trabajo extraordinario. Yo lo compartí en Facebook. Me fuí LIVE y lo compartí mientras lo veía. I subscribe to your Channel. I have a Civic Organization and I'll work for my people. 🙏❤🇵🇷
Puerto Rico has sent more soldiers to every war from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc. than any state in the union fact.
Very true.
The Filipinos were also deluded into giving their loyalty to the U.S., fighting in the World Wars and Vietnam. But if you take a snake to warm it on your breast, it will only bite you. The U.S. breaks all its promises. Hora de despertarse y renunciar a las falsas esperanzas, tomar las riendas del propio destino, pararse, no seguir arrodillado mendigando derechos. Mira como están tratando ahora a su propia gente blanca, a lo mejor de ese pueblo, también los están tirando a la basura. Hagamos realidad nuestro propio sueño, porque tenemos que poner la propia casa en orden, ¿verdad? Construir nuestra propia hermandad que está maltrecha.
YES BUT THEY WON'T BECOME AND SUBMIT AS A STATE, THUS THEY DON'T GET PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO HELP!
Where can that statistic be seen?
They were subjected to the draft during those wars. In fact, one reason that citizenship was bestowed was precisely so that Puerto Rican men could be drafted.
Puerto Ricans become U.S. citizens, are recruited for war effort
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/puerto-ricans-become-u-s-citizens-are-recruited-for-war-effort
Every one who lives in the 50 states and every one who lives in Puerto Rico should watch this video. Well done.
" The need of a child is to know their own history and weave their truth in his long journey "... - Julio Garcia
as a Puerto Rican I'm FREAKING MAD
ruclips.net/video/e2BWklaMB-g/видео.html dont be mad we are chosen people
I think PR should be independent, after a period of stabilizing. Sadly, Puerto Rico has a long history of being proud colonists.
It's the old master/slave dynamic. Theres a fear of freedom because they don't know if it'll be for better or worse.
Hahaha...the corruption in PR government is bad...they will go broke if they get their independence
@@hfc7457 💯%
@Nayeli Elyan I say let go and fine a nation that would really help my People !
@@hfc7457 true which is why we need our economy to be better before either statehood or Independence
Gracias Phillip. I'm born and raised state side but love the island. My mom worked stateside for many years and retired off to the island like many PR's do or dream of doing. I call her everyday and she tells me about the situation in P.R, -- the politics, the unemployment, the health issues, the lack of this or that and the many controversies. Makes me so sad to think about the debt crisis and the vicious cycle of poverty and stagnation. Yet I know when I visit, it's beautiful there and so are our people. I'm crushed to think about it's future . Thank you for putting this together. It's succinct and well thought out. The word's got to get out, and something got to give. Thanks again.
Phillipito lies
I was born there but was reared in Indiana. Nothing was taught in school about Puerto Rico.
only time America talks about PR was the Columbus expedition
+Nik Payne wrong Columbus expedition went to the Dominican Republic
Arthur Campana cool story
+Arthur Campana He First Landed In Hispaniola In 1492 Then In 1493 Landed In Puerto Rico During His Exploration.
Still, He Was A Piece Of Shit 💯
#BorkienLibre #AntiImperialist
+Melatina77 Truth be told. Nothing much is really taught about Hawaii either and they're a state.
I just want to sincerely thank you for educating me on this very important issue. I am quite ashamed of myself for not being active on this. But, I assure you that I am fully awake now! I mean; that you are not alone and I will do everything I can to bring awareness. Yes, I am 100% Puertoriquena. Like the book of Ecclesiastes says, there is a time for everything. It's time!!!!!
Carmen Erazo amen I’m telling my brother about you. He’s a at war type if is a must. U need to chat with him
I got a bridge for sale cheap
I live in PA.and i.have.been so.badly.discriminated that. I.dont know where to.start.i.would.love to .tell.my story.but.im afraid
and a time to be fucking stupid lol standing waiting for amarica hell no it not going to happen we need a revolution of peaces and demand a better economy and a better wealth > fuck being a state to amarica they rape us when they invade us Puerto Rico OK!
@@ismaeldelgado7569 You should tell your story. Either write a book, or go to the news like msnbc or some Latino civil rights organization like Blacks have the NAACP or BLM. You should not stay silent on discrimination, but go to those who really can shed light on it like a civil rights organization or the ACLU who have lawyers.
I just want to say that Puerto Rico would be better off as an independent country. I have seen what the U.S. has done to this beautiful nation, and especially the island of Vieques. How can you believe that being the 51st state of the U.S. will be any better? After over 100 years of colonial rule by the U.S., the people of Puerto Rico are no better off! Also when the U.S. made you all American citizens, it was only to allow Puerto Rican people to fight the wars for the U.S.! You were all just a sacrifice for the the greater good of the U.S. mainland. And after hurricane Maria, haven't the people of Puerto Rico learned anything yet? Independence is the only option for you period!!!
Wouldn't we be poor tho?
Cowboy Bepop poor isn’t in our vocabulary. 🇵🇷
Viva Puerto Rico Libre!!! ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽I was going nice a person that wanted PR to become a state and time let me to real history that the Government hides from us in School.
Amen to this. Pedro Albizu Campos always knew we would be slaves to the US yet he was portrayed as a terrorist all for loving his homeland and voicing the truth.
spain what to give us citizen
It's a real shame that I wasn't taught anything about Puerto Rico in history class. I think that teachers SHOULD and MUST teach students about Puerto Rico. Many soldiers have died and put their lives on the line in these past world wars, yet many mainland Americans continue to ignore these people as if they didn't exist. It's so sad. You make many great points in this documentary. Since the territory itself is already in a tremendous amount of debt, I think it's safe to play the cards and grant it statehood, even though nothing is getting done about it at the White House. Hopefully, after the presidential elections in 2016, if we don't have a corrupt president, that Puerto Rico will be granted statehood. There have been people who have already come out with 51-star flags in preparation for a 51st state. And trust me, if I was president of the United States, I would have granted statehood to Puerto Rico in a heartbeat. This documentary made me really feel something about Puerto Rico, that it's not just another territory, but a long, lost state of the United States. My dad actually went there once, about 12 years ago, so he kind of knows what it's like. He rightfully served as an officer in the Navy. His name was David Patrick Sanders. I really hope this message can get across to more and more Americans before the time the next presidential election takes place. I'm hoping for a strong leader who won't mess things up when the time comes.
I agree, Kelsey!
And on that last note, I feel Bernie Sanders (any relation? haha) is a very strong candidate to be the next President of the United States. A direct quote from his web page specific to Puerto Rico: "EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE OF PUERTO RICO TO DECIDE THEIR OWN DESTINY
As president, Bernie will fight for a U.S. congressionally-sanctioned and binding referendum where the Puerto Rican people would be able to decide on whether to become a state, an independent country, or to reform the current Commonwealth agreement. This is an issue that should be decided by the Puerto Rican people."
All the best to you.
Puerto Ricans have been fighting America's war since WW1.
Thanks for your concern Kelsey. Imagine if the 13 colonies had the chance to become part of the United Kingdom in 1776. Would the forefathers accept it? Does the people of Great Britain has the same culture as the people in USA.? My point is that, speaking english in Puerto Rico(only 20% of the population is bilingual the other 80% only speaks Spanish) does not make us Americans only a bilingual society. Puerto Rico is another country, culturally and politically. We were invaded in 1898, and never given the opportunity and the dignity to rule ourselves. George Washington was considered a traitor among Englishmen and a patriot among Americans, every coin has 2 sides as every story too. Is a complex subject to address in a RUclips comments section but if you are interested in this subject I recommend to you a book from Nelson A Dennis "War against all Puertoricans" The book is historical, with a lot of notes which are fascinating but the most interesting detail is that it was completed using declassified official documents from the FBI and CIA. Try to read it it will give you light about how the US government has been treating us for the past 100 years.....you'll be surprised about the findings.
“Niemand ist mehr
Sklave, als der sich für frei hält, ohne es zu sein."
“No hay peor esclavo que aquel que falsamente cree ser libre”
"None are more
hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Estoy contigo
Kelsey Sanders even if they taught it, it wouldn't be the truth
Thank you Chuck for your kind words. One way you can help is by organizing a movement in your state to ultimately apply political pressure to West Virginia's members of Congress and generate the national discussion neccesary make change.
Once again.... Thank you....
Váyase a la porra Luis, con ese fanatismo fupista…idealista pero poco pragmático. Personas como tu es lo que jode. ¿Cómo carajos Puerto Rico se va sustanciar con la sobrepoblación por milla cuadrada? No hay ni cabron espacio para sembrar y alimentarnos. Y esta isla está más allá de esos ideales muertos que ni son modelo realista con la situación vigente.
+Will Rodriguez Tienes miedo de sembrar y trabajar tu quieres welfare americano, quedate en USA traidor. A sembrar y cosechar a oponer los traidores lacayos de los americanos invasores, asesinos.
Wander Away huele bicho, tengo estudios y buen trabajo...y NO recibo ninguna ayuda.
+Wander Away tu estas mas atrasado que el siglo 19 vete y siembra quenépas entonces y las vende en la #2 jajajaja
+Ricardo Concepcion check out the video again , dumbass , puerto rico its u.s.a soil , you can't even bote " own your country " mamadol 😂😂😂👎👎
A mini-documentary about Puerto Rico's unfair and undemocratic political relationship with the United
I love my Puerto Rican family I swear. I'll always feel it in my heart for Nyoricans, Massachusetts Ricans, and any Ricans anywhere in the world.
Rhode Island Ricans to
Connecticut Ricans as well we're all united brother
Man, my brain is on fire now. I used to like Obama, did nothing but turn a blind eye on Puerto Rico
Obama will come down in history as the worst U.S president, only U.S president that has done everything against the best interest of the U.S, literally, he want to sink the U.S, a real POS along with his racist wife. He is a muslim in disguise,again a real POS.
Tony D
** Since 1889 USA presidents have not given PR The status of statehood, Why is the black president responsibility to do so? **
I'm Puerto Rican, and I can't stand Obama.
It was the "republican party" that "STONE WALLED", everything Pres. Obama tried to do.
Pull your head out of your "ASS"....or better yet stop "KISSING TRUMPS" and the obstructionist republican party, get a clue!!
Good luck! If my state (wv) was denied voting rights I would be very upset! I wish more people would become aware of this injustice. The inhabitants, Guam, Mariana islands, American somoa, VI, and the other Territories are just as American as I. For whatever it counts I'm pulling for you..
We want to rule ourselve we don't want foreigners making descsisions.
You guys voted to become a state with a 61% majority right?
False we did not vote 61% it was actually just 45% since that portion of the ballad was left blank on purpose by 25% of Puertoricans so no Puerto Rico did not vote for statehood.
I see multiple sourcing saying otherwise and I trust them over you
Leocomander Leocomander It was 61 percent. If you leave a ballot blank or it's not filled properly it's not counted. It's an invalid vote. In the U.S. this is called the residual vote. So yes, Puerto Rico DID vote for statehood. You also stated "We want to rule ourselve we don't want foreigners making decisions," well I would disagree with that statement as well. The independence movement is more like 10 percent it will never happen... And clearly no one wants to continue with the current status. The current governor who is as incompetent as President Hoover, wants an "enhanced commonwealth." Under the U.S. law what he proposes is unconstitutional... The only option is Statehood... Or if enough people join the new movement to reunify with Spain then yeah. But as of right now, Statehood is the only viable option. President Obama allocated in the 2014 spending bill $2.5 million for another, federally-sponsored referendum on the status issue in P.R.
Bendiciones Boriquen (PR) from Quisqueya (DR). We Stand By You and YOUR RIGHTS TO BE TREATED AS 1ST CLASS CITIZENS OF USA.
Look at the Juan Mari Bras case it can be done fam
Fact that English and Spanish are both very well spoken in Puerto Rico today.
Maybe in the tourist area and San Juan everywhere else not really
Not true... a lot of boricuas dont speak English
Sam T. Si amen
sorry to disappoint you , but not very well...
#notfacts not everyone here speaks English
I am Mexican but Love Puerto Rico and do hope this is Resolved very soon. Thanks for this educational video.
Its weird. I am an Irishman who flew to PR in 1990. Rightfully I was asked for my passport going from Ireland to NYC. Once there I got an INTERNAL flight from NYC to San Juan PR with no requirement for a passport. I spent two weeks there and had a ball. Irish people in 1990 were mostly Roman Catholics and had 2 lovely masses in a church in La Parguera in the south of PR.
The people did not know much of Ireland but we grew to love them and them us.
These people use US dollars. I do not think they need passports to enter the USA. In my European mind they are Americans.
The problem in Puerto Rico is not the political status but instead the economic system which is the same that afflicts the rest of the USA which does have a $18.5 Trillion dollar debt were the Chinese are the one benefiting the most and surpassed us as the 1st economic nation in the World GDP wide in September 2014.
Let's provide some economic facts about Puerto Rico. Last year 3.7 millions citizens in PR generated $104 billion dollars in GDP, the USA Federal Government distribute to the island about $5 billion (about $3.8 per person per day), and the capitalists from other states took $70 billion at the same time. That is repeated every year and there, on that equation is that reside the economic woes in PR, in that obscenity is the problem. Right now there is a popular movement in the island to consume only local products and create local business entities that control the distribution of goods locally and not from outside and to create relationships with other States, and countries such as Mexico, Spain, Panama, Colombia, Japan and others to ensure that most of the profits and gains stay locally instead of leaving to others interest outside Puerto Rico. So when the host of this program said that if PR become a state the 3.7 US citizens in the island will received $20 billions from the US treasury he is ignoring the $70 billions that are being squeeze out of our population in Puerto Rico. Since in reality USA does not provide any real economic help to PR we need to become economic independent to improve our economic quality of life. So we will take advantage of our USA citizenship and bi-cultural abilities to do that.
Other interesting fact is that the World Economic Forum ranks Puerto Rico in business productivity indexes 32 in the world, 2nd in Latin America, and 1st in the Caribbean so what the people of Puerto Rico need to do is to change the equation to ensures that our production profits does not benefit others in other states. Believe me everyone in the Island is working on that right now. Truly, we are people who are used to fight and to struggle by all means necessary.
boricuapwr Poder Boricua This is the smartest thing I've heard in relation to the economy of Puerto Rico in a long time. This also makes me want to move to Puerto Rico to help this process. I think the economic woes of Puerto Rico is a tool used to force it into statehood in all honesty. Do you mind if I share your comment? Also how did you find the amount the U.S. distributed to PR?
Powder boricua you are absolutely correct. Every pundit here in the states is always talking about Puerto Rico being a "welfare" state and yet out of every $ generated by hard work the Feds return 17 cents of which seventy percent of that is return to Puerto Rico for programs that Puerto Ricans have pay for such as social security and Medicare and let us not forget the benefits provided to our veterans of which there over 300,000 living on the island. It is always said that Puerto Rico because it has no representation in congress it pays no federal taxes, well I b eg to disagree as the Puerto Rican worker although except from some federal taxes they do pay into social security and Medicare plus taxes paid for unemployment benefits and let's not forget the thousands of federal workers in Puerto Rico who pay full taxes just as if they were workers on the mainland.
boricuapwr Poder Boricua Después de más de 520 años de coloniaje te atreves a decir que es meramente un problema económico. La ignorancia es atrevida.
Del punto de vista economico neoliberalista que es el verdadero problema cual es la diferencia entre Argentina, Grecia, Espana, Italia, Puerto Rico, Detroit, Chicago, Vallejo California, y toda la poblacion de USA? Todos la poblacion que trabaja el profesional igualmente son afectados por la inigualdad y el hecho de pruducir y hacer ricos a otros. No hay diferencia. Por que tu crees que en USA un Socialista el Senador Bernie Sanders va a ser el proximo presidente de USA. O es que no vez noticias de lo que esta pasando. Orientate mejor de como es que trabaja el sistema capitalista y como esta afectando a toda la poblacion de USA que incluye a PR.
+boricuapwr Poder Boricua You are wrong the political status and the lack of demcracy is the problem, maybe you do not have enough of education to understand this
Last year I decided that I was going to relocate to Puerto Rico and practice medicine there because it was much needed. I was born in Caguas and have plenty of family there, I was even offered a home by one of my aunts as they were all eager and welcoming in regard to my decision to relocate both myself and my practice.
I am a physician and am well practiced at doing research, so I did. What shocked me was not only the extensive corruption in the island, but the major affiliation with Socialism and even Communism by the people. There are no conservatives representing the island's political arena. The so called "conservative" party was led by a representative that not only opposed the Conservative party, but also campaigned for support of Obama and Hillary Clinton. Inevitably, he was ousted for vulgarities and corruption by his administrative staff. After that, they appointed another representative who was a liberal, she too just got ousted subsequent to finding warehouses filled with undistributed disaster aid supplies. Now, they are marching and protesting under leading figure, Ricky Martin, who is an advocate for frank Communism.
So, the very ideologies they profess, Socialism-Communism, are the ones suppressing them. It's no secret that PR is dominated by liberals and radicals, even Socialists and Communists. The manufactured crises' afflicting the people are intended as a strategic mechanism to ignite civil direst catalyzing revolutionary reaction. Later, an Authoritarian government emerges with the appearance of being the stabilizing element which the people suffering from crises willingly submit to. This is Classical Marxism! Expect to see Pay-To-Play schemes exposed.
If I had a say, I would campaign for State-Hood; but, first attend to the corruption and work at rejecting Socialism and Communism altogether as an ideology. I would even consider Sovereignty, Independence, but with a close treaty with the USA. But, both solutions necessitate Patriotism and Americanism, while retaining "Boriqualism" as part of a "Make Puerto Rico Great Again" sister movement of MAGA/KAG.
Crony-Capitalism/Global Corporatocracy (of both traditional Republican Party; and, even more pronounced in the Democratic Party), Progressivism (which is an amalgamation of Democratic Socialism, Communism, Islamic-Sharia-Jihadism, Pedophlic-Hollywood Childhood Sexualization, Totalitarian-Authoritarian Climate Cultism, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Christian-Pro-Atheistic-Mysticism & Frank Satanism) all must be rejected by the people if we are to regain our dignity and strength as a productive and "Free" people deserving of a government OF & FOR "We The People" of Puerto Rico and America.
They know if Puerto Rico became a voting state it would drastically change the outcome of the presidency. 3.5 million is a lot of votes. I wonder if Guam or Samoa has this issue.
Cosmic Othniel Hawaiians don't
I hope the Republicans decide to allow Puerto Rico to become a State of the USA. They had gone to Vietnam etc. Yet we cannot vote. Why are we a territory? Just like slavery, we belong to the USA. Give us the liberty to become a State.
@@DavidRodriguez-ww8jfthe more you kneel, the more you loose dignity, a Nation that kneels to another looses their identity. ¿Usted cree que USA le va a dar la Estadidad a personas que traicionan a su propia gente? 😂😂😂 Yo en mi casa no quiero traicioneros. Es algo moral.
There are other truths that were not discussed in this video.
The fact that the United States government (UNG) is today committing a crime against humanity by having maintained Puerto Rico as its colony for the past 76 years. The USG has never complied with the United Nations’ (UN) Charter of 1945 that prohibits colonialism.
The fact that the USG has never complied with 39 UN resolutions asking it to immediately return Puerto Rico sovereignty to the Puerto Ricans. webtv.un.org/watch/5th-meeting-committee-of-24-special-committee-on-decolonization/6051725003001 The fact that Puerto Ricans should not to be trying to solve our colonial problem via the empire. As this video convincingly demonstrated, the USG has no intention of decolonizing Puerto Rico, or granting statehood to people it deems belonging to an inferior race! The only way Puerto Rico could ever become be a US state is by getting the Puerto Ricans out of our homeland. I too want to see Puerto Ricans united. We have waited, 123 years, much too long! We must not wait any longer for leaders to do what the people should be doing for ourselves. We must engage in permanent resistance to force the USG to comply with international law. If we don’t, we will continue to be a US colony now, tomorrow and forever! And now you know the rest of the story.
Puerto Rican’s was invaded by the United States. Puerto Rican’s are not treated or have the same right like the Americans do. Please just give us our independence. If Puerto Ricans protest against Ricardo Rosselló (government) and got him, out, we have the power to ask for our independence. However Puerto Rican’s are divided some want statehood. Puerto Rico future is in a limbo.
This why they came after me in Michigan, when I was trying to buy the Pontiac silver dome and tear it down for 1 million dollars, then rebuild a 100 million dollar technology academy for poor black and Puerto Rican children, cause they don’t want us to HAVE ANY POWER. My mission is just getting started so one day our communities will be FREE, mentally, physically and financially.
All I'll say is "JONES ACT"
Thank you for this excellently informative video, and of course it shows again the "double standard" that Washington D.C. seems to always operate by.
God Bless Puerto Rico, the beautiful island of love and satisfaction. When in actuality, it's just a military geographic advantage for America, but at the same time I live in America and am glad we can come and go as we please, also what can a little island do against a big American country of power beyond our recognition. We did our best to stay independent, but we lost, so what do we do, enjoy our benefits that many people from other countries can't do. Those other people are paying thousands of dollars just to get to America, Ok we are suffering in Puerto Rico not starving, but we can fix it, also we are proud as any body in this world, so regardless of our situation, many of us are doing great thank God. So don't really see America as a big bully because Spain did the same and America just took over and gave us a better life than them, and again be proud like we are regardless of the current situation. God Bless Puerto Rico. Good heads up Arroyo.
TWISTED exactly man im Mexican. Mexico is independent and beautiful but yet so many Mexicans are jumping the border. because they cant live a good life in Mexico. and so many murders from the cartels the government is corrupt and screws over the poor
Yes! I'm a proud Puerto Rican- American!
Sounds like "AMERICA"!!!
Puerto Rico is not doing ok. Not everything has to do with having food on the table.
We are not able to vote for POTUS...we don't have the rights most US citizens have. Our men and women have died in wars....but we don't get to vote for our Commander in Chief.
The problem of Puerto Rico is its political class, not the US. No formal statehood petition have been submitted...by any Governor...EVER. Even after referendums in which the people support statehood.
The truth is the local political class is corrupt and want to keep the status quo as it is...because they all benefit from it. Changing things will end their insular supremacy. Meanwhile...a country with the level of education of an eight grader keep backing up this insular political class...that misinforms...justifies its doings and steal most of our money.
None of this has to do with what the US has done here. Without the US we would be another third world country...but since 1952...when we got to elect our own insular govt...local politicians have enjoyed prosperity maintaining a colonial system that benefits only them. It is the insular politicians who are the main obstacle for the people of PR to enjoy all the rights US citizenship brings.
@J D
The military significance of PR is a myth....specially after the end of WW2. This idea is still part of the insular mindframe...just a way of feeling important at a national level. Bit it is not true.
Thank you so much Mr. Phillip Arroyo for sharing this amazing mini-documentary. We will continue to raise our voices and help our amazing and beautiful island Puerto Rico and our awesome people!! God bless you and your love ones as I pray he continue blessing our island and all us around the world.
StateHood is No Longer an Option,,, Freedom is.. Where are The leaders Courageous enough to do the Right thing you ask?.. The Right thing Is Liberty and Freedom.... Self Determination...
I love ❤️ when people say Puerto Rico with true spanish accent
We (Puerto Rican's) for many-many yrs. have been treated like 2nd class citizens & even to call us aliens? People from the island of Puerto Rico or born in the USA are "American Citizens". That is for certain. So why congress doesn't fix this issue giving (all) Puerto Rican's on the right to vote? I do. I was born in N.Y.C.
Someone, like Phillip Arroyo who is a super smart young man need to start a petition on change dot org to get many signatures to get the ball rolling!? Will this help?? We are humans who deserve respect just like anyone else.
The same presidents that they can't vote for are the same presidents that established and approved of the draft that sent many Puerto Ricans to their death in USA wars.
@Lizania Rodriguez Why would you fear anyone. The key is equal Love and respect.
Phillipito lies
ESE PAIS SE LLAMA,LOS ESTADOS DROGADOS DE NORTE AMERICA. NO TIENEN NOMBRE . AMERICA ES UN CONTINENTE NO UN PAIS
This term I've been teaching middle school history on the Spanish Conquest as well as European colonization of the US. Ironic that Puerto Rico which was among the first discoveries/colonies in this region is still a colony - of the United States of America! This is the only instance in human history where a past colony has become an exploitative Imperialist itself.
@Russell scott. Puerto Rico's dept is due to an inability to become self sufficient. This inability stems from laws the united states have making it illegal for Puerto Rico , an island, to produce its own ships and trades. An island that can not legally import or export goods. United states laws make it so that ANY and ALL imports must first be unloaded from the foreign cargo ship by american nationalists then loaded onto ships operated and/or owned by american nationalists before they can be shipped to there destination. Any export from the island must be transported by american nationalists off the island. so any company that is not owned by an american nationalist can not operate in Puerto Rico.
Beautifully filmed Phillip Arroyo, as a person born and raised in New Jersey, and now for the past 5 years living on the Island of Puerto Rico, this struck a cord...Thank you.
Puerto Rico needs to become a free Nation . Thank You Phillip Arroyo for keep the masses informed on how the US government is taking advantage of P.R. for almost 100 years . Statehood noway Jose . Yankee go home .
Great information!
Did anyone happen to notice the flying object at 12:39 minutes?
Amazing, reversed direction without even slowing down. After all that is what the documentary is about. We are aliens. thanks for pointing this out.
It was a bird
Information of lies!
Thank you for an interesting video. But here's an even a harder truth that needs to be told: We should be ashamed of ourselves! Puerto Rico was invaded! And the people of Puerto Rico will never truly find peace unless they grow the maracas to cut all ties that place them under the subjugation of their once invader and now overlords and claim their right to self-government much in the way that the United States itself did back in 1776. As such, no more commonwealth or talk of statehood. Redemption lies only in international equality, which amounts only to independence. Anything less does no justice to freedom nor the historical struggles by past Puerto Rican heroes to achieve it.
Thank you it pains me because I am Puerto Ricans and it seems like we are traitors to our own country (Puerto Rico) we dont support its culture and the fact that we should be independent.
As a Puerto Rican born there I'am touched by this story, truth is all that matters., beautifully told ty!
En Puerto Rico se habla español. No inglés. Y los que sabemos hablar inglés lo hacemos cuando viajamos y cuando hablamos con los turistas, pero en Puerto Rico hablamos español porque ese es el idioma de la identidad hispana Puertorriqueña.
*y no puedo creer que todavia haya gente en puerto rico que apoye la union con ese pais esclavista, despues de que los han sangrado y tratado como esclavos....PUERTO RICO INDEPENDENCIA...*
Oh my God, what a wonderful job you have done here. You deserve an award. Very nice. It's was a very educational video.
I hope that every American Citizens in the main land can watch this, and understand more what Puerto Rico is all about.
I'm 51 years old and I don't want to die knowing that Puerto Rico Status is the same since the day I was born there.
I support Statehood 100% . And the way things are going this days in Puerto Rico. Statehood is the only solution to delete those 3 political party one and for all. God Bless You and keep on the good work. Very nicely Done!
If Trump should win the presidency should we call his wife the First Hoochie mama ? just wondering .
You are not a Puerto Rican. You are WHITE. Stop trying to be something you're aren't smh
And if Hillary wins, Bill Clinton will be the First Molester?
Great job and very informative, presented in a way I would and will show to everybody I know. Thank you and continued good luck in future productions.
Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida along with Puerto Ricans that were with Juan Ponce de Leon in his Florida discovery and that's where Juan Ponce de Leon die. and many Puerto Ricans remained in Florida, and some got killed by the Indians in Florida. The reality of the matter is, that no matter what the Puerto Ricans tries to do the Americans always come up with one of theirs. In reality, I don't see the problems in regard to the Puerto Rican people in the U.S. because the problems fall back into the Americans labs, because all the Puerto Ricans got to do is create lots of babies and also for the Puerto Ricans not to lose their language and culture. and being that there is no official language in the U.S. we can communicate in Spanish all we want, and they got to accept it because Puerto Rico is part of the U.S. This is like placing the transmission in reverse.
Excellent, excellent, excellent words Mr. Phillip Arroyo. We deserved to be heard through this amazing video. Congratulations!
VIVA PUERTO RICO LIBRE!!
I'm Puerto rican I want to be a state. What we need to do is get rid of the communist that destroyed puerto Rico
@ exactly 🇵🇷🇺🇸
Phillip lo que presentas es cierto pero lamento recordarte o decirte por si no lo sabias, lo que nos advirtió hace décadas Don Pedro Albizu Campos, " LO QUE LE INTERESA AL AMERICANO ES LA JAULA, NO LOS PAJAROS ".
Que viva Puerto Rico 💪👍👍👍
Libre!!!!!
My first time seeing this. Thank you for enlightening those of us who do not have a clue. Even my Puerto Rican friends, like African Americans, do not know their history. Very interesting.
PR should just get their independence
We need to become a state. Plain and simple. Independence would only make things worse.
If we become a state our debt will add to theirs, and with an even bigger debt the US will go bankrupt and take us along with them. With independence we get a fresh start, a rebirth, more chances, better options. But then again too many ignorant voters
#VendePatria
Nerdtote Independence would make things worse. Puerto Rico would have already went under if it wasn't for all the money the US gives us.
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ F F F !!!!!!!!!
Excelente vídeo. Lo que no entiendo es la solución al problema. Es decir, si E.U ha sido tan injusto con PR ,cómo puede ser la anexión una solución al problema? Es como si una mujer violada quisiera casarse con aquel que la violó con el fin de que se le haga justicia.
Gustavo Quinones Voy a postear este comment como título con este video en El Foro Chatarra en Fb.
Pero me citas jajajajaj
No es la solucion, para resolver los problemas financieros, si fuese asi, no estarisn varios estados al borde de ls quiebra, y cuidades ya en quiebra. La estadidad no es ls solucion, ademas en estados unidos tu votas por el presidente y pueda que tenga mayoria del voto popular, pero no obtuvo los votos electorales, por lo tanto aunque cogio mas voto no gano. Eso no es democracia.
+Gustavo Quinones Que bien lo has definido estoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo, ..."Es como si una mujer violada quisiera casarse con aquel que la violó con el fin de que se le haga justicia."...
+unomasentretantos pantoja Shotgun wedding, pensandolo bien, casarse obligao con quien uno no quiere, puede ser un castigo a la larga, jajaaa!
Thank you to the Puerto Ricans who proudly served the US Military....Sincerely, a former soldier. 82nd ABN DIV. Puerto Rico should become our 51st state. They deserve representation...
Fort Bragg. Those were some fun days😊
You were fooled!
Thank you so much for presenting this video. You could have not said it any better. Thank you so much. I am very proud of being Puertorriqueña Americana🙏❤️🇵🇷🇺🇸
I was born and raised in PR. If you wish to vote for the president, just move to one of the 50 states and register to vote. I did, and I voted in this past elections for the President.
i am a soldier and i will find out about that but i think i can vote, y soy boricua
Christian Cabrera, yes you can but only if you live stateside
Sounds like modern slavery!
you lost my interest when you said that in Puerto Rico both language are spoken when the vast majority of people refuse to learn it and speak it, and are not even taught English in English. classes are taught in Spanish. I went to school in Puerto Rico. no one teaches that we are Americans and to be proud of it. We have chosen to alienate ourselves from the main land insisting on being separate but together... A lot of our problems is this fact alone. I want Congress to help Puerto Rico restructure and become what it should have been from the beginning, a great, beautiful land of hard working Americans without entitlements and second class citizenship.
jerry negron PR need to learn how to be a state
“Niemand ist mehr
Sklave, als der sich für frei hält, ohne es zu sein."
“No hay peor esclavo que aquel que falsamente cree ser libre”
"None are more
hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Increible video, mis respetos Puerto RIco. Este video debe ser compartido todos los dias hasta que haya cambio!
Puerto Rico needs its Independence period!
AMEN!!!
masterdeeable1 Where are you from? You do know less than 10 percent want independence right? And even 10 is being generous, its more like 5.
Do you have children? Don't they need to go on their very own? They need to be independent from you. Perhaps marry and have children on their own. Unless you have a huge big house that you OWN. Rich Port needs to leave POPPA and seek new horizons for their future is bleak begging for help from its Oppressors. FREEDOM, is the greatest gift to Man which he seeks to bear. BTW my people are from the true name of Boriken where the aboriginal people of the earth are from.
masterdeeable1 If we went by your logic we'd dissolve the entire nation. But I'll use your example nonetheless... When you have kids you don't play favorites or exclude anyone... Right now Puerto Rico is the black duck, he's being excluded when he should be getting invited to family gatherings.
All countries need their Independence. My idea is not logic it is Facts. The unadulterated Truth. BORIKEN has been BLACK BALLED and was tricked and deceived by the United States government in using the Island for strategic purposes . When the great Don Albizus Campos warned the Island of the Yankees invading the Island the US had an agenda in destroying and sending the young men from the Island into the Korean War and imported Drugs,Guns, and Alcohol to break them down economically, and keep their mindset occupied in foolishness using TV's, Prostitution and incorporating American culture. Study and master yourself and then Master and Study American history. That way you can bear witness to it yourself.
¿Y todavía no acabas de entender que la "Novia" NO nos Quiere. En su actitud arrogante, despectiva y racista, para los politiqueros estadounidenses (el congreso), "Puerto Rico es un canto de tierra lleno de gente". Eso es todo. Es por eso, que desde un principio, lo declararon un Territorio NO Incorporado. Despierta Phillip, la única opción de Puerto Rico (y siempre la ha sido) es la misma opción de TODO el resto de las naciones del planeta, incluyendo a los EU, su Soberanía e Independencia. ¡PUNTO!
excellent documentary...this opened my eyes...I did not know puerto Ricans can't vote...that's crap...I do have one question...I served in the military with a lot of Puerto ricans...great guys...I'm pretty sure they are all citizens....but, is it easy to get citizenship? so,they can vote.
We vote if we move to the states, any other American citizen who's residence is in P.R. can't vote in presidential elections. It's not a Puertorican thing as they make it to be. I live in the East Coast, was born and raised in Yauco, and vote in all elections.
Citizenship was given to Puerto Ricans one month before they were drafted to WWI in 1917,even though P.R House of representatives voted no to U.S citizenship.
As mentioned above, Puertorican people are Natural born American Citizens. The voting issue has nothing to do with the citizenship. Any American citizen who resides in an American territory cannot vote in the presidential elections. Only American citizens whose legal residence (the one reported to IRS) is in DC or any of the 50 states can vote in the presidential elections. This is true for Guam, US Virgin Islands and PR. American Samoa citizens are American Nationals and therefore cannot vote even if their residence is one of the 50 states or DC.
Thanks for the clarification....I hope or gets restored and prospers.
This message is to all on this comment forum: I'm Puerto Rican and our people are spread all over the world and there is only one thing I'm certain of all Puerto Ricans no matter where they may be carry Puerto Rico in their hearts. We don't leave Puerto Rico in our being, our hearts and our thoughts as the island, it's beauty and history is always omnipresent within us. I don't know why this is so it is hard to explain but it is what it is. We leave the island only in the physical sense, the island remains within. God bless you all.
Excellent Video , must be viewed to understand Puerto Rico . My Dad was at the Normandy invasion and the battle of the Bulge as a Combat MP with the 397th US Combat MP Battalion. My uncle received a silver star in the Pacific during WWII and my Cousin was an Air force Nurse during the first Gulf War. My family always believed that Puerto Rico and the US are one and the same. Please support Puerto Rico for full US Citizenship and equal status with all Americans. All Americans are Puerto Rican and all Puerto Ricans are American . We are all american citizens and should have the same rights.
La estadía de para p. R..es una abominación,,,p.r. Solo tiene una salida y esa es la independencia,les guste o no,p.r. No es un estado p.r. Es una nación,con su propio idioma con sus propias costumbres,aunque llevamos más de un siglo con usa.seguimos siendo quienes somos nunca nos vamos a asimilar por qué somos puertorriqueños .
Te veré cojiendo una yola para la República Dominicana cdo Puerto Rico sea independiente... lo mas seguro to también eres una coje cupones malagradecida terrorista independentista. Ojalá y q la fuerza de choque te haya ya dado unos cuantas bofetás a ti también x estar de revoltosos haciendo huelgas y protestas donde quiera... Si la fuerza de choque no te ha dado un buen bofetón aún, no puedes decir q eres una verdadera independentista.
Why doesn't Puerto Rico go for being an independent country?
Most of us want independence but there are way too much ignorant people voting
Richard Clifford It'd be a nice idea but I wouldn't listen to that mediocre commenter above me. It's bad enough PR is right on the edge of a financial collapse and ruin, so independence will just seal PR's fate. There are barely enough resources to go around with rampant unemployment and agriculture being at an all time low. Most of the population would end up suffering miserably while the few wealthy escape to the US or other countries. Most likely, everyone else with the means would leave and not look back while searching for work abroad and a better way of life. Independence is a great word and what it stands for....but in this case, it turns out to be a curse word.....
+Richard Clifford It'd be a nice idea but I wouldn't listen to that mediocre commenter above me. 118 years have passed, most of our history lost, it has been a looong struggle to keep even our identity, most of those who do not support independence have been brainwashed and will write comment like the one above. Yes, we are flat broke and our best talent is flying away on JetBlue Planes. There has been a constant attack on those who want independence, persecuted, jailed and even killed by local and federal authorities (Last ones were Filiberto Ojeda, killed by FBI, 19 people killed and several dozen wounded in a peaceful march in the Ponce Massacre and the two kids killed in Cerro Maravilla, not to mention those killed by the Cuban exile, Google it!) The rest do not have the balls to fight for their freedom, they are afraid of independence and will make up all kinds of excuses and justification. But I do believe that if we achieve our independence it will be a world event and there are many nations that will stand by us, we are a very resilent people and we can achieve great things in this little island if we put our minds, hearts and hands to it. I respectfully appreciate your comment.
Phillip the guy who did the documentary converted from a statehood supporter to an independence actuvist about a week ago.
they are in debt
If 54% decided that they wanted a change in status, that means 46% did not, meaning that they did NOT want a change to statehood or independence, and 61% of 54% is 33% that wanted statehood, but because apparenty YOU, Phillip Arroyo, want statehood, you affirm that the majority of Puerto Ricans do and then accuse Congress and the President of not giving you what a MAJORITY of you did NOT vote for in the first place. Yo soy norteamericano y no de raza puertorriquena. Sin embargo, yo residi en la isla del encanto por mas de seis anos, y solo me fui de la isla porque ya no queria continuar residiendo en la "flor cautiva" (como cantaba mi amigo Antonio "El Topo" Caban del Valle en su famosisima cancion "Verde Luz") de los EU, y menos despues de que gano Fortuno, y resulta que tenia la razon. Despues de Fortuno, Puerto Rico se convirtio en el desastre irrescatable que es hoy dia. Y hasta el sol de hoy, sigo diciendo, y por siempre, dire que Puerto Rico necesita independizarse de los Estados Unidos para preservar su herencia, su cultura, y reestablecer su dignidad. En cambio, muchos estadistas como usted quiere estadidad e identidad nacional a la vez. Sorry, my friend. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Either you be the "vendepatrias cobardes" that some of you are and become a state, thereby renouncing your own cultural identity and become gringos, keep being the slaves you are, or leave this dysfunctional relationship once and for all and become FREE. Since when did freedom and independence to govern yourselves and make your own decisions become such an absurd concept. SIENDO GRINGO, YO LO DIGO TANTO COMO CUALQUIER INDEPENDENTISTA BORINQUENO - INDEPENDENCIA YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+Ted Kirk Actually my friend, you should watch part two of the series, it takes a wayyy different tone, I think you will like it. In part one, I called Phillip, Uncle Tom Arroyo, now I want to take it back...
Hopefully you also knows that Trump didn't win the majority vote either, Hillary did
Nos vamos hacer pobre con independencia.
@@matthewhernandez8342 - y ahora son que? Ricos?
It's up to the rest of us Puerto Ricans scattered throughout the states to make a difference. I take great pride in voting because I know that my Abuelita can't. Aloha from Hawaii🌋 and Viva Puerto Rico!🇵🇷
Cuando PR llama con los resultados del plebiscito el teléfono en Casablanca dice “Scam Likely” y pitchean…
Washington DC iand northern virginia are commonwealths of the US as well. NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME THE 51ST STATE!
Great video I tweeted Trump a copy who knows maybe he'll look at it like he says what do you got to lose
Phillipito and Thrump are liars
Puerto Rico es un país independiente, y ya puede venir la mayor potencia militar Yanki o el mismísimo diablo a plantar su bandera, que al Grandioso Puerto Rico no lo subyuga ni dios...
Saludos de un español, ¡ QUE VIVA PUERTO RICO !
unomasentretantos pantoja Puerto Rico NO es independiente... De donde sacaste eso?
¿El estado 51?, tu si que sueñas hermano.
unomasentretantos pantoja PORQUE MENCIONAS A DIOS EN TUS CREENCIAS ?
luis b porque es una expresion coloquial
Angel Martinez
Angel you can't deal with blowhards like these, they are just a pack of Hypocrites. they like to scream & yell. Just like the traitorous loving Confederates & neo-Nazis.
Thank you for taking the time to tell the story. We all have to hear it!
My father served in WW2. Many of our people are loyal to the US, but we're not considered anything, but "property" to them. Such a fucked up situation. I appreciate you my brother Phillip. Thanks for the video.
This video is so biast and wrongly made. Lets begin. First of It is USA rights as owners of their lands to do as they please with them, if you own something would you let someone else tell you what to do with it? Second, The language of PR is Spanish NOT English, the fact that you have a few thumb butt rich high class in San Juan ho have kids in school with a 30 minute English mandated class does not mean PR is an English speaking island. There are many more point here to make but I love how they call and island a country when it is not. Disagree, then why if it is a country it is under a convenient rule known as ELA, which everyone knows it takes the position of, if we feel like been American we use such illegal ways to be so as far as PR government gains $$$ in the end but if we do not like USA new legislation, rule or law on the island we claim we are still under the Spain rule. PR is a two face liars and anyone who claims to love the island clearly knows nothing about its government. To end it I bet you yourself voted for Alejandro Padilla, how do I know this because you are part of the exodus who fled out of the island like the Cubans did when they voted for Castro and days later realized the mistake and fled the island.
Daniel you're crazy, you don't make any sense at all. Puerto Rican legislators and governors all they've tried to do is get congress to act upon the request that Puerto Ricans vote upon. Puerto Rico is not part of the U.S., it belongs to the U.S. ( it is a property of the U.S.) therefore the constitution what ever is left of it clearly says that property of the U.S. Is to be handled by the congress of the of the U.S. So all Puerto Ricans are asking is what is the congress willing to do to move this status proses forward, how will independence be handled or statehood if that were the case. Look at the video again and pay attention you may well learn something. Mind you I don't agree with everything Mr. arroyo says but he is right in most of what he says. Also our citizenship is second class and is one of the reasons we cannot vote for president although we have a lot of the responsibilities that go along with citizenship. Also the U.S. Gets more out of Puerto Rico than it gives back, that is not surprising as that is the case with most of the 50 states. It is not what the so called pundits say, as they're always talking how much the island gets from Uncle Sam, they never out of ignorance talk about what Puerto Rico contributes to the U.S. If it was the other way around the congress would have let us go a long time ago.
when did the Cuban voted for Castro. He won a revolution. the governor of PR, is now paying for all debts the governers prior to him did.
Daniel, if you want to have an opinion on all this you need to start studying and learning because everything you said is incorrect. castro was never voted in. He won a revolution. Puerto rico is a spanish and english speaking island. There, you just learned a couple of things. Now keep studying. and maybe next time you make a comment here you can make sense.
Trancelike, where on earth did you get your education? You talk about P.R. That it is not a country because it is an island, well there are an innumerable amount of countries that are islands, I mean Malta, Cyprus, Cuba, Singapore, Ireland are just a few that are undeniably countries but are also islands. The term island is a geographical term, it has nothing to do with politics, culture, religion or any of those things. Second you talk of an owner doing things with their property as if we're talking of furniture. Puerto Rico should not be the property of any country period. Our sovereign was
taken away by the U.S. Congress because it was convenient to the U.S. And the situation today is so tangled up juridically that only the U.S. Can untangle it. Puerto Rico is a nation in anyone's eyes. Evidently you don't know what the word means, I suggest you look it up.
Daniel amor, I used the term "trancelike", I meant you instead, it was a type-o on my part. I also want to add to that message, that is that people here in the U.S. Think that P.R all it does is get "stuff $" from this country and contributes nothing. Remember that 70% of the grant block sent to P.R. Is money that Puerto Ricans have contributed to, such as Ss,Medicare, our veterans of which there are over 300,000 on the island paid by sacrificing for this country. Besides most workers don't pay fed taxes on their earnings but they do pay for SS, and Medicare, unemployment as stated, also the thousands of federal workers pay full taxes on their salaries to the federal coffers. Besides all that, the taxes paid to the state is very high. Then you have the mfg. companies that make billions in earnings pay very low taxes to P.R and send their earnings back to the mainland. That is one reason the U.S. Won't let P.R. Go, it would be a blow to U.S. Economy, so they won't let go.
My father was a borinqueneear, Korean war vet. The forgotten war . No medals.very good doc. Thanks.
This is a great documentary Phillip. I learned some things here that I was not aware of. But more importantly, while I was born in NYC, when I left PR as a new Air Force recruit at the age of 20, I wondered why I could not have voted for the US Pres while living there, yet I could have been drafted. I voted for Pres Obama twice and its unfortunate that he has not done anything with this after 61% of the island want a change. And now with the economic situation, this brings to focus the status quo situation will not work. I hope and pray this changes. Again thank you for this documentary. As much as I've heard "English only" terms in my time it was informative to learn that this is not even in the "english written" constitution. thank you for this.
Thank you for this absolutely informative video of our beautiful Island! But most importantly thank you for all the collection of artifacts that clearly emphasizes the truth about how and why our Island is in its current state!
@7:34 I really like the fact that the first European in recorded history to discover Florida (USA) was also the first Governor of Puerto Rico and he only spoke Spanish!
Wow finally a video that tells the truth ,if being Puerto Rican so be it because i was born in san Antonio tx my mom is puerto rican and so is my dad who is a Vietnam vet who gave 20 years of his life defending our nation ,im proud to be a puerto rican American i have lived all over the states but hey i love my island one day 51 state
I called masochism, since 1898 and still can't vote for the President?
Come on...I dream that one day my son can stand eye to eye not only to the Americans, but to every country in the world...and you're right, it is enough... It's time for Puerto Ricans to ask for our freedom so that way we can enter the global market and not depend on the USA which has turn the island into a Nanny State......Despierta!
Senor Arroyo, Y hoy, cual será la reflexión después de María...? Qué trato se le ha reservado a Puerto Rico? A quien indigna, a quien no? Hay muchas opiniones diversas, yo tengo la mía, pero le toca a la experiencia del pueblo manifestar lo que ya no soporte, o lo que aun le convenga. Qué tragedia la de Puerto Rico....o la que pudo haber sido: "el paraíso terrenal"....
Gracias My Fellow Puerto Rico Brother, Thank You For Sharing This Evident Truth.
Brings me sadness and disgust that this situation remains unchanged to this day October 1, 2017. No recourse for an immediate response to the horrific hurricanes that have destroyed the island and taken away hope for American citizens living in Puerto Rico and those of us watching with limited resources to help all. This is a terrible example of a so called viable Democracy. It's time to practice what we as a nation preach abroad!
Garcia is my mother's great uncle, I do believe the US is lacking the recognition of Puerto Rico as well as our existence as americans. great video! great history! please release more info regarding the crisis happening now.
The only thing that worries me about becoming statehood is Them doing the same thing that they did in Hawaii Oh I'm sorry I think it's already happening Them buying all the properties raising the rent And moving all the natives out
My name is David (Big Dave) Rodriguez Garcia I am a State Delegate for the Indiana Hoosiers in the first district
Excellent documentary my brother Philip Arryo, I myself was born in New Haven Connecticut in the same state that the constitution was born, and never was I taught about the history of Puerto Rico even though the school i attend was named after the great Roberto Clement, I am proud of being American of Puerto Rican descent, but I also now that just being proud it's not enough, I believe that there's a lot of proud Puerto Ricans in the mainland and in the island with lack of knowledge about their status, I believe it's our responsibility to do our part in educating our fellow brothers in the island and in the mainland. Has we move forward we most be aware of the power of the education and the power of unity so that we all can stand united in behalf of this cause. For that reason I congratulate you and I stand with you in this mission. As they say knowledge is power and when the majority of Puerto Ricans become aware of there right has US citizen then we will become powerful to shout for justice just has the African-Americans did in the past.
Thank you, outstanding job of explaining our problems and our wishes for equality and fairness. I feel, we have earned them.
Beautiful well said. I'm a proud Puerto Rican as well. One day we will be free from the chains that the U.S has on us.
Phillip, I saw you speak when invited to that newscast which was dedicated to the issue of the debt. You talked objectively and even got to call the other gentleman who was a guest, you called him out. I immediately knew you knew what you were talking about.
I appreciate this video so very much. I want to enlist myself to fight and be active in this cause.
I am a writer and a political dissident, and an activist. Please get back to me.
Fuck statehood
We can vote in the primaries and we can vote for President if we live in any of the 50 States. This was glossed over in the video. And you can thank the Populares and Independentistas for us not having become the 51st State yet. And if I recall correctly,Spanish was declared the official language for Puerto Rico government purposes. Other than that, really good presentation, much appreciated and much need. Thanks for producing it.
I wish my home was independent...I also live in Nc, and was taught NOTHING about it.
Hello Phillip thank you for opening my eyes on the topic of voting rights in Puerto Rico. I never knew that America was treating Puerto Ricans as immigrants when in fact we are supposed to be Americans. But now I know . My Father was born and raised in PR but came to America to better himself . Anyway Phillip now that I know this about how America is treating Puerto Rico I'm gonna start letting my voice be heard and I'll even let the NY RICANS know about this issue . Again thank you for teaching me about something so important as this and for taking time out to document this video . Sincerely a new friend to you Michael Sanchez, Bronx . N.Y.
Wow 👏 this video is amazing, as an American citizen puertorrican I felt that this nation violated my rights in so many ways...the racism is so noticeable and we thought that after Martin Luther King it was done and here's 2020. Still fighting, like any immigrant with a few benefits.
My dad was in WW2 his dad in WW1 I am so proud of who I am!!!!
In Puerto Rico, in Nov. 1979. Macheteros shot up a bus that carried active duty from the small base in Sabana Seca, to the work site 5 min. up the road. Two young men died, 9 were injured. As the bus limped back onto the base, children were witnesses of the carnage. My husband had orders to PR at the time. So many left the base, we got a house on base earlier than normal.
For the entire 3 years of our tour, from 1980-1983, we lived under armed guard. If we left the base, we had to be alert, & one day, when I had to get my husband between buses, I was nearly run 9ff the road by a maroon colored sedan that had automatic weapon barrels visible poking out of the passenger side window. I got the license plate number & knew the type of sedan. What saved my husband & the others working at the site was a school bus that was returning from a field trip late due to a breakdown. Since the wait list for a land line was 1-2 YEARS, & he cost too high for many poorer fakilies, there was no way to contact anyone in that tiny vi)age to tell them what was going o. As kids were getting off into the arms of mothers crying their hanks to God, I managed to get past the bus by taking our car through the narrow village roads in back beside the fence between the village & the pasture in which the worksite was situated. There was a small stream that had a small foot bridge that only active duty could cross, but I had information they needed. I held my hands up & said they needed to hear what I'd seen. I was permi\ed to tell them but the whole time I was in the sites of at least 2 Marine snipers. Once I gave them the informarion, they mobilized the people wjlhonwpuldbdeal with that, &bthe were apprehended. They admitted their plan was to use bombs & guns to gain entry to the worksite & kill those inside. Another time, one of the sraggliest looking Machetero wannabes tried to run me off the road, but when s couple cop cars came down the other side of the road, he wh=ledno# onto a dirt side road. A woman ru,ING on the base one evening was faced with a nmachete-wielding man who did manage to cut her but only superficially. I was teaching school at a missionary school when the PR electrical workers' union didn't like what sounded like a very generous deal, so they went around blowing up substations & chopping down the wooden utility poles. They also enjoyed calling in bomb threats to schools. The explosion took out the power, then the bomb alarm went off (they had alarms for hurricanes, bad storms, earthquakes, firres, & bomb scares). We had to dodge live wires because the poles in front of the school were wired to a still-functional substation. We got the kids to safety, the cops came into the lot, looked at he teacherw, & said, "You make more money than we di. Look for the bombs yourselves!" & they left..never even got out of thir cars. A group of us looked for suspicious items & having found nothing, called the kids back to class. The people lived being bars because a corrupt system let them out early of they even served time at all. When I couldn't teach in the mi $ions school because my car broke down constantly, I went back to su"su"ingnat the base scjool.on Ft. Buchanan, about 8 miles down he road.. One day, we heard a huge explosion followed by multiple explosions almost as bad. The Macheteros had started a chain reaction by bombing a couple jets parked in a line & this set off the rest to explode when hit by flaming debris. 20 jets, gone. A bunch of scared kids winding if they'd be next. So many Puerto Ricans had ID cards & friends in the store to tell theme when shipments came in & we'd have to wait 2- 4 hours in line to get inside, by which time we were fortunate to find any chicken, hamburger, lunch meat, peanut butter, bread, & other staples. We all did this about 6 tums a month in hopes if getting to something before the local folks took it all to.resell ion the black market. It was easy enough to figure out...they could shop in the middle of the day, they had very nice clothes & vehicles, & would come out with huge boxes of the items I just mentioned, leaving nothingness the honest people, nor for people who were PR service members' families. It was the same with the PX...everything nice was always gone, on both bases. We had a mini-mart on our base, & if you wanted milk for your kids, you got up at 5 am (they opened at 6) to get close enough to the door to have a shot at a gallon or 2 of milk. When you came to a base gate, your ID had to be on hand if you didn't want to be looking in he barrel of an automatic rifle. Meanwh9le, 9n the tourist area, on the beach, drug kingpins sold drugs to locals & tourists alike, & no one stopped them.
I'm not the only one who has seen this. Many spouses refused to leave the base & only let their kids out for school because there was an armed escort. They would only go to Ft. Buchanan with a large group. The referendum thst has o statehood while we were there returned the same basic results as every other referendum...33-34% wanted statehood, 33-34% wanted independence, & 33-34% wanted to stay a Commonwealth. Yet th government, knowing independence would likely lead to Cuba trying to annex them (Cuba believes they, not America, owns PR). Having been denied a clear majority for independence, the Macheteros went on rampages all over the island, demanding independence & blowing stuff up to get their point across (I think they're related to the anti-Trump faction as both tend to ignore reality & act like terrorists to force people to gce in to their demands.
After all of this, I'm glad the Macheteros never got what they wanted. My PR schoolkids told me they were Cubans, but even US Intel couldn't tell the dofferences.in accent & usage. I believed them. I felt bad for the hardworking peopl wjo were always kind & generous to others, esp the ones that had no bars on their windows & doors to slow down terrorists.
But I have to ask you why it is that having seen this, people still wonder why the US wouldn't accept them as a state as readily now. IS I & AL Qaeda, which is still very much alive, Jihad in general, how any of the PR became Muslims & had any of them been Macheteros or the offspring of same? How close are they to adding to the Jihad threat? as far as I know, this sudden oa $ion ate 97% of 23% of voters have suddenly decided for everyone they want statehood after decades of a near even 3 way split in voting for independence v statehood v the status quo. Suddenly PR "decides" for atatehood. Take another vote where the independentistas & the Commonwealth people vote, too. Personally, I have no problem with statehood, but I don't want ISIS arming the Macheteros because we vote for you to be a state on a low turnout vote & they didn't want that.
GOD BLESS PUERTO RICO, IT'S A VERY BEAUTIFUL ISLAND AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, THE PROBLEM HERE IS THAT THE WET BACKS AND SOUTH AMERICANS ARE TAKING ALL THE ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE AMERICAN ISLAND THUS GETTING IGNORED. HAND IN THERE, PUERTO RICO WILL NEVER BE IGNORED.
Phillip Arroyo que trabajo extraordinario. Yo lo compartí en Facebook. Me fuí LIVE y lo compartí mientras lo veía. I subscribe to your Channel. I have a Civic Organization and I'll work for my people. 🙏❤🇵🇷