The music for this video, created by our in house composer Tom Fox, is available on our music channel, The Music Room! Follow the link to hear this soundtrack and many more: ruclips.net/video/UStx8J-YUlw/видео.html
Hi Johnny, I love your videos and you're one of my fav. people. Is there (and I speak for all people from my country) that you can do a video on the CIA's blackops and America's secret war in Somalia right now?!!?
This is why Fidel was right. They steal if you don't kick them out. I'm both Puerto Rican and Cuban. I've been to both islands. As bad as it is in Cuba because of the US doing a spiteful Haiti type campaign against it, it's STILL culturally independent from Burger King, strip clubs etc...oh yeah and the US implemented JIM CROW on the island turning the island like one big plantation 🙄
“True history” while leaving out the US literally made PR the richest Latin American “territory” in the world. So rich in comparison Latin Americans literally say stuff like “I wish we were more like PR”. It’s racist to believe that PR does not deserve to become a state and it’s a fact for literal decades now that they want to become a State. It’s also a fact become independent would massively drop their quality of life.
My wife grew up in Puerto Rico, and I visited there in 2019. Possibly the most welcoming place I’ve ever visited and I’m proud to be associated with it now with my new found family. Side note: the whole bombing run in PR against the nationalists made me think of the time at the Battle of Blair Mountain when the US government threatened to bomb its own citizens, but then private planes did it anyways with left over bombs from WWI in West Virginia. That would be an awesome topic to see done in the Harris way 🤟🏼
@@Thatotter223Pretty unbelievable people forget that, even Harris. Police even let houses burn afterwards... I am not American and even I know this story.
@@houseplant1016this was a city acting independently and not the federal government. It was ruled very much an illegal act afterwards. There is a lot to be said for the interplay between different governments in the U.S. but they are not remotely as unified as governments in many other countries are.
I’m an adult Puertorican and never before heard about our past the way I did on this video. They don’t teach these kind things on our schools. Thank you for spreading the truth and helping us to learn about our real history.
@@unlingotedehierro7136no generalices solo por lo que has vivido. Son de los pocos que saben esta historia y la gran mayoría de los puertorriqueños desconocen, hasta ni saben que la Masacre de Ponce sucedió. ¿Por qué crees que hay tanto PNP?
Exactly. We were taught that the US was invited to “save us” from Spain. When they just saw the strategic benefits of location, free labor etc. we were named from Borikén puerto rico because the location. We were the door to the Caribbean. A perfect spot for export and import entry with the world. Also we were close to Cuba, perfect for spyin during the Missile Crisis.
Every detail it’s correct my father been a Nationalist fought for Puerto Rico’s freedom and was persecuted and oppressed. Sadly betrayed by a closest friend working for the FBI. This video needs to be watched by the new generations. Thanks
As a New York-born Puerto Rican serving in our Armed Forces, I can’t tell you how much this video makes me happy that the history of my ancestors was acknowledged. By the way, I’m proud of being American, but I just wish our people were welcomed to the aegis of the United States with a little more love instead of being viewed as roaches. Johnny Harris, I salute you.
I served with so many Puerto Ricans in the Army I can tell you that per capita there's not a larger represented group of people. I think people take that for granted how much service your community gives our nation.
@@NenaCaribenaprasí son los boricuas, llevo casada con uno 15 años, cuando les conviene son americanos y otras son Puelto líqueños. aunque el tio sam no los vea o quiera como estado.
Born and raised in PR. As a personal anecdote, the first time I heard about the Carpetas or Folders was in High School, from one of my older teachers-because she herself was targeted when she was a young college student. Thank you for covering this, Johnny. It means a lot.
Well , u should be grateful that the us was running ur country instead of some other gov bcz it would've been far far worse , the reason u have access to these fbi files is bcz the us decided to accept the flaws in it's history in order to improve instead of hiding it. No matter what , eventually a world power will exist and would influence and take advantage of it one way or another , but till this day seems like the us was the least flawed one to ever exist.
Would you happen to know where I can find Las Carpetas? I'm 1/4 Puerto Rican, so I sent my father this video, and it turns out my Great Grandfather fled to the US during this time. Apparently my great grandfather had pictures of himself with somebody from the uprising, so I'm trying to see if there was a file made on my great grandfather.
That's because US education is purposefully dumbed down. They want the population smart enough to work, without being aware enough to question why they just do as they're told.
Johnny Harris only scratches the surface in whatever topic he talks about. And he basically always gets facts wrong. There is a reason “debunking Johnny Harris” is it’s own genra on RUclips. I recommend you to do more research on whatever he talks about, but know that he makes agenda driven videos with a heavy bias of neoliberal belief that government, especially the US government, is pure evil.
As a Puertorrican I can’t thank you enough for sharing this video. I really hope this helps others brothers and sisters none Puertorricans to understand why we fight so hard against the government. I pray every night that I can someday come back to the island and raise my kids there.
I cried watching this. My family went through this oppression. I have told this story many time to mainland and Island citizens that don’t recognize these events. Hopefully this narrative with an “American” accent will add credibility to what we have always known and suffered.
I was born and raised and still live in Puerto Rico. This video makes it clear to me, how when I was a child, the elders in my family would not even utter the word independence without exuding fear at the prospect of such conversations…a fear, I remember, that could be cut with a knife. My uncles and other adults were truly scared to have a pro Puerto Rico political conversation…it was almost as if they were expecting a swat team to come for them and execute them.
I hope for statehood, but I want what the people want. This is my home and I'm never leaving, if that means I'm no longer a resident of the United States than so be it.
As a Puerto Rican, I appreciate that someone is talking about these kinds of things, you don’t see these subjects being talked about much anymore. There is actually a good book called War Against all Puerto Ricans that touches on many of the subjects you said, and I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to dive into this topic. Regardless, this is another example of modern colonialism
Its really refreshing to see someone who is white telling the truth about how the United States states imperialized PuertoRico and enslaved and made puertoRico a unincorporated territory due to our african blood
that's why they are called costa rico and port rico because thats where all the riches they wanted to steal came from and where europe/church stole its wealth. never was there a place in european history called the' place of riches'. The Americas were called a true paradise because it had nothing from europe in it.
My perception of the U.S changed when i read a PR History book in 8th grade, which mentioned the 1898 invasion of the island. In 11th grade i learned all of the things mentioned in this video by actually researching outside of the school history curriculum, which cemented my pro-independence political position. What was very frustrating to see, was that my classmates and family members where not aware of their own history, because the school history classes focused on the U.S relation with PR or straight up just U.S history. Thats why it was easy for them to say we as ricans are "better off being a state", which to me is gut wrenching to hear from a rican. This is why the majority of ricans have voted for the same 2 political parties, pro-statehood or stay as "commonwealth". Independence was/is a taboo. All the fear mongering by our own socio/political divide and the brain washing of newer generations by our own education system has created puerto ricans willing to give our SOVEREIGNTY to the U.S, rather than try to fix our own problems and work for a future independent from the U.S. The most common reaction i see in puerto ricans against pro-independence arguments is raising more questions/problems they think are impossible to solve, and exaggerated fear mongering. As a pro-independence nationalist, i know the relation between the U.S and PR is very intertwined and complex. Working for a an independent PR is not going to be a drastic instant black to white change as many ricans fear. A sovereign PR would begin the process of de-colonization and maintain good relations on EQUAL terms with the U.S, targeting the complexities that carry separation from the U.S one by one. For PR to be fully independent, it will take a due process and very hard work. 2 things that nationalist are aware of and willing to work towards. The U.S itself is proof that independence doesn't come easily, but the freedom it brings is more than enough to fight for.
As a current student of Puerto Rico's education system, and as a Puertorican, I want to thank you for this video, and the sheer detail of it. I wish I had this when I studied this at school. I remember studying el carpeteo back in 9th grade, and I remember going on this huge tangent on how little videos of this whole ordeal existed. I spent weeks sifting through decades worth of documents just to try and sum it all up for a presentation worth 10% of my grade that lasted 3 minutes, and I remember seeing files on my grandparents, my own parents... And nowadays when I hear someone talk like shit about the island, I just tell them about the shit we've been through, not trying to undermine their points, but showing them the facts. But now, I can just show them this video.
Hey Johnny, I grew up on the island, and it’s sad to say that our history is very often overlooked by the international community. Additionally, many people in the United States see us as “freeloaders”, and think that the U.S. has never benefited from Puerto Rico’s political status. I really appreciate you taking the time to discuss our island’s history on your platform. Keep up the awesome work.
To me, this is the coolest place in the states. I've never felt more at home in my entire life. This is an amazing place with amazing culture and an amazing history. It's the closest thing to living a European lifestyle as you can get in the states. I'm thankful for the elders here and their wisdom.
This is literally insane! Like you know that the US government can be grimey but my God...this is disgusting AF. What really kills me is how people act like the US can do no wrong. Absolutely disgusting. As an Black American, I can only empathize with my Puerto Rican familia. When I visited, the people were so welcoming and nice. Proud of their home, as they should be. I will always love Puerto Rico!
My brother, my solidarity with your beautiful people as this country has benefited and not rewarded the labor of your ancestors. And I know today the injustices are ever present.
Critizicing your own country's misdeeds and abuses, is not hating your country. It's keeping it honest by learning from history so as not to fall into a perpetual cycle of oppression.
Especially when the US is preparing to wage war to China over Taiwan. Hypocrisy at its best. China wouldn't be better than the US if they invaded Taiwan ? Actually, it still would, because the Taiwanese would have full chinese status, unlike the Puerto Ricans, and Taiwan would be an independantly managed province of the country, like all the chinese provinces, and unlike Puerto Rico which is a colony and not a state of the United States like, say Alaska. Why is that, apart from institutional racism ? Not saying that I support the overtaking of Taiwan by China, but pointing out that Puerto Rico still has it worse after 74 years. So if I were China, I would ask why Puerto Rica isn't allowed to gain its independance, or at least, if they no longer wish for independance, why they aren't allowed to be a full on state and enjoy the same rights as other Americans. Same with all the other colonies of the US.
This has to be one of, if not, the best documentary about Puerto Rican History. I truly appreciate everything and everyone who participated in this project. Thank you so much.
I am boricua and is sad that our history is not teached properly even to us in our own island. I went to school and took history class many years, some “specialized” in our history, but it was always about the Spanish colonization, and the few times that they talked about when USA came here it was touched with so much caution and it was so sugarcoated that I didn’t notice how bad it was until much later. We have been so repressed and brainwashed that nowadays, must people here see US as some sort of saints or saviors. Touching this subject in school is hard, because teachers can get reprimended if they teach it in a way that other faculty or parents find it harsh or offensive, even if they are just stating facts.
The Puerto Ricans, to have a better life moved to the US...from dream islands to slums. The slums are operated by real estate developers who don't live in slums themselves. Decades after decades the Puerto Ricans come to the US to live together with rats, mice, coackroaches. Every Bodega sells alcohol and cigarettes at every corner. In Puerto Rico in the old times this was absent. Children had no drugs around them, only alcohol. As the most Puerto Ricans were Catholic they weren't interested in Alcohol. There wasn't no slums in Puerto Rico in the old days. No junk food that made the population sick with heart disease. The population only consumed Fruits, Vegetables and grains. No one had a disease, because there were no drugs and bad food around. One has to imagine that to have Puerto Ricans move to the US, they had to fall under a spell. What was this spell that moved magically people who lived on Paradise Islands to inner city slums, controlled by the same people who controlled Puerto Ricos cane plantations? The same invisible people who manipulated them to come to the US, destroyed Germany in ww2. The same people ruined Russia and China using Revolutions, put up gigantic prison systems to house the population in them. The same they did in the US by moving Puerto Ricans into the Prison Complex. These criminals became rich for using the Puerto Rican cane plantations as slave fields and later on offered them descendants a seat in a boat or plane to come to the US (to live in their controlled Ghettos). Book: Secrets Of The Federal Reserve by Eustace Mullins. /// The Secret Powers Behind Revolutions by Leon de Poncins. /// The Unseen Hand by Ralph Epperson. ///
As a Puerto Rican-born writer and composer, I thought I was well versed in the history of the island. Well, not as much as I thought. Thank you for posting this. Kudos to Dylan Boynukalin on the great editing and to Tom Fox on the killer soundtrack, which generated its own tension but never distracted.
As a history buff that’s been following you since the Vox days, and as a Puerto Rican, I am so happy you made this video. Through this, you will be able to reach so many ppl and inform them of the atrocities the US govt has committed against my people that so few people know about. One thing of note I’d add to the section on Rhoads is the forced sterilization of Puerto Rican women so that they couldn’t procreate.
Also ignoring the fact the US made PR have some of the highest quality of life in the entire Latin American world. And the fact the majority of PR wants to become a state.
@@AL-lh2htok and? So we are just suppose to be grateful? Because only in relation to “other” latino countries we have a better quality of life? It’s ok about the atrocities cus it’s a smidge better to live there than?
@@Zombification23i guess it easy to say that while you live in comfort, maybe go take a look at farvalas in brazil and then tell us about how “oppressed” y’all are
@@AL-lh2htdo they hav an option? They can't be independent else will be crushed, they are not getting as much rights as US citizen, so tell what option they have other than being part of US ?
@@nathan-ls8ywstfu you don’t know where I’ve been. Also I didn’t say anything about being “oppressed”. I’m saying is, just cus PR has better QoL than other Latin countries, doesn’t mean these events did not happen.
As a Puerto Rican I’ve been waiting for these video a long time, and it was great yet there is so much left to say. Because of the repression and terror campaign that the US put on independence movements we eventually became the enemy in the eyes of the public. Thanks to this a new political class of parasites grew up and seized power using a broken democracy that looked more like a dictatorship, one of those that we were told to fear. These Puerto Rican men with indirect help from the FBI and direct support from the presidents essentially romanticized our history allowing them to take over our education system and creating corrupt government systems that impoverishes the people while justifying everything with a scent of democracy and fear of socialist independence movements… Now they are passing laws that are allowing rich American millionaires to move to the Island and set up businesses tax free crippling our local economy. Not only that but all they need to not pay taxes is just one employee, thus in an attempt to cash in these people the cost of housing and goods are rising. In an Island with so much poverty I’am a lucky guy, but if this keeps up no average local will be able to live here, the inflation created by US terrorist tactics and a a corrupt government are removing us from our home. North American immigration is little by little taking our nation and the worst part is that we the people don’t even realize why this is happening. Thank Johnny Harris for a much needed video!
I'm Puerto Rican and I'm lucky from a lot of my family and it's disgusting. Multi millionaires are just walking up to locals in Rincon or other beach towns and offering homeowners blank checks to buy their properties that are not for sale.
Yeah I don’t know when you lived there but that attitude there is such a poor mentality. Corrupt ELECTED officials are the problem. Ripping people off after Maria. It’s sick.
This is happening everywhere in Central and Southern America and many 3rd world countries for some time now, some more then 100 years. How Cuba was turned into a playground for the rich organized crime and corrupt politicians and Business men is the same thing we are witnessing now in these countries. In Honduras the Young are deserting their country and with it the prospect of a promising future due to the negligence and robbing of the countries wealth and resources with no incentive to help the poor or better the education. Now the Rich are flocking to grab real estate and "free dibs" without any fair opposition from it's own country men or women. "Foreign policy" as they call it.
Research more.... There's a lot more... Our 1st native governor Luis Munoz Marin was an opium addict and a puppet to the US. So bad an addict he grew poppies at La Fortaleza to feed his addiction... Or how they killed Don Pedro Albuzu Campos by using him as a guinea pig with radiation.... They shut him down....
Thank you for sharing this part of history. “War against all Puerto Ricans” is a good book that expands on some of what you presented. Thank you for your time in putting this together!
Johnny, i just want to say thank you for this eye opening video. I am a Puertorican (born and raised) living in the US now. I also served 13 years in the US Army and have sacrificed alot for this country. But like me there are many others who will never be recognized or even mentioned just because of who we are. It pains me to say that even today 1/2/24 I still see discrimination against our people. Again thank you and this video will be a great inspiration for future generations.
When I was stationed in FT. Leonardwood, Missouri, I got into a fight with a cadre sergeant who told me to speak English off-post. My cousin was stationed in Korea in the Air Force and an officer called him a spic and my cousin knocked him out. He was dishonorably discharged from the Air Force.
What discrimination do you see against your people and why? You probably are not seeing discrimination. People want to be in their own communities with their own people. Puerto Ricans come up with a Puerto Rican flags and their own food and their own culture in a different language. If you want to live like that then go back to Puerto rico. But don't have the audacity to go to a country that has the opposite that you do and think you trying to change it is going to make people happy about it. Thank you for servicing and I am sure you were recognized for it
@@namehere4454 Not all people want to be in their own communities. many people were raised with different cultures and/or marry other cultures and live with them.
@@namehere4454 She doesn't know that 90% of Puerto Ricans speak English as it has been taught on the Island for over 100 years. She is confusing Puerto Ricans for other Latin America races.
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
Thanks Johnny! I'm a History teacher in DC and just got back from an incredible fellowship in PR and US Virgin Islands whose purpose was to learn about the territories so we could create lesson plans and help others to teach the content in the mainland US. These stories are so important to have a complex understanding of our nation. The fellowship had incredible teachers from the mainland US, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, PR and USVI. There's a lot of rich content from each of the territories - their stories are so different and yet so similar. If you want ideas or connections for future videos on any of the territories let me know! Thank you again for helping to include their stories!
Hi! I would love to hear more connection stories! and I’m interested in any lesson plans regarding PR or other US territories! i am a ELD and foreign language teacher myself. I like to incorporate history in my units while learning about cultures outside of mainland USA. Thank you!!
As a Puerto Rican, both born and raised in the island, this is my first time hearing about this which I find TERRIFYING. I was felt like an out-sider and treated different till this day, I could never get down to what the issue was exactly, and then I see this. Thank you!
Thank you so much for platforming our countrys truth. Mainlanders are so ignorant about PR both as a fault of their own but also lack of education. It broke my heart to watch this. Its some of the most violent acts ive ever heard of. Lets also not forget and show respect to all of the women who were tricked into trialing birth control. Not only did they inject us with cancer but they wanted to curb our fertility. WE ARE PUERTO RICANS. WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED. WE ARE HUMAN.
Very informative. I think it’s also important to touch on how these colonial laws are still in play, how they stifle economic growth in the island and also how the Federal government turned the island into a tax haven for American billionaires and millionaires, yet the locals aren’t able to even afford gas or groceries.
Absolutely, im only 17, and im already freaking out about my life as a full grown adult here, food is too expensive, and its hard to indulge in pleasures we once had before inflation had hit hard
My husband’s grandmother was sterilized in her very early 20’s in the 1950’s without her consent…my jaw dropped when I found out. More should know the truth…its horrific
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
I consider myself a history buff, and I am appalled that I had no clue Puerto Rico was bombed. Goes to show the lengths the US takes to cover up this part of history. Yet again another great video Johnny, thanks for shedding light on this.
Usonians have no clue about anything that isn't their own history. 1st lesson: America is not USA. nd you are not American. Start learning that. And no, North and South are not continents, are subcontinents.
As a Puerto Rican I’m indignant about all the abuse, including using Vieques as a testing ground for weapons. They left without leaning up their mess and it’s still not safe there.
This video needs to be about an hour long. It will be nice to have it in Spanish for the people of Puerto Rico to actually watch it. It is unbelievable how many don’t know our history even in our own island. Thank you for this video. There is so much more that needs to be said
Because Americans don’t want people to be educated on that matter.. that is something that should be taught in school all across the US It’s part of History and geography
Puerto rican here. My Grandmother & her family lived in Jayuya around the 50s. They saw the Uprising attack first hand. My grandma tells me she saw her father convicing a member of the National Guard infantry to put their gun down. Hearing all this information first hand is heartbreaking. Worst part? That's not the only story I have. During the lockdown, I was taking history class, and we were discussing Utuado's takeover. My history teacher told us how one of her close family members was from Utuado, and saw the shootout happen. She said that after looking for cover, she saw a bleeding man who was writing a message with his own blood. Sure, while I’m glad we have an ally in the US to provide us with technology, services & more, the government’s greed for territorial gains & authority over the people can’t be ignored. Their atrosities need to be adressed more.
I am a Hawaiian from the island of Maui, the last island in Hawaii to farm sugar. It’s very eye opening to see that Puerto Rico’s history is almost identical to Hawaii, and in fact most of these events were happening parallel to the same events in Hawaii.
Many Puerto Rican’s were shipped to Hawaii. There’s a place where they play the same guitar, music and other cultural except the language. Google it. PR in Hawaii.
I’m from the island, I’m 76 year old. I have lived in Florida for about 35 years and my experience living here is telling me that the issues with the island would never change. Not that I doubt their capacity to handle the horrible situation they are constantly facing, but the ignorance about what really happened in those years makes hard for them to understand their problems are far to be over. There are no way out , because the people in power don’t care for others than their own benefits. It’s a never ending story , no one cares!!!
I’m Mexican but love my Puerto Rican hermanos y hermanas. They can take our lands but not our culture, influence and unity as Latinos. Mucho amor a todos! Los quiero!
A ustedes tambien le robaron sus tierras y no los valoran. Con el trabajo arduo que tu bella gente hace en este pais en todas las areas de trabajo. Mis respetos hermanos!
@@moegreene3630 funny how the word cowboy came from a black guy with hat and boot. So I don’t know why you are laughing. You’re making fun of something that blacks had as well? And now the whole southern of the USA does too.
this video had me crying a bit. i’ve visited family in puerto rico, and it’s also sad to see how little the government cares to invest even the smallest bit of money in basic infrastructure. the amount of damage the US has done to the island is unforgivable.
Well, it made me angry, the US is always under a facade of freedom fairness, and the right to happiness for all. All it really is a Corporation run by heartless people who don't care about people in general let alone others that look different and act different from them. I read somebody commented themselves as subhuman that's actually brainwashed thinking. We are the real humans God created on Earth those who are ruling are the children of Cain whose father is the Devil Himself who deceived Eve in the garden. We must read our Bible to understand these things they may have intellectual minds but the spiritual gift that was given to us by the almighty Father who is in heaven far surpasses their intellect. All we have to do is remember that and reclaim our place on Earth we have to come back to the Father that's the only way.
@@ellislyon4804 It isn't true considering Puerto Rico was actually not even far behind the USA technologically or standards wise prior to the USA taking Puerto Rico. The literal history of the island says otherwise.
As Puerto Rican this was a hard video to watch but necessary. Is always a good reminder to see our history so we don’t make the same mistake and keep fitting against injustice. Thanks for this video I think every puertorincan should watch it.
I haven't seen the video yet but based solely on your comment of injustices and cruelties(?) towards you by the Americans - isn't Puerto Rico given an opportunity to vote if they want to remain part of the US or an independent country every now and then? So, my question is: why don't Puerto Ricans vote to be an independent country to be free of US rule and their injustices and cruelties? I'm not from the Americas so I really don't know mind you.
@@cashewnuttel9054No, our people have never once been consulted by the US Federal Government in a formal binding referendum in the past 125 years of US invasion, occupation and colonization. Rigged non-binding plebiscites orchestrated by the corrupt ruling colonial administrations have been held periodically to further their respective political interests.
@@cashewnuttel9054 because we aren’t taught this in schools. Instead we are brainwashed into believing that the US is our salvation and that without them, we will become the next Cuba (mind you, the Cuban situation is also the US’ fault but people don’t want to admit that to themselves). Also, people have voted to become a state multiple times but congress never acknowledges it. We deserve to be independent.
@@josephlivessan Let me rephrase what you said: "Because we subhumans know that we can't make it on our own. Why would we throw away our advantage of moving to the US without needing a passport or visa? Why would we want to be independent and end up like venezuela, or as you said cuba, both ran by subhumans like us? Why would we want to be independent and risk being refugees later on? Why should we listen to children who want independence but have no idea how to run a country, and may even lead us to hardship? No, thank you. Yes, the US may have oppressed us from time to time, but the risk of a far worst oppression and actual hardship might a wait us should we choose to be independent. That's why we only have a 5% turnout for independent and 60+% for statehood. If children want to be independent, then go move to cuba." There, I rephrased what you said.
@@dangercat9188 Yeah... become independent and turn into a crap hole that needs handouts to survive, that has extreme poverty, massive corruption, terrorism, and worst of all refugees - all this for "culture".
Wow, what a shame on the US. Im dominican and i feel indignated by all the stuff they did to our neighbors. Im so sorry for what happened to our brothers.
Born in Brooklyn, from Puertorican parents, I want to thank you for telling the truth as it is until this day. Heartbreaking to remember how our ancestors suffered in the search of freedom. Losing their peace, their land, their family, their rights, their souls but not their pride. Despierta Boricua 🇵🇷 🇵🇷Thank you, thank you 🇵🇷
Mira pa ya.esta es la primera ve en mi vida que oigo. Esta histia de mi patria PR. Eso quiere desir claramente que la culpa que PR. Este como esta la tiene Estados unidos. Y todabia se llenan la voca ablando de de mocrasia. DIOS castiga sin Bara y sin fuete.por eso es que esta nacion ba poco a poco perdiendo poder en el mundo y al gun dia ba a perder su imperio como la nacion mas ponderosa del mundo. Ya eso se venir por que ya se ve que E.U. esta perdiendo poder en el mundo y un dia su imperio derrumbara y colasara.. y empesara su castigo . Ya se ve que esta nacion ba Cuesta a bajo de Mal en peor. y seguira asi. Por que escrito esta. Nadie es mas grande que Dios. y este imperio al dia caera.gracias por este interesante ducumental.
My heart was beating at 1000 beats per second, as I was watching this video. I was born and raised in The Dominican Republic and have always heard stories of my grandfather from my mother's side, who's parents were Puerto Ricans who flew out of Puerto Rico by the end of the XX century. My great grandparents were from Arecibo Puerto Rico and yesterday my mom was showing my the birth certificate of my great grandpa....It's like a massive mix of feeling just flew through my mind and, just thinking of how the risk everything and left their lives behind, preferring freedom over being enslaved by US.. a piece of my heart belongs to Puerto Rico ❤
I was in Puerto Rico in the 70's. One of the documents I saw in your video, I recognized one of the names and address. Thanks for confirming what I suspected all these years. I've always been proud to be Puerto rican-american, now I'm just Puertorican.
To all of my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters: although we cannot undo the past, we can make improvements to the present and future. For better or worse, we have the privilege of being a part of the United States of America. Sure, we can be independent, but in the best case scenario, our nation's economy will place it in the third world, or in the worst case, it will become the next Cuba. With so much debt and economic unrest, Puerto Rico is fortunate if it can develop an economy similar to that of Mexico. However, if we continue on our current course without US assistance, we will soon become a 20th-century Cuba. The USA will, in my opinion, be more advantageous for our interests. Actually, I believe that Puerto Rico's status as a US "States" will benefit the island economically. Puerto Ricans will be able to benefit from everything that US states have. Actually, the United States continues to defend and solve Puerto Rico's economic problems because the island is still a part of the United States. So, in my opinion, it is better for the United States to make Puerto Rico a state because it will now be able to totally salvage the island's economy. In exchange, the United States will be more rich as a result of the addition of states, which will increase money in the country, with Puerto Rico becoming a successful state.
@@anthony14363 I somewhat agree, but the economy and the vast amount of debt we are in needs to be addressed with corruption domestically. Our own government officials are putting us in a position of subjugation and overall control. The U.S. has made many promises and incorporated other means of debt reduction and forgiveness. They never went forward with it because of our own twisted policies that we have made out of desperation and impulsiveness. The biggest debt holder is the electric power authority here in PR, now think about this, who appoints these organizations and other powerhouses on the island to otherwise “sustain” the economic flow? The U.S. government. We are being deliberately subjugated through means of real estate in terms of gentrification, high taxes, lower income positions, and division amongst all other things. Why are we relying on the one thing that placed us in the position we are in? Grow some balls and use your independence that you are born with. This is modern times, we have plenty more resources and opportunities. We are attracting investors which is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. It all depends on the circumstances, That helps with the economy by a lot. See the bigger picture??? If not then here is the more dumbed down answer. Basically the U.S is responsible of our subjugation and economic crisis.
@@anthony14363Puerto Rico can still thrive independent, it has vast resources the US uses, an independent Puerto Rico will have claims to those resources, it will continue to have US military and economic assistance because the US would not want Russia or China to make a military base there so you bet the Americans are going to keep protecting their interests in the island, including trading resources and training the new Puerto Rico Army to keep Puerto Rico under US influence, I honestly don't believe it will become Cuba or Venezuela because there are small countries like Bahamas and Singapore who thrive, the fact that we speak Spanish doesn't mean we will end up like Cuba or Venezuela and Puerto Rican politicians will have a better advantage because they know the American way of government, worst case scenario Puerto Rico adopts China's Communism a mix of Capitalism with Socialism, where in the economy is good but the government has absolute control of your life and you have no freedom of speech, and the fact China with that model has become the 2 best economy of the 190+ countries just behind the US which is #1 is scary, but neither statehood or independence will ever happen why? Because businesses in Puerto Rico don't pay federal taxes, multi billionaire companies like that and will want to keep it that way because they save money, a lot of Congressman and Senators have businesses in Puerto Rico and don't have to pay Federal tax, statehood will make them pay the federal tax and independence will make them pay the taxes impose by the new Puerto Rico, both options from their point of view would be like shooting yourself in the stomach.
This is recent memory, my grandfather was a victim of “las carpetas” because he had sympathies with “los nacionalistas” and was part of a radical group called “Los Macheteros”. He was spied upon for 40+ years, including my grandmother, my father and all his siblings. Some have forgotten our troubled past here in Puerto Rico, hopefully this sheds some light for those who never knew. Thank you Johnny Harris for this video.❤🇵🇷
40 years. I can't even imagine living that long in fear that at any moment your door could be broken down by a SWAT team. It's terrifying. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And here's the question, how is the US different from the USSR? Only we were all told that the USSR was watching out for "traitors to the fatherland", while the USA was always told that there was freedom and prosperity there.
Thank you, John Harris. You accurately captured 125 years of oppression in just 20 mins. For those who want to know more, read the book "War Against All Puerto Ricans" by Nelson Denis.
You might want to check out the 1990 film A Show of Force. It's not specifically about this, but more recent events in the 70s where nationalists were also involved and how the US government also put their hand in.
La verdad es q somos unos niños mimados de 🇺🇸 que nos tienen en bandeja de oro y plata y no sabemos lo q es sufrir y trabajar de verdad pana. Boricua viviendo en Colombia Y venezuela 🇻🇪
A mi me enseñaron esto en la escuela. Las nuevas generaciones están más expuestas a la información y los maestros no se sienten tan oprimidos. Eso me enorgullece. Además que luego del huracán ese orgullo Boricua siento q tuvo un renacer. No creo que llegaré a ver mi isla un país libre pero la mentalidad de que dependemos de US ha cambiado un poco
@@marilishr5978 la mayoría de los Boricuas no saben lo mal que les va al resto de los latinos. En el mundo real no hay tarjeta de la familia, no hay dinero de desempleo no hay reforma si uno necesita eso la realidad es q si no tiene dinero se muere. No saben lo bien que nos va y si estamos oprimidos es por que los políticos se roban el dinero que USA nos manda. En el mundo real la mayoría de los latinos no pueden ir a USA 🇺🇸 a trabajar y ahorrar dinero 💰. En el mundo real tienen que salir por el Darien si sobreviven o cruzar la frontera. Vivimos en una burbuja 🫧 en PR No agradecemos lo que tenemos y cuando caigamos en las manos de nuestros políticos corruptos y no haya más billones de 🇺🇸 vamos a ver cómo se vive en RD y Haití.
@@Grace-yp1yt asi es no tienen idea 💡 de lo cruel y difícil que es la vida para todos los latinos y el resto de los países asiáticos Indiues árabes todos viven vidas sumamente difíciles condiciones infrahumanas zero derechos humanos donde único es medio aceptable es en 🇺🇸
The fact that the US and most of the world don't know about this event and that the US says they are the good ones really enforces the quote "History is written by the victors." I'm not Puerto Rican, I'm Australian, yet I feel a deep sense of pity and sorrow for the people of Puerto Rico. Well done on the video Mr. Harris, you gave me more historical insight than schools ever could. Edit: damn, I've started a debate
@thrayblackgold2252 Yeah I know about it. They constantly remind us about the crimes against aboriginals every year in education, news etc. But still, to this day, aboriginals aren't treated with the same rights as the rest of Australians.
@@BeginnerSkier115It’s almost like humanity hasn’t changed. Like there are still monsters here we could all fight against. If you don’t see this 1898 fight as a miscarried liberation, I encourage you to look at South Korea and the state of Afghani human rights at this very moment.
I'm Puertorican and I thought about Australian aboriginals watching this 😢 I have always felt a deep rage about what happened and still happens to them. There's a sad connection between our countries...
He also conveniently left out the fact that PR has some of the best, if not the best, quality of life out of any Latin America “Territory” on the planet. Also the fact the majority of PR wants to become a state for many decades now.
After the Independista revolution, children in Puerto Rican schools were taught that farming was dirty and for ignorant people...that's why Puerto Rico now grows about 2% of its own food. The view of farming as unworthy work is still prevalent here in the central mountains. Sad...
Fantastic. I sent this video to my entire family. My grandfather told me the stories of his life in the sugar farms and the rampant alcoholism present in his town where there wasn’t much else to look forward to - but he worked hard to get my mother to the mainland to escape life in Puerto Rico. I’m a child of the diaspora, “lucky” to have my skin color so I can blend into this country where people don’t even know Puerto Rico, much less black and brown Puerto Ricans are one of them.
I'm currently living in the BVI and I travel to PR every few months as it's one of my favorite places... But I didn't realize the history was so dark. I've got a greater appreciation for PR and my Puerto Rican friends.
I grew up in the Island, left when I was 12, went to high school and college in the States. Never, did anyone teach about these things. We heard the stories, we learn of Campos, but as a kind of instigator. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this!! I hope Americans in the main island get a better understanding of the backdrop that has created the theater they see on their tele screens every once in a while. 🙏
I know that my grandfather was in the Carpetas… I also know that they haven’t stop doing carpetas for people that want the independence for PR or are always in strikes. I remember going to one strike of the public university, and some people told me don’t say your name to any one and when you see police officer just cover yourself. Thanks for doing this video, and I hope some people they notice what USA has done to us.
As a born and raised Puerto Rican this absolutely breaks my heart in a million pieces... I can't believe my Island has gone through this in it's history. But truly thank you for telling our true history and bringing awareness to it. Mucho amor de la isla de coquis ❤🇵🇷
Last time I checked Puerto Rico was worse off under Spain. If it weren’t for the US, the region would be irrelevant like the rest of the smaller Caribbean nations.
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
Como te dejas manipular por un video comunista y manipulador. El nacionalismo es la desgracia de los pueblos. Al menos los cubanos hemos pagado con lágrimas de sangre que un poco de nacionalistas hayan guiado el país lejos de los EEUU cuando lo que debieron hacer los cubanos de principios del siglo XX fue pedir la anexión a los EEUU.
Thank you thank you thank you for this! I read all this in the book “War Against All Puerto Ricans”. And till this day I tell everyone about it! Thank you for spreading our history. We have been used, abused and invisible for far too long.
My great grandmother was born to native parents (which is also lied about in history books, often stating that we were/are extinct. We’re not. I grew up with my Boricua culture, words & traditions) in 1908 in Naranjito. Until her death in 2017, she spoke to me about what the US has done to us throughout her lifetime, not only as natives, but as Puerto Ricans period. With her words, and my own experiences, I see that this treatment never ended, but only grew to be concealed. The violence we see ever growing on the island is a direct result of the exploitation we as a people have faced. I’m from Bayamon, with a half Dominican, half South African mother who is very much in love with this island. I’m from the mainland by birth, but I will forever fight for this beautiful island that my family will forever call home.
This explained why my mother at age 10 with her family came here to NYC in 1950. She didn’t even know her own history on the island. This is an excellent video with an excellent explanation of what happened to Puerto Rico at the hands of the United States. I have been doing research for years and went to the island several times to get records on my family. I have gone back through the church to the age of slaves in the 1800s. I continued up until they came here. My Abuela, grandmother, told me some stories that I thought were a little outlandish, but obviously true after watching this video. They don’t write this in history books. You have to search for them, for the information, for the atrocities, for the murders. All for US, dollars! I won’t go on because my anger clouds better judgment. But let it be known that the United States did this to their citizens.
Because their brain washed. After the Cuban revolution A lot of independence advocates threw their hands in With Castro. So it made it very easy for the pro colonialist government to paint all independent advocates as these radical Communist Who want to make Puerto Rico an authoritarian state like Cuba. Thankfully that is fading away. The PIP is getting momentum After their historic election results In 2020. Today they have formed a coalition with other progressive movements and are led by the charismatic juan dalmau who may be the islands 1st pro independence governor
Franklin Irizarry Lugo: All puertoricans livig today are borned under the US Flag. The education system is under federal hands. Trerefor they never tell us. Treir crimes commited in our land! In tris article I have learned for the first time. All the crimes that they have commited! But one hundred and twenty four years of domination ... It's not an easy task! To undestad thrir crimes. Even today we still strougling. For our survival as a nation! We have never sorrounded aur language. Neither our culture! We have refused to become a state. And consider ourselves as hispanics. Not as gringos! And where we ever go we identify ourselves. As puertorricas! They may have conquered our land. But have never conquered ... our heart! And we still speaking in spanish. And feeling aurselves not americans. But puertorricans! If you take a look to all colonies arounnd the world. You may see tha most of their people have lost their language! But ours still ... intact! See what I mean? They have conquered our land. But not our heart! We have never ... surrendered it! Amen.
Yo lamento cada día que Cuba allá quedado fuera en esta situación. Que bueno sería que las compañías americanas estuvieran en Cuba “explotándonos” de esa manera no tuviéramos que arriesgar nuestras vidas para buscar trabajo en los Estados Unidos. Que bueno fuera que el FBI estuviera en Cuba casando comunistas y evitando que tomaran el poder con su sistema miserable y tiránico.
True we share so much with Hawaii plus there's so many Puerto Ricans their how we have the same flower that represents our Island except theirs is yellow how are Couqi can survive and prosper in Hawaii although the Hawaiians kill it which is sad... But just the history of atrocities so many similarities
🇵🇷 As a Puerto Rico born American citizen. I want to Thank you for this video. More videos like this are needed so that Americans on the mainland can learn what it is that we have gone through over the last 100 + years of being property of the United States. It's videos like this that may get Puerto Rico and its citizens the acknowledgment, respect, and even the retribution that we deserve. Again, thank you so much. This was an unexpected find, that despite everything shown on this video it further solidifies how proud I am to be a Puertorican. Que Bonita Bandera, la Bandera Puertoriqueña 🇵🇷🇵🇷
I’ve always wondered why Puerto Rico was a part of the US but not a state. We never learned anything about Puerto Rico in school and now I know why. Just another case of the US trying to bury a shameful, shady past.
@@ChildEater84874 I mean what school did you go too? I meant to Academia Fowlers and they taught it there It’s also possible you didn’t pay attention during history class because I know plenty of other students didn’t and still ask questions that were covered in that class. Then again history was my favorite
@sevenblessed2543 American history heavily edit what happened to Hawaii and how it became the 50th State. Otherwise, we would have known and criticized how the U.S dethroned and killed the royal family simply because the government feared Japan and the island was in a strategic position.
Por favor deja la hipocrecia. Si Los puertoriqueños huviesen querido ser libre hace tiempo Que hubiese sido libre. Puerto Rico libre para que? Para estar comiendo mierda como venezuela y Cuba. Tu parece que no lees la historia. Que abusos y crimenes? A Puerto Rico se lo Dan todo. Porque no te vas a Venezuela por un mes para ver si vas a seguir con esa mierda. Dale gracias a Dios que fue Ron Los estados unidos que se encargaron de Puerto Rico y no fue Russia o China o Sabe Dios Quien. Estoy seguro que eres de Los que disfrutan de Los cupones y el welfare.
As a Puerto Rican man I would like to take this moment to say thank you to you for sharing the story of all of the horrible things that the United States did to my family we are native Indians to this island my family’s last name is Ribot from my grandfather who was a French legionnaire that retired in Puerto Rico and married my grandmother Soto💯❤️🇵🇷🙏🏽
Great summary of our situation, and of the FBI’s customary tactics for civilian spying. A quick note: “Campos” is mostly known and referred to by his full name, “Pedro Albizu Campos”, or by his two last names, “Albizu Campos”, which were sometimes prefaced by “Sir” or “Don” in Spanish [as in “Don Pedro Albizu Campos”]. As is customary in Spanish naming traditions, we all have compound last names where we carry our father’s last name first, and then our mother’s last name second. So Pedro’s father’s first last name was Albizu, and his mother’s first last name was Campos. I’m making a point of this because many English-speakers tend to mistakenly call Spanish-speakers by shortened but incorrect last names using the second part of said last names, rather than the first. All to say that if one were to shorten Pedro Albizu Campos’ last name it would be Pedro Albizu, or just Albizu, but never Pedro Campos, nor Campos, as you’re referring to him on the video. The distinction is further poignant because as a youngster, being the product of an illegitimate relationship [his father was married to another woman different from Pedro’s mother], Don Pedro was actually referred to as Pedro Campos. Anecdotally, his father only recognized him after graduating from Harvard with distinctions, by which time he already went by his full name Pedro Albizu Campos. Just mentioning it because on your video, by calling Albizu Campos as “Campos”, without any reference to his original background, it sounds more like a mistake or an omission, rather than referring to his illegitimacy. Regardless of all this, no one contemporaneously refers to Don Pedro Albizu as “Campos”. Speaking of using proper names, thanks for the article and for bringing attention to our “unincorporated territorial condition” [which is nothing else than an obfuscated euphemism for “colonial status”].
Spanish names are nice. Maria Montserrat Martin-Armas, a researcher in Norway once got a research grant letter addresses to Montserrat Martin-Armas Institute😂
Thank you for saying that. I've been called Mr. Vázquez on social media bc that's my second last name. Some americans seem to think that our first last name meaning our father's last name is really like a middle name. Ppl like congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is often referred to as Alexandria Cortez or Miss Cortez.
i do completely understand the naming process. but that is a paternalistic cultural choice and has been sued to oppress. the mother is a fact and was observed (in child birth) the fathers name is a given honor name a mother bestows on her child -typically by marriage or by the mother declaring who the father is. (if child is out of wedlock). In many paternalistic cultures -notably USA-mothers are eliminated all together. typically a new born is given a first name (of its own) a middle name to differentiate it from other people with same first & last name. the last name (of course) is typically the fathers name. (in most western cultures) Unless the mother states otherwise in the course of a marriage --all the children are property of the father --by law--until recently where mothers started to get "rights" to their own child! but of course our blessed corrupt courts in the USA are turning back the civil rights protections and mothers are losing custody and rights of their beloved children and the fathers are gaining/given sole custody like in centuries past. Mothers are being erased -globally too. Thus this naming in USA has been primary about fathers & their rights & their family tree & name. such as "TRUMP" we routinely call people by their last name-their fathers name. I am secretly proud (kinda am public about this) of the Spanish naming & acknowledging the mothers! I would love to see all children have both their mom & dads names.(then we can see the family tree) I blessed my children with that gift & i am not Spanish- a father & mother name. It just seems like the right thing to do. but thanks to USA oppression and the limited data fields in USA computer systems --the name gift is rarely stated. But it remains on their birth certificate & baptismal records. They will always have proof of who is their Mother. Bless Momma Campos!
I’ve been waiting for this for years. Thank you, Johnny, for giving attention to this incredibly important story. You pretty much left it halfway, might I add. Independence efforts continued well into the 70s and 80s with the help of Filiberto Ojeda and his Boricua Popular Army (Macheteros) and the famous Cerro Maravilla murders, where two independence supporters were assassinated by undercover cops with the knowledge of the whole state apparatus. It’s gripping stuff that really underscores the reality of today’s Puerto Rican politics and might explain the possible (if trends hold up) uptick of support for independence in the regional elections.
you're right I could have included so much more. we decided to give a lot of time to the Carpetas as we felt this was a salient and poorly understood part of the history
@@johnnyharris Understandable! It’s a lot of story to condense, so you and the team did a great job regardless. This is necessary history to document, so from one journalist to another, thank you for taking the time to shine a light on my beautiful island 🙏
Yep. Many things left out. A key fact he left out was the US law making the display of the Puerto Rican flag illegal in the island. I'm glad that he covered the assassination attempt in the United States Capitol building because it shows just how far Puerto Ricans were willing to go to gain independence.
I knew some of the topics discussed because my grandfather was an army vet from Puerto Rico, it’s crazy to think as a kid living there we were free, but as I grew I found out we were looked as a work force decades before I was born. You’ve taught me more of my culture just now than ever
He made a propaganda piece that ignored every benefit PR has had with the US. Like some finger highest quality of life in the entire Latin American world.
I’m from the island and I implore you to look more into it. We have things missed here like the Cerro Maravilla massacre done by the authorities, the entirety of Filiberto Ojeda and Los macheteros including his assassination by the FBI in 2006, and the gag law that didn’t even let us fly our flag. Puerto Rico has a rich history of struggle and it’s been pushed under the rug
I am Puerto Rican and live on the island, it’s nice to see that you took an interest in our history under the USA. More people should know more about this.
@@tauceti8060 unfortunately not as strong as it once was but the tides are changing. After hurricane Maria there’s definitely been an increase in the independence sentiment. It’s taken generations for the movement to heal from the wounds the US caused
@@tauceti8060 Yes, there is an entire political party. Weird that the majority of Puerto Rican do not want to leave the protection and freedom that being allied with the United States provides.
I really love your videos, as a Puerto Rican I can confirm that this is just the tip of the iceberg. In another note, my wive works at the Archivo General in the Archivo de las carpetas. A couple of months ago she told me you were doing a piece on Carpeteo. Reading her name in the special Thanks sections is such a beautiful feeling. Thank you!
I have to say this, I have a massive journalistic crush on Johnny Harris he does all the things I like: using maps, explains everything to the T and talks about things that you don't tend to hear on mainstream media. Thank you, Johnny, for this 👏🏾
If only he did more actual journalism and less editorializing. It doesn’t bother you because you agree with his agenda and politics, but it has no place in journalism. And he weaves his politics and narrative into all of his videos. That’s not journalism, it’s propaganda.
"explains everything to the T" - not strictly true friend and don't believe everything Johnny says because his videos are edited well. Exactly like @JP-yl6on says, he weaves his politics and his narrative in to all of his videos quite subtly, that isn't true honest journalism, it's propaganda!
Great job spot on puts a smile on my face hearing the the story from someone that doesn’t look like me. We are been pushed out today it’s sad a beautiful welcoming island. RIP Don Pedro and we still want it and still fighting. Please cover part 2 on the BPA, RIP Filiberto Ojeda Ríos
We still use the term "carpeteo'" when someone know a lot of details about somebody. People still don't know where it came from. Thank you for investigating this piece.
My great grandpa moved from Puerto Rico to Dominican Republic in the 50’s because of the hunger and abuse 😢 My grandma used to tell me that they had Soldiers in her classroom that prevented teachers from speaking Spanish.
if you’re comfortable sharing info like this, I would look into the boom War Against All Puerto Ricans which details everything that happened during this time down to a storyline. Highly recommend this book. it changed my life.
You should have mentioned the sterilisation experiments performed on the island, because two of my aunts were among the victims. My abuela said they were only to mention they were there for medical research, but it was nothing but surgical removal of their cervices and tubes, which took away their ability to have kids. This went on for decades.
I didn’t learn about this til my college gender and women studies. Not only that but they experimented with birth control on women there. Most didn’t know which is so fucked. I’m so sorry 😞
As a Puerto Rican I can’t thank you enough for this video. More people need to know that dark side if our history. It’s really sad to see how the US took advantage of the island and still does to this day.
No offense here but we should get independence instead not only they be free but they can also have their own currency and more, so they can still pay it.
How... why does no one in the education system teach this in class!? As a Puertorican myself, I am extremely astonished yet angry at the same time not knowing the majority of this! This is history! This! This has to be preserved and shown! Thank you for making this! I am now much more informed than what I was taught 20 years ago in class
They just don't want you to know the truth!! Sadly most of us learn about this at University of Puerto Rico or from politically left leaning family and friends which keep being label as communists and socialists, marxists, leftists, etc...Somo of us are called communist just because we want to conserve the environment...
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
To answer your question. Why would they? If anything could be learned from this video is the fact that the mainland government does not want another uprising. Campos was a hell of a man and they silenced him. Read the book to learn more
Thank you for your time and love as a journalist exposing true events and continued abuse, it saddens me so much .After being conquered by Spain and now abused by the United States someone needs to be accountable for all the past abuse that this beautiful island has sustained. Is clearly brought to light and noted in the FBI reports kept by the United States government . Let it be it's confession of all its attricities and become liable for its worth for compensation owed to Puerto Rico and to Puerto Rican all over the world, and military.🇵🇷❤️🙏
I’m not sure if I want to scream or cry. For what the people of Puerto Rico had to go through back in the day. I know present day, there’s still a colony but this just makes me sick to my stomach.
Being Puerto Rican I really value and appreciate the hard work and research you put into this video! Always enjoy all your videos and topics, thanks again Johnny Harris, keep up the great work 👍
As a second-generation member of the Puerto Rican diaspora, this reopened the depressing feelings I had after listening to the La Brega podcast :( Thank you for putting this out for more people to learn about.
A sad truth and story. I am PROUDLY PUERTO RICAN, I love my island, I live in it and I have not changed it. At the same time, I am ashamed to know that a Puerto Rican sold us to the highest bidder, Luis Muñoz Marin had something to do with this whole debacle. He was a fundamental piece for what we are today. The worst thing is that in the minds of many we were indoctrinated to depend on the US and today, I have to say that PR depends too much on the US and at the same time, the US does not let us go because we have too much (more than people think) to give them. God have mercy on us all. Thank you for this work and summary of our history.
sometimes(all the time) as an “American” it’s terrifying to see the evil and treachery this country has committed. Absolutely disgusting and sad. Yo amo mi gente de PR ❤️🇵🇷
@@cthulhux6361we do, we were one of the first countries to abolish slavery; we're one of the fairest and most impartial countess in the world; and we're one of the few where a person can change the trajectory of their life with hard work. Where actual wrongs have been committed we've worked to correct them.
The hypocracy of the US is astounding! Seems like the Stasi in East Germany took note and inspiration from these suppressive surveillance tactics. I am glad that your video is allowed to remain on this platform. Thank you! Same as, how the US stole Hawaii
Ironic how they fought against an imperialist government because of taxes meanwhile they manipulate us kill us mistreat us and silence us just so they can fill they’re goddamned pockets
@managed9348 pay? Bro, everyone has paid enough. I don't see why people don't just move on and be happy with the things we have, and I'm saying this as a puertorican (San lorenzo)
@@lockheedmartinf-22raptor73 let’s say this a guy comes to your house kills your whole family and your dog but then they’re celebrated for saving an old lady from a fire wouldn’t you want the person who killed your whole family to pay Edit coming from a Puerto Rican who knows his history because we were free for 6 months but the US did a blitzkrieg on us took us over in less than 2 weeks while we were free we even had our own economy and military that was developing if we kept the way we see we’d be the new Singapore of the world
Nunca lo había visto pintado tan plenamente. Honestamente, ahora sé pq ser boricua está cabrón, y es porque hemos sobrevivido y persistimos. Existencia es resistencia.
We Puerto Ricans think where suffering so 😢 much because where a US Colony but we have no Idea 🤷🏻♂️ how bad Colombians Venezuelans , Mexicans Peruvians Ecuadorians have it it’s really a joke how blessed we are and how bad it is outside the USA 🇺🇸 people would kill to have the US citizenship and we are so spoiled and thankless.
Si vamos a llorar 😢 por que tenemos la ciudadanía americana tarjeta de la familia plan médico 🏥 educación prestigiosa gratis mientras en el resto de Colombia venezuela 🇻🇪 Mexico tienen $1 la hora y zero beneficios y viven en condiciones infra humanas
It is amazing to see how a foreigner understands Puerto Rican history better than most Puertoricans, and even better that our so-called leaders, which strive to keep Puerto Rico a colony of the U.S., in fact, the oldest colony in the Caribbean. Congratulations to a job well-done to Johnny Harris and all the producers of this amazing and important exposé.---Dr. Freddie Gutiérrez (PhD Puerto Rican and Caribbean History)
Unfortunately, every empire conquering a small territory needs hundreds of traitors from that territory to align with the empire's intentions. That's why Puerto Rico is still an American colony, not because the American empire has done much about it but because of the handful of traitors selling their land and people for a fistful of dollars. Great report. Thanks for sharing!
The music for this video, created by our in house composer Tom Fox, is available on our music channel, The Music Room! Follow the link to hear this soundtrack and many more: ruclips.net/video/UStx8J-YUlw/видео.html
Hi Johnny, I love your videos and you're one of my fav. people. Is there (and I speak for all people from my country) that you can do a video on the CIA's blackops and America's secret war in Somalia right now?!!?
keep up the expose Johnny. nice one mate. Have you done a vid on the murder of the Hawaii Royal Family by usa agents and troops?
This is why Fidel was right. They steal if you don't kick them out. I'm both Puerto Rican and Cuban. I've been to both islands. As bad as it is in Cuba because of the US doing a spiteful Haiti type campaign against it, it's STILL culturally independent from Burger King, strip clubs etc...oh yeah and the US implemented JIM CROW on the island turning the island like one big plantation 🙄
Johnny, the USA bomb black wall street in Tulsa OK remember.
The U.S. used biplanes to bomb miners striking at Blair Mountain in 1921 - en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Blair_Mountain
this is the first time in my entire life i see someone actually talk about our true history, thank you for this.
This dude literally white washed slavery because some other yts got mad at him 😂 he’s really not
Puerto Ricooooo
Nuh uh
Edit: nuh uh
He barely scratched the surface.
“True history” while leaving out the US literally made PR the richest Latin American “territory” in the world.
So rich in comparison Latin Americans literally say stuff like “I wish we were more like PR”.
It’s racist to believe that PR does not deserve to become a state and it’s a fact for literal decades now that they want to become a State.
It’s also a fact become independent would massively drop their quality of life.
My wife grew up in Puerto Rico, and I visited there in 2019. Possibly the most welcoming place I’ve ever visited and I’m proud to be associated with it now with my new found family.
Side note: the whole bombing run in PR against the nationalists made me think of the time at the Battle of Blair Mountain when the US government threatened to bomb its own citizens, but then private planes did it anyways with left over bombs from WWI in West Virginia. That would be an awesome topic to see done in the Harris way 🤟🏼
Or May 13, 1985: the Philadelphia bombing of black activists
@@houseplant1016was just about to comment this!!! Insane
@@houseplant1016was about to comment this one too
@@Thatotter223Pretty unbelievable people forget that, even Harris. Police even let houses burn afterwards... I am not American and even I know this story.
@@houseplant1016this was a city acting independently and not the federal government. It was ruled very much an illegal act afterwards. There is a lot to be said for the interplay between different governments in the U.S. but they are not remotely as unified as governments in many other countries are.
I’m an adult Puertorican and never before heard about our past the way I did on this video. They don’t teach these kind things on our schools. Thank you for spreading the truth and helping us to learn about our real history.
They won’t teach it because Puerto Rico is essential a “puppet country” they like to keep this kind of stuff in the dark
Serás solo tu yo estoy en la escuela y tengo bastante conocimiento de este tema, al igual que mi madre.
That's because the US controlled the curriculum of what was being taught in schools in order to brainwash Puerto Ricans.
@@unlingotedehierro7136no generalices solo por lo que has vivido. Son de los pocos que saben esta historia y la gran mayoría de los puertorriqueños desconocen, hasta ni saben que la Masacre de Ponce sucedió. ¿Por qué crees que hay tanto PNP?
Exactly. We were taught that the US was invited to “save us” from Spain. When they just saw the strategic benefits of location, free labor etc. we were named from Borikén puerto rico because the location. We were the door to the Caribbean. A perfect spot for export and import entry with the world. Also we were close to Cuba, perfect for spyin during the Missile Crisis.
Every detail it’s correct my father been a Nationalist fought for Puerto Rico’s freedom and was persecuted and oppressed. Sadly betrayed by a closest friend working for the FBI. This video needs to be watched by the new generations. Thanks
As a New York-born Puerto Rican serving in our Armed Forces, I can’t tell you how much this video makes me happy that the history of my ancestors was acknowledged. By the way, I’m proud of being American, but I just wish our people were welcomed to the aegis of the United States with a little more love instead of being viewed as roaches. Johnny Harris, I salute you.
Todavia tienes mucho que aprender , no hay ningun orgullo de ser Americano
eres PUERTORIQUEÑO! Despierta
I’m Spanish, new American, I am proud of being American, but I hate it’s Government. I love the American people but hate government agencies.
@@NenaCaribenapreeew 😬 another one of those saying we shouldn’t be proud Americans…cringe 😂
I served with so many Puerto Ricans in the Army I can tell you that per capita there's not a larger represented group of people. I think people take that for granted how much service your community gives our nation.
@@NenaCaribenaprasí son los boricuas, llevo casada con uno 15 años, cuando les conviene son americanos y otras son Puelto líqueños.
aunque el tio sam no los vea o quiera como estado.
Born and raised in PR. As a personal anecdote, the first time I heard about the Carpetas or Folders was in High School, from one of my older teachers-because she herself was targeted when she was a young college student. Thank you for covering this, Johnny. It means a lot.
Well , u should be grateful that the us was running ur country instead of some other gov bcz it would've been far far worse , the reason u have access to these fbi files is bcz the us decided to accept the flaws in it's history in order to improve instead of hiding it.
No matter what , eventually a world power will exist and would influence and take advantage of it one way or another , but till this day seems like the us was the least flawed one to ever exist.
Would you happen to know where I can find Las Carpetas? I'm 1/4 Puerto Rican, so I sent my father this video, and it turns out my Great Grandfather fled to the US during this time. Apparently my great grandfather had pictures of himself with somebody from the uprising, so I'm trying to see if there was a file made on my great grandfather.
Were the carpetas unjustified when you have assassination attempts and attacks on the US capitol coming out of the National Party?
My mother and her sister were the target of carpetas or cointelpro against the black panthers and white liberals.
@@philipheileson9720 Lmao most of these people were not part of the nationalist party, they just had independence ideals.
I learn more from Johnny Harris than I did in school😂
That's because US education is purposefully dumbed down. They want the population smart enough to work, without being aware enough to question why they just do as they're told.
You just didn’t pay attention, which is exactly why he gets to paint the worlds liberator as an Imperialist power and people believe him!
That's on you, but "learning history" from this purposeful liar is just sad
@@pickerooni6247the fact that you can’t at least acknowledge that the US has done some awful things is very telling
Johnny Harris only scratches the surface in whatever topic he talks about. And he basically always gets facts wrong.
There is a reason “debunking Johnny Harris” is it’s own genra on RUclips.
I recommend you to do more research on whatever he talks about, but know that he makes agenda driven videos with a heavy bias of neoliberal belief that government, especially the US government, is pure evil.
As a Puertorrican I can’t thank you enough for sharing this video. I really hope this helps others brothers and sisters none Puertorricans to understand why we fight so hard against the government. I pray every night that I can someday come back to the island and raise my kids there.
I cried watching this. My family went through this oppression. I have told this story many time to mainland and Island citizens that don’t recognize these events. Hopefully this narrative with an “American” accent will add credibility to what we have always known and suffered.
FBI terrorists back then like now
Me too bro I got real sentimental this is crazy
Well done, for the outsiders know the real truth. Thanks GBS you.
It shouldn't take an accent to believe facts.
@@linusmayden8465You be amazed how true that is. Sadly.
I was born and raised and still live in Puerto Rico. This video makes it clear to me, how when I was a child, the elders in my family would not even utter the word independence without exuding fear at the prospect of such conversations…a fear, I remember, that could be cut with a knife. My uncles and other adults were truly scared to have a pro Puerto Rico political conversation…it was almost as if they were expecting a swat team to come for them and execute them.
My wife tells me about this all the time. Crazy
so when are we starting the riots?
As someone who lives in Santurce. It hurts me to learn that. The fact that the elders here treat me as a son only makes me respect them even more.
I hope for statehood, but I want what the people want. This is my home and I'm never leaving, if that means I'm no longer a resident of the United States than so be it.
This is true and although the fear isn't as strong it's still there.
As a Puerto Rican, I appreciate that someone is talking about these kinds of things, you don’t see these subjects being talked about much anymore. There is actually a good book called War Against all Puerto Ricans that touches on many of the subjects you said, and I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to dive into this topic. Regardless, this is another example of modern colonialism
As a European I've never heard of this part of your history. Really saddening...
Its really refreshing to see someone who is white telling the truth about how the United States states imperialized PuertoRico and enslaved and made puertoRico a unincorporated territory due to our african blood
that's why they are called costa rico and port rico because thats where all the riches they wanted to steal came from and where europe/church stole its wealth. never was there a place in european history called the' place of riches'. The Americas were called a true paradise because it had nothing from europe in it.
Have to check that book out
Does anyone really understand how the world works nothing in life is free grow up
My perception of the U.S changed when i read a PR History book in 8th grade, which mentioned the 1898 invasion of the island. In 11th grade i learned all of the things mentioned in this video by actually researching outside of the school history curriculum, which cemented my pro-independence political position. What was very frustrating to see, was that my classmates and family members where not aware of their own history, because the school history classes focused on the U.S relation with PR or straight up just U.S history. Thats why it was easy for them to say we as ricans are "better off being a state", which to me is gut wrenching to hear from a rican.
This is why the majority of ricans have voted for the same 2 political parties, pro-statehood or stay as "commonwealth". Independence was/is a taboo. All the fear mongering by our own socio/political divide and the brain washing of newer generations by our own education system has created puerto ricans willing to give our SOVEREIGNTY to the U.S, rather than try to fix our own problems and work for a future independent from the U.S.
The most common reaction i see in puerto ricans against pro-independence arguments is raising more questions/problems they think are impossible to solve, and exaggerated fear mongering. As a pro-independence nationalist, i know the relation between the U.S and PR is very intertwined and complex. Working for a an independent PR is not going to be a drastic instant black to white change as many ricans fear. A sovereign PR would begin the process of de-colonization and maintain good relations on EQUAL terms with the U.S, targeting the complexities that carry separation from the U.S one by one.
For PR to be fully independent, it will take a due process and very hard work. 2 things that nationalist are aware of and willing to work towards. The U.S itself is proof that independence doesn't come easily, but the freedom it brings is more than enough to fight for.
As a current student of Puerto Rico's education system, and as a Puertorican, I want to thank you for this video, and the sheer detail of it. I wish I had this when I studied this at school.
I remember studying el carpeteo back in 9th grade, and I remember going on this huge tangent on how little videos of this whole ordeal existed. I spent weeks sifting through decades worth of documents just to try and sum it all up for a presentation worth 10% of my grade that lasted 3 minutes, and I remember seeing files on my grandparents, my own parents... And nowadays when I hear someone talk like shit about the island, I just tell them about the shit we've been through, not trying to undermine their points, but showing them the facts. But now, I can just show them this video.
Is there a way I can find this documents online o I'll have to go to SJ for copies?
¿Donde encontraste los documentos?
where did you find them? I want to see if my family got spied on
This is why I would never understand the slogan “Make America great again” … U.S power came at the expense of others
Should of left PR alone an let it evolved like Cuba has, abandon PR let them fend for themselves
Hey Johnny,
I grew up on the island, and it’s sad to say that our history is very often overlooked by the international community. Additionally, many people in the United States see us as “freeloaders”, and think that the U.S. has never benefited from Puerto Rico’s political status. I really appreciate you taking the time to discuss our island’s history on your platform. Keep up the awesome work.
To me, this is the coolest place in the states. I've never felt more at home in my entire life. This is an amazing place with amazing culture and an amazing history. It's the closest thing to living a European lifestyle as you can get in the states. I'm thankful for the elders here and their wisdom.
No one thinks PR are freelouders. Where the hell did you get that?
@@AL-lh2ht yeah a lot of folks do. The red hats especially
@@AL-lh2ht TONS of conservatives think that. It's appauling.
@@AL-lh2htdefinitely a thing. I’m Puerto Rican
This is literally insane! Like you know that the US government can be grimey but my God...this is disgusting AF. What really kills me is how people act like the US can do no wrong. Absolutely disgusting. As an Black American, I can only empathize with my Puerto Rican familia. When I visited, the people were so welcoming and nice. Proud of their home, as they should be. I will always love Puerto Rico!
😂😂😂😂😂
My brother, my solidarity with your beautiful people as this country has benefited and not rewarded the labor of your ancestors. And I know today the injustices are ever present.
RESPECT 🙏🏻
Wow, the about of verbal masturbation in this thread is astounding already.
THE US HAS BEEN CROOKED FOREVR
Brotha this information is know and Puerto Rico still not free 🤯 mind blowing
That’s what I think!! It’s pure sadness!😢😢
Critizicing your own country's misdeeds and abuses, is not hating your country. It's keeping it honest by learning from history so as not to fall into a perpetual cycle of oppression.
especially if you're not Indigenous to the land you're on.
Accountability for all
Especially when the US is preparing to wage war to China over Taiwan. Hypocrisy at its best. China wouldn't be better than the US if they invaded Taiwan ? Actually, it still would, because the Taiwanese would have full chinese status, unlike the Puerto Ricans, and Taiwan would be an independantly managed province of the country, like all the chinese provinces, and unlike Puerto Rico which is a colony and not a state of the United States like, say Alaska. Why is that, apart from institutional racism ? Not saying that I support the overtaking of Taiwan by China, but pointing out that Puerto Rico still has it worse after 74 years.
So if I were China, I would ask why Puerto Rica isn't allowed to gain its independance, or at least, if they no longer wish for independance, why they aren't allowed to be a full on state and enjoy the same rights as other Americans. Same with all the other colonies of the US.
I’m just saying man, it’s not my fault I was born into the time and place I am.
@@Ben-M112 for sure its none are faults today but it was somebody's ancestors.
This has to be one of, if not, the best documentary about Puerto Rican History. I truly appreciate everything and everyone who participated in this project. Thank you so much.
I would not say the best but pretty good
Documentary, it's pretty short. Decent brief explanation at best
I am boricua and is sad that our history is not teached properly even to us in our own island. I went to school and took history class many years, some “specialized” in our history, but it was always about the Spanish colonization, and the few times that they talked about when USA came here it was touched with so much caution and it was so sugarcoated that I didn’t notice how bad it was until much later. We have been so repressed and brainwashed that nowadays, must people here see US as some sort of saints or saviors. Touching this subject in school is hard, because teachers can get reprimended if they teach it in a way that other faculty or parents find it harsh or offensive, even if they are just stating facts.
It’s not just your history can you imagine how many island, continent and countries that the USA don’t want no one to know the real Truth 🤔?
That’s the entire Central and South America in different scales but all under the same hands
it’s not that bad. y’all got the golden ticket in return which is a US citizen ship.
The Puerto Ricans, to have a better life moved to the US...from dream islands to slums.
The slums are operated by real estate developers who don't live in slums themselves.
Decades after decades the Puerto Ricans come to the US to live together with rats, mice, coackroaches. Every Bodega sells alcohol and cigarettes at every corner.
In Puerto Rico in the old times this was absent.
Children had no drugs around them, only alcohol.
As the most Puerto Ricans were Catholic they weren't interested in Alcohol. There wasn't no slums in Puerto Rico in the old days.
No junk food that made the population sick with heart disease. The population only consumed Fruits, Vegetables and grains.
No one had a disease, because there were no drugs and bad food around.
One has to imagine that to have Puerto Ricans move to the US, they had to fall under a spell.
What was this spell that moved magically people who lived on Paradise Islands to inner city slums, controlled by the same people who controlled Puerto Ricos cane plantations?
The same invisible people who manipulated them to come to the US, destroyed Germany in ww2.
The same people ruined Russia and China using Revolutions, put up gigantic prison systems to house the population in them. The same they did in the US by moving Puerto Ricans into the Prison Complex.
These criminals became rich for using the Puerto Rican cane plantations as slave fields and later on offered them descendants a seat in a boat or plane to come to the US (to live in their controlled Ghettos).
Book:
Secrets Of The Federal Reserve by Eustace Mullins. ///
The Secret Powers Behind Revolutions by Leon de Poncins. ///
The Unseen Hand by Ralph Epperson. ///
As a Puerto Rican-born writer and composer, I thought I was well versed in the history of the island. Well, not as much as I thought. Thank you for posting this. Kudos to Dylan Boynukalin on the great editing and to Tom Fox on the killer soundtrack, which generated its own tension but never distracted.
As a history buff that’s been following you since the Vox days, and as a Puerto Rican, I am so happy you made this video. Through this, you will be able to reach so many ppl and inform them of the atrocities the US govt has committed against my people that so few people know about. One thing of note I’d add to the section on Rhoads is the forced sterilization of Puerto Rican women so that they couldn’t procreate.
Also ignoring the fact the US made PR have some of the highest quality of life in the entire Latin American world. And the fact the majority of PR wants to become a state.
@@AL-lh2htok and? So we are just suppose to be grateful? Because only in relation to “other” latino countries we have a better quality of life? It’s ok about the atrocities cus it’s a smidge better to live there than?
@@Zombification23i guess it easy to say that while you live in comfort, maybe go take a look at farvalas in brazil and then tell us about how “oppressed” y’all are
@@AL-lh2htdo they hav an option? They can't be independent else will be crushed, they are not getting as much rights as US citizen, so tell what option they have other than being part of US ?
@@nathan-ls8ywstfu you don’t know where I’ve been. Also I didn’t say anything about being “oppressed”. I’m saying is, just cus PR has better QoL than other Latin countries, doesn’t mean these events did not happen.
As a Puerto Rican I’ve been waiting for these video a long time, and it was great yet there is so much left to say. Because of the repression and terror campaign that the US put on independence movements we eventually became the enemy in the eyes of the public. Thanks to this a new political class of parasites grew up and seized power using a broken democracy that looked more like a dictatorship, one of those that we were told to fear. These Puerto Rican men with indirect help from the FBI and direct support from the presidents essentially romanticized our history allowing them to take over our education system and creating corrupt government systems that impoverishes the people while justifying everything with a scent of democracy and fear of socialist independence movements… Now they are passing laws that are allowing rich American millionaires to move to the Island and set up businesses tax free crippling our local economy. Not only that but all they need to not pay taxes is just one employee, thus in an attempt to cash in these people the cost of housing and goods are rising. In an Island with so much poverty I’am a lucky guy, but if this keeps up no average local will be able to live here, the inflation created by US terrorist tactics and a a corrupt government are removing us from our home. North American immigration is little by little taking our nation and the worst part is that we the people don’t even realize why this is happening. Thank Johnny Harris for a much needed video!
I'm Puerto Rican and I'm lucky from a lot of my family and it's disgusting. Multi millionaires are just walking up to locals in Rincon or other beach towns and offering homeowners blank checks to buy their properties that are not for sale.
Yeah and if you are smart, living in Rincon or Dorado, you take the money.
Yeah I don’t know when you lived there but that attitude there is such a poor mentality. Corrupt ELECTED officials are the problem. Ripping people off after Maria. It’s sick.
This is happening everywhere in Central and Southern America and many 3rd world countries for some time now, some more then 100 years. How Cuba was turned into a playground for the rich organized crime and corrupt politicians and Business men is the same thing we are witnessing now in these countries. In Honduras the Young are deserting their country and with it the prospect of a promising future due to the negligence and robbing of the countries wealth and resources with no incentive to help the poor or better the education. Now the Rich are flocking to grab real estate and "free dibs" without any fair opposition from it's own country men or women. "Foreign policy" as they call it.
Maybe Harris could elaborate on how Panopticon still plays out today; on how it takes a toll on people's psyche.
I’m literally in tears. As a Boricua, I can’t thank you enough for the clear and factual history of our island. Thank you.
What are you in tears about
¿Aquí se reúnen los pipiolos llorones? 😅😂🤣👍
@@Slurpversonthat the people are oppressed and have been for centuries
Research more....
There's a lot more...
Our 1st native governor Luis Munoz Marin was an opium addict and a puppet to the US.
So bad an addict he grew poppies at La Fortaleza to feed his addiction...
Or how they killed Don Pedro Albuzu Campos by using him as a guinea pig with radiation....
They shut him down....
@@James-mr7lmI wouldn’t say oppressed. More like economically, politically, and socially stunted.
Thank you for sharing this part of history. “War against all Puerto Ricans” is a good book that expands on some of what you presented. Thank you for your time in putting this together!
Johnny, i just want to say thank you for this eye opening video. I am a Puertorican (born and raised) living in the US now. I also served 13 years in the US Army and have sacrificed alot for this country. But like me there are many others who will never be recognized or even mentioned just because of who we are. It pains me to say that even today 1/2/24 I still see discrimination against our people. Again thank you and this video will be a great inspiration for future generations.
When I was stationed in FT. Leonardwood, Missouri, I got into a fight with a cadre sergeant who told me to speak English off-post. My cousin was stationed in Korea in the Air Force and an officer called him a spic and my cousin knocked him out. He was dishonorably discharged from the Air Force.
What discrimination do you see against your people and why? You probably are not seeing discrimination. People want to be in their own communities with their own people. Puerto Ricans come up with a Puerto Rican flags and their own food and their own culture in a different language. If you want to live like that then go back to Puerto rico. But don't have the audacity to go to a country that has the opposite that you do and think you trying to change it is going to make people happy about it. Thank you for servicing and I am sure you were recognized for it
@@namehere4454 Not all people want to be in their own communities. many people were raised with different cultures and/or marry other cultures and live with them.
@@namehere4454 She doesn't know that 90% of Puerto Ricans speak English as it has been taught on the Island for over 100 years. She is confusing Puerto Ricans for other Latin America races.
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
Thanks Johnny! I'm a History teacher in DC and just got back from an incredible fellowship in PR and US Virgin Islands whose purpose was to learn about the territories so we could create lesson plans and help others to teach the content in the mainland US. These stories are so important to have a complex understanding of our nation. The fellowship had incredible teachers from the mainland US, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, PR and USVI. There's a lot of rich content from each of the territories - their stories are so different and yet so similar. If you want ideas or connections for future videos on any of the territories let me know! Thank you again for helping to include their stories!
Hi! I would love to hear more connection stories! and I’m interested in any lesson plans regarding PR or other US territories! i am a ELD and foreign language teacher myself. I like to incorporate history in my units while learning about cultures outside of mainland USA. Thank you!!
Please try to teach appropriate history and not this garbage anti-colonialist propaganda.
As a Puerto Rican, both born and raised in the island, this is my first time hearing about this which I find TERRIFYING. I was felt like an out-sider and treated different till this day, I could never get down to what the issue was exactly, and then I see this. Thank you!
Fake history story. Spain conceded Puerto Rico to USA after losing American-Spanish war in 1898.
@@1Surtwell that's what he said
@chuckperry7592
Comprehension isn't your strong point now is it. You saw it, you heard it, but didn't quite grasp it. He stated that in the video.
Glad you're educated, but it's a damn shame Puertorriqueños aren't teaching their own population about the terrors they're suffered. Spread the word!
Lmao
Thank you so much for platforming our countrys truth. Mainlanders are so ignorant about PR both as a fault of their own but also lack of education. It broke my heart to watch this. Its some of the most violent acts ive ever heard of.
Lets also not forget and show respect to all of the women who were tricked into trialing birth control. Not only did they inject us with cancer but they wanted to curb our fertility.
WE ARE PUERTO RICANS. WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED. WE ARE HUMAN.
Very informative. I think it’s also important to touch on how these colonial laws are still in play, how they stifle economic growth in the island and also how the Federal government turned the island into a tax haven for American billionaires and millionaires, yet the locals aren’t able to even afford gas or groceries.
Absolutely, im only 17, and im already freaking out about my life as a full grown adult here, food is too expensive, and its hard to indulge in pleasures we once had before inflation had hit hard
My husband’s grandmother was sterilized in her very early 20’s in the 1950’s without her consent…my jaw dropped when I found out. More should know the truth…its horrific
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
Yup. That was called “La operación”
P.R is américa team u.s.a
@@WilsonLLNM nope. You are so wrong 🤣
Como tu naciste?
I consider myself a history buff, and I am appalled that I had no clue Puerto Rico was bombed. Goes to show the lengths the US takes to cover up this part of history. Yet again another great video Johnny, thanks for shedding light on this.
Usonians have no clue about anything that isn't their own history. 1st lesson: America is not USA. nd you are not American. Start learning that. And no, North and South are not continents, are subcontinents.
A lot of Boriguas here in the states, don't want to turn them into a bunch of revolutionaries
Bombs of "democracy".
@@v-corps 🇺🇸
>call yourself the most free nation on earth
>horrifically abuse another nations
>it's just freedom :)))
There are four directions :
North - East - Hypocrisy - South.
As a Puerto Rican I’m indignant about all the abuse, including using Vieques as a testing ground for weapons. They left without leaning up their mess and it’s still not safe there.
This video needs to be about an hour long. It will be nice to have it in Spanish for the people of Puerto Rico to actually watch it. It is unbelievable how many don’t know our history even in our own island. Thank you for this video.
There is so much more that needs to be said
Because Americans don’t want people to be educated on that matter.. that is something that should be taught in school all across the US
It’s part of History and geography
Don't all Puerto Ricans speak English?
@@mikkokivisto4414 no. And ironically the statehood supporters (which are mostly old) can’t or barely speak English.
Young pple yes (50/50)
@@originaltanman How is that possible?
Aren't they (almost) Americans?
Puerto Ricans aren't Spanish and Hispanic and Latino until given back to Spain and getting independence only from Spain your Americans now
Puerto rican here. My Grandmother & her family lived in Jayuya around the 50s. They saw the Uprising attack first hand. My grandma tells me she saw her father convicing a member of the National Guard infantry to put their gun down. Hearing all this information first hand is heartbreaking. Worst part? That's not the only story I have.
During the lockdown, I was taking history class, and we were discussing Utuado's takeover. My history teacher told us how one of her close family members was from Utuado, and saw the shootout happen. She said that after looking for cover, she saw a bleeding man who was writing a message with his own blood.
Sure, while I’m glad we have an ally in the US to provide us with technology, services & more, the government’s greed for territorial gains & authority over the people can’t be ignored. Their atrosities need to be adressed more.
As a citizen of this country, I’m disgusted with the actions of our government, how they hide & justify
I am a Hawaiian from the island of Maui, the last island in Hawaii to farm sugar. It’s very eye opening to see that Puerto Rico’s history is almost identical to Hawaii, and in fact most of these events were happening parallel to the same events in Hawaii.
It is crazy how our coquis are somehow singing all night in some your islands. I read that you guys have pasteles as well, that is just amazing.
Yes. I saw a documentary on Hawaii and thought the same. 😢
Many Puerto Rican’s were shipped to Hawaii. There’s a place where they play the same guitar, music and other cultural except the language. Google it. PR in Hawaii.
Lol it’s even worse than Hawaii, at least EVENTUALLY the US decided having Hawaii as a colony was wrong, we are still doing it to Puerto Rico
Yea also we got Puerto Rican slaves in Hawaii… 😂😂 you guys literally took our frogs and didn’t like them so u let different animals on the island smh
I’m from the island, I’m 76 year old. I have lived in Florida for about 35 years and my experience living here is telling me that the issues with the island would never change. Not that I doubt their capacity to handle the horrible situation they are constantly facing, but the ignorance about what really happened in those years makes hard for them to understand their problems are far to be over.
There are no way out , because the people in power don’t care for others than their own benefits. It’s a never ending story , no one cares!!!
I’m Mexican but love my Puerto Rican hermanos y hermanas. They can take our lands but not our culture, influence and unity as Latinos. Mucho amor a todos! Los quiero!
A ustedes tambien le robaron sus tierras y no los valoran. Con el trabajo arduo que tu bella gente hace en este pais en todas las areas de trabajo. Mis respetos hermanos!
@@moegreene3630 funny how the word cowboy came from a black guy with hat and boot. So I don’t know why you are laughing. You’re making fun of something that blacks had as well? And now the whole southern of the USA does too.
Thank you
not all nations are perfect but you think your countries are anymore corrupt at least here you can get a fair chance at justice.
Ningún puertorriqueño es tu hermano asi que deja la labia pa los tuyos, nosotros somos Americanos de la buena o a la mala eso es lo que somos
this video had me crying a bit. i’ve visited family in puerto rico, and it’s also sad to see how little the government cares to invest even the smallest bit of money in basic infrastructure. the amount of damage the US has done to the island is unforgivable.
Well, it made me angry, the US is always under a facade of freedom fairness, and the right to happiness for all. All it really is a Corporation run by heartless people who don't care about people in general let alone others that look different and act different from them. I read somebody commented themselves as subhuman that's actually brainwashed thinking. We are the real humans God created on Earth those who are ruling are the children of Cain whose father is the Devil Himself who deceived Eve in the garden. We must read our Bible to understand these things they may have intellectual minds but the spiritual gift that was given to us by the almighty Father who is in heaven far surpasses their intellect. All we have to do is remember that and reclaim our place on Earth we have to come back to the Father that's the only way.
Yeah our hospitals and schools get barely any funding cuz of the whole debt thing
The only stuff that really does get funding is the shit made for tourists like hotels, resorts and attractions
Pueto Rico wouldn’t even exist if it wasn’t for the US. They would be living completely primitively, you can cope all you want, but it’s true.
@@ellislyon4804 It isn't true considering Puerto Rico was actually not even far behind the USA technologically or standards wise prior to the USA taking Puerto Rico. The literal history of the island says otherwise.
As Puerto Rican this was a hard video to watch but necessary. Is always a good reminder to see our history so we don’t make the same mistake and keep fitting against injustice. Thanks for this video I think every puertorincan should watch it.
I haven't seen the video yet but based solely on your comment of injustices and cruelties(?) towards you by the Americans - isn't Puerto Rico given an opportunity to vote if they want to remain part of the US or an independent country every now and then?
So, my question is: why don't Puerto Ricans vote to be an independent country to be free of US rule and their injustices and cruelties?
I'm not from the Americas so I really don't know mind you.
@@cashewnuttel9054No, our people have never once been consulted by the US Federal Government in a formal binding referendum in the past 125 years of US invasion, occupation and colonization. Rigged non-binding plebiscites orchestrated by the corrupt ruling colonial administrations have been held periodically to further their respective political interests.
@@cashewnuttel9054 because we aren’t taught this in schools. Instead we are brainwashed into believing that the US is our salvation and that without them, we will become the next Cuba (mind you, the Cuban situation is also the US’ fault but people don’t want to admit that to themselves). Also, people have voted to become a state multiple times but congress never acknowledges it. We deserve to be independent.
@@josephlivessan Let me rephrase what you said:
"Because we subhumans know that we can't make it on our own. Why would we throw away our advantage of moving to the US without needing a passport or visa? Why would we want to be independent and end up like venezuela, or as you said cuba, both ran by subhumans like us? Why would we want to be independent and risk being refugees later on? Why should we listen to children who want independence but have no idea how to run a country, and may even lead us to hardship?
No, thank you.
Yes, the US may have oppressed us from time to time, but the risk of a far worst oppression and actual hardship might a wait us should we choose to be independent.
That's why we only have a 5% turnout for independent and 60+% for statehood. If children want to be independent, then go move to cuba."
There, I rephrased what you said.
@@dangercat9188 Yeah... become independent and turn into a crap hole that needs handouts to survive, that has extreme poverty, massive corruption, terrorism, and worst of all refugees - all this for "culture".
Wow, what a shame on the US. Im dominican and i feel indignated by all the stuff they did to our neighbors. Im so sorry for what happened to our brothers.
Born in Brooklyn, from Puertorican parents, I want to thank you for telling the truth as it is until this day. Heartbreaking to remember how our ancestors suffered in the search of freedom. Losing their peace, their land, their family, their rights, their souls but not their pride. Despierta Boricua 🇵🇷 🇵🇷Thank you, thank you 🇵🇷
Mira pa ya.esta es la primera ve en mi vida que oigo. Esta histia de mi patria PR. Eso quiere desir claramente que la culpa que PR. Este como esta la tiene Estados unidos. Y todabia se llenan la voca ablando de de mocrasia. DIOS castiga sin Bara y sin fuete.por eso es que esta nacion ba poco a poco perdiendo poder en el mundo y al gun dia ba a perder su imperio como la nacion mas ponderosa del mundo. Ya eso se venir por que ya se ve que E.U. esta perdiendo poder en el mundo y un dia su imperio derrumbara y colasara.. y empesara su castigo . Ya se ve que esta nacion ba Cuesta a bajo de Mal en peor. y seguira asi. Por que escrito esta. Nadie es mas grande que Dios. y
este imperio al dia caera.gracias por este interesante ducumental.
My heart was beating at 1000 beats per second, as I was watching this video. I was born and raised in The Dominican Republic and have always heard stories of my grandfather from my mother's side, who's parents were Puerto Ricans who flew out of Puerto Rico by the end of the XX century. My great grandparents were from Arecibo Puerto Rico and yesterday my mom was showing my the birth certificate of my great grandpa....It's like a massive mix of feeling just flew through my mind and, just thinking of how the risk everything and left their lives behind, preferring freedom over being enslaved by US.. a piece of my heart belongs to Puerto Rico ❤
Thanks for sharing that story. Blessings
They left PR, looking for freedom in DR?😂😂😂😂😂😂 Boy they made a big mistake!!😂😂😂😂😂
@@gg5508idk what they where smoking before they left PR because DR is way worse to live and have a bright future specially in those days as well
@@gg5508 Dominican Republic is actually not that bad of a country freedom wise. It just has a large wealth gap between the rich & the poor.
@@ToadTendo Tell that to the Dominicans of Haitian descent.
I was in Puerto Rico in the 70's. One of the documents I saw in your video, I recognized one of the names and address. Thanks for confirming what I suspected all these years. I've always been proud to be Puerto rican-american, now I'm just Puertorican.
There has NEVER been such thing as a Puerto Rican-American.
@@elialmodovar6685exactly
To all of my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters: although we cannot undo the past, we can make improvements to the present and future.
For better or worse, we have the privilege of being a part of the United States of America. Sure, we can be independent, but in the best case scenario, our nation's economy will place it in the third world, or in the worst case, it will become the next Cuba.
With so much debt and economic unrest, Puerto Rico is fortunate if it can develop an economy similar to that of Mexico. However, if we continue on our current course without US assistance, we will soon become a 20th-century Cuba.
The USA will, in my opinion, be more advantageous for our interests.
Actually, I believe that Puerto Rico's status as a US "States" will benefit the island economically. Puerto Ricans will be able to benefit from everything that US states have.
Actually, the United States continues to defend and solve Puerto Rico's economic problems because the island is still a part of the United States.
So, in my opinion, it is better for the United States to make Puerto Rico a state because it will now be able to totally salvage the island's economy. In exchange, the United States will be more rich as a result of the addition of states, which will increase money in the country, with Puerto Rico becoming a successful state.
@@anthony14363 I somewhat agree, but the economy and the vast amount of debt we are in needs to be addressed with corruption domestically. Our own government officials are putting us in a position of subjugation and overall control. The U.S. has made many promises and incorporated other means of debt reduction and forgiveness. They never went forward with it because of our own twisted policies that we have made out of desperation and impulsiveness. The biggest debt holder is the electric power authority here in PR, now think about this, who appoints these organizations and other powerhouses on the island to otherwise “sustain” the economic flow? The U.S. government. We are being deliberately subjugated through means of real estate in terms of gentrification, high taxes, lower income positions, and division amongst all other things. Why are we relying on the one thing that placed us in the position we are in? Grow some balls and use your independence that you are born with. This is modern times, we have plenty more resources and opportunities. We are attracting investors which is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. It all depends on the circumstances, That helps with the economy by a lot. See the bigger picture??? If not then here is the more dumbed down answer. Basically the U.S is responsible of our subjugation and economic crisis.
@@anthony14363Puerto Rico can still thrive independent, it has vast resources the US uses, an independent Puerto Rico will have claims to those resources, it will continue to have US military and economic assistance because the US would not want Russia or China to make a military base there so you bet the Americans are going to keep protecting their interests in the island, including trading resources and training the new Puerto Rico Army to keep Puerto Rico under US influence, I honestly don't believe it will become Cuba or Venezuela because there are small countries like Bahamas and Singapore who thrive, the fact that we speak Spanish doesn't mean we will end up like Cuba or Venezuela and Puerto Rican politicians will have a better advantage because they know the American way of government, worst case scenario Puerto Rico adopts China's Communism a mix of Capitalism with Socialism, where in the economy is good but the government has absolute control of your life and you have no freedom of speech, and the fact China with that model has become the 2 best economy of the 190+ countries just behind the US which is #1 is scary, but neither statehood or independence will ever happen why? Because businesses in Puerto Rico don't pay federal taxes, multi billionaire companies like that and will want to keep it that way because they save money, a lot of Congressman and Senators have businesses in Puerto Rico and don't have to pay Federal tax, statehood will make them pay the federal tax and independence will make them pay the taxes impose by the new Puerto Rico, both options from their point of view would be like shooting yourself in the stomach.
Excelente reportaje. Gracias por compartirlo.
This is recent memory, my grandfather was a victim of “las carpetas” because he had sympathies with “los nacionalistas” and was part of a radical group called “Los Macheteros”. He was spied upon for 40+ years, including my grandmother, my father and all his siblings. Some have forgotten our troubled past here in Puerto Rico, hopefully this sheds some light for those who never knew.
Thank you Johnny Harris for this video.❤🇵🇷
40 years. I can't even imagine living that long in fear that at any moment your door could be broken down by a SWAT team. It's terrifying. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. And here's the question, how is the US different from the USSR? Only we were all told that the USSR was watching out for "traitors to the fatherland", while the USA was always told that there was freedom and prosperity there.
Cabron queee tu abuelo le mete. Mil respetos a él. Que viva Puerto Rico libre
@@mrrrksmith @mrrrksmith Indeed, two faces of the same coin.
@@PalbizuAmén hermano, nuestros viejos le metieron con todo, viva Puerto Rico libre!
Y a filiberto que descaze en paz machetero, pq ahora mandamos nosotros los pistoleros🎶 🔫
Thank you, John Harris. You accurately captured 125 years of oppression in just 20 mins. For those who want to know more, read the book "War Against All Puerto Ricans" by Nelson Denis.
I always recommend this book. Was an eye opener
Why does Puerto Rico only have a 5% pushing for independence if the Americans are so evil?
Ironically, they never taught this and I have a college degree!
@@harvest-min1825 Ironically puerto ricans just don't demand independence!
@@cashewnuttel9054 ironically no one cares!
Broo..this needs a movie ASAP🔥
You might want to check out the 1990 film A Show of Force. It's not specifically about this, but more recent events in the 70s where nationalists were also involved and how the US government also put their hand in.
Sent this documentary to my mother who lived through most of this history. VERY powerful and well made.
Lo que no se enseña en nuestras escuelas, un extranjero lo expone , es duro, pero me alegra para que se sepa la verdad.
Gracias por el video ❤
La verdad es q somos unos niños mimados de 🇺🇸 que nos tienen en bandeja de oro y plata y no sabemos lo q es sufrir y trabajar de verdad pana. Boricua viviendo en Colombia Y venezuela 🇻🇪
A mi me enseñaron esto en la escuela. Las nuevas generaciones están más expuestas a la información y los maestros no se sienten tan oprimidos. Eso me enorgullece. Además que luego del huracán ese orgullo Boricua siento q tuvo un renacer. No creo que llegaré a ver mi isla un país libre pero la mentalidad de que dependemos de US ha cambiado un poco
@@marilishr5978 la mayoría de los Boricuas no saben lo mal que les va al resto de los latinos. En el mundo real no hay tarjeta de la familia, no hay dinero de desempleo no hay reforma si uno necesita eso la realidad es q si no tiene dinero se muere. No saben lo bien que nos va y si estamos oprimidos es por que los políticos se roban el dinero que USA nos manda. En el mundo real la mayoría de los latinos no pueden ir a USA 🇺🇸 a trabajar y ahorrar dinero 💰. En el mundo real tienen que salir por el Darien si sobreviven o cruzar la frontera. Vivimos en una burbuja 🫧 en PR No agradecemos lo que tenemos y cuando caigamos en las manos de nuestros políticos corruptos y no haya más billones de 🇺🇸 vamos a ver cómo se vive en RD y Haití.
@@efexziumsiempre lo e dicho. Pero supongo que ellos prefieren vivir como en Sudamerica a costo de tener independencia. Difícil situación.
@@Grace-yp1yt asi es no tienen idea 💡 de lo cruel y difícil que es la vida para todos los latinos y el resto de los países asiáticos Indiues árabes todos viven vidas sumamente difíciles condiciones infrahumanas zero derechos humanos donde único es medio aceptable es en 🇺🇸
The fact that the US and most of the world don't know about this event and that the US says they are the good ones really enforces the quote "History is written by the victors."
I'm not Puerto Rican, I'm Australian, yet I feel a deep sense of pity and sorrow for the people of Puerto Rico.
Well done on the video Mr. Harris, you gave me more historical insight than schools ever could.
Edit: damn, I've started a debate
Do u know what the Australian government did to the Aboriginals of Australia 😅. Your government was also taking notes
@thrayblackgold2252 Yeah I know about it. They constantly remind us about the crimes against aboriginals every year in education, news etc. But still, to this day, aboriginals aren't treated with the same rights as the rest of Australians.
@@BeginnerSkier115It’s almost like humanity hasn’t changed. Like there are still monsters here we could all fight against. If you don’t see this 1898 fight as a miscarried liberation, I encourage you to look at South Korea and the state of Afghani human rights at this very moment.
I'm Puertorican and I thought about Australian aboriginals watching this 😢 I have always felt a deep rage about what happened and still happens to them. There's a sad connection between our countries...
He also conveniently left out the fact that PR has some of the best, if not the best, quality of life out of any Latin America “Territory” on the planet.
Also the fact the majority of PR wants to become a state for many decades now.
After the Independista revolution, children in Puerto Rican schools were taught that farming was dirty and for ignorant people...that's why Puerto Rico now grows about 2% of its own food. The view of farming as unworthy work is still prevalent here in the central mountains. Sad...
Fantastic. I sent this video to my entire family. My grandfather told me the stories of his life in the sugar farms and the rampant alcoholism present in his town where there wasn’t much else to look forward to - but he worked hard to get my mother to the mainland to escape life in Puerto Rico. I’m a child of the diaspora, “lucky” to have my skin color so I can blend into this country where people don’t even know Puerto Rico, much less black and brown Puerto Ricans are one of them.
I'm currently living in the BVI and I travel to PR every few months as it's one of my favorite places... But I didn't realize the history was so dark. I've got a greater appreciation for PR and my Puerto Rican friends.
So many people are quick to label Puerto Ricans without knowing our history, thank you for spreading awareness
I'm Irish and never heard of Albizu Campos, legend for helping us. Thank you from all of us
I grew up in the Island, left when I was 12, went to high school and college in the States. Never, did anyone teach about these things. We heard the stories, we learn of Campos, but as a kind of instigator.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this!! I hope Americans in the main island get a better understanding of the backdrop that has created the theater they see on their tele screens every once in a while. 🙏
I know that my grandfather was in the Carpetas… I also know that they haven’t stop doing carpetas for people that want the independence for PR or are always in strikes. I remember going to one strike of the public university, and some people told me don’t say your name to any one and when you see police officer just cover yourself. Thanks for doing this video, and I hope some people they notice what USA has done to us.
As a Puerto Rican I am more than grateful no one has ever took the time to really shine a light. Thank you
As a born and raised Puerto Rican this absolutely breaks my heart in a million pieces... I can't believe my Island has gone through this in it's history. But truly thank you for telling our true history and bringing awareness to it. Mucho amor de la isla de coquis ❤🇵🇷
Last time I checked Puerto Rico was worse off under Spain. If it weren’t for the US, the region would be irrelevant like the rest of the smaller Caribbean nations.
Así mismo como lo escribes me sentí yo.
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
Como te dejas manipular por un video comunista y manipulador. El nacionalismo es la desgracia de los pueblos. Al menos los cubanos hemos pagado con lágrimas de sangre que un poco de nacionalistas hayan guiado el país lejos de los EEUU cuando lo que debieron hacer los cubanos de principios del siglo XX fue pedir la anexión a los EEUU.
Esta historia se conoce en la isla bien clara de que se hagan los ciegos es otra cosa.
Thank you thank you thank you for this! I read all this in the book “War Against All Puerto Ricans”. And till this day I tell everyone about it! Thank you for spreading our history. We have been used, abused and invisible for far too long.
As a Latino American, I’m ashamed of the U.S for all the injustice and atrocities perpetrated against so many people… so fucked up.
My great grandmother was born to native parents (which is also lied about in history books, often stating that we were/are extinct. We’re not. I grew up with my Boricua culture, words & traditions) in 1908 in Naranjito. Until her death in 2017, she spoke to me about what the US has done to us throughout her lifetime, not only as natives, but as Puerto Ricans period. With her words, and my own experiences, I see that this treatment never ended, but only grew to be concealed. The violence we see ever growing on the island is a direct result of the exploitation we as a people have faced. I’m from Bayamon, with a half Dominican, half South African mother who is very much in love with this island. I’m from the mainland by birth, but I will forever fight for this beautiful island that my family will forever call home.
LORD ASTOR XI ON SITES
The violence is from lack of education, discipline, and morality. Look at the culture the youth partake in, it breeds nothing but self destruction.
Explícame la explotación? Y explícame porque los dominicanos arriesgan sus vidas cruzando el paseo de La mona para llegar a Puerto Rico?
This explained why my mother at age 10 with her family came here to NYC in 1950. She didn’t even know her own history on the island. This is an excellent video with an excellent explanation of what happened to Puerto Rico at the hands of the United States. I have been doing research for years and went to the island several times to get records on my family. I have gone back through the church to the age of slaves in the 1800s. I continued up until they came here. My Abuela, grandmother, told me some stories that I thought were a little outlandish, but obviously true after watching this video. They don’t write this in history books. You have to search for them, for the information, for the atrocities, for the murders. All for US, dollars! I won’t go on because my anger clouds better judgment. But let it be known that the United States did this to their citizens.
This is why it amazes me that so many Puerto Ricans nowadays favor statehood, I will never understand.
Because their brain washed. After the Cuban revolution A lot of independence advocates threw their hands in With Castro. So it made it very easy for the pro colonialist government to paint all independent advocates as these radical Communist Who want to make Puerto Rico an authoritarian state like Cuba. Thankfully that is fading away. The PIP is getting momentum After their historic election results In 2020. Today they have formed a coalition with other progressive movements and are led by the charismatic juan dalmau who may be the islands 1st pro independence governor
Franklin Irizarry Lugo: All puertoricans livig today are borned under the US Flag. The education system is under federal hands. Trerefor they never tell us. Treir crimes commited in our land! In tris article I have learned for the first time. All the crimes that they have commited! But one hundred and twenty four years of domination ... It's not an easy task! To undestad thrir crimes.
Even today we still strougling. For our survival as a nation! We have never sorrounded aur language. Neither our culture! We have refused to become a state. And consider ourselves as hispanics. Not as gringos! And where we ever go we identify ourselves. As puertorricas! They may have conquered our land. But have never conquered ... our heart! And we still speaking in spanish. And feeling aurselves not americans. But puertorricans!
If you take a look to all colonies arounnd the world. You may see tha most of their people have lost their language! But ours still ... intact! See what I mean? They have conquered our land. But not our heart! We have never ... surrendered it! Amen.
Same girl, same😭
Trying to reason with pro-statehood people is like talking to a brick wall (and I say this as a boricua)
Crazy how the Hawaii and Puerto Rico situation was happening simultaneously
They’re also parallel on the equator with similar weather and climates
Wow that's crazy America doesn't stop it's oppression. But what can you do , America will continue to be a dominating country@@bperez8656
Yo lamento cada día que Cuba allá quedado fuera en esta situación. Que bueno sería que las compañías americanas estuvieran en Cuba “explotándonos” de esa manera no tuviéramos que arriesgar nuestras vidas para buscar trabajo en los Estados Unidos. Que bueno fuera que el FBI estuviera en Cuba casando comunistas y evitando que tomaran el poder con su sistema miserable y tiránico.
True we share so much with Hawaii plus there's so many Puerto Ricans their how we have the same flower that represents our Island except theirs is yellow how are Couqi can survive and prosper in Hawaii although the Hawaiians kill it which is sad... But just the history of atrocities so many similarities
Is the geopolitics for some reason USA wanted to islands one on the pacific and the other on the Atlantic
🇵🇷 As a Puerto Rico born American citizen. I want to Thank you for this video. More videos like this are needed so that Americans on the mainland can learn what it is that we have gone through over the last 100 + years of being property of the United States. It's videos like this that may get Puerto Rico and its citizens the acknowledgment, respect, and even the retribution that we deserve. Again, thank you so much. This was an unexpected find, that despite everything shown on this video it further solidifies how proud I am to be a Puertorican. Que Bonita Bandera, la Bandera Puertoriqueña 🇵🇷🇵🇷
Im from the mainland, and I never knew any of this. It is not taught in public schools. Taboo or attempting to keep us uninformed.
Retribution?
@burtonaka___ because I am a Streamer and that is my Emote. I don't hide my face. There are many pics of me on my Twitter and other socials.
I’ve always wondered why Puerto Rico was a part of the US but not a state. We never learned anything about Puerto Rico in school and now I know why. Just another case of the US trying to bury a shameful, shady past.
Weird I’m from PR and they taught us about it
@@IsaRican810it's the same case with Hawaiian history SMH America is very shady
@@randomgamer625 I'm from PR and I wasn't taught about it.
@@ChildEater84874 I mean what school did you go too? I meant to Academia Fowlers and they taught it there
It’s also possible you didn’t pay attention during history class because I know plenty of other students didn’t and still ask questions that were covered in that class. Then again history was my favorite
@sevenblessed2543 American history heavily edit what happened to Hawaii and how it became the 50th State. Otherwise, we would have known and criticized how the U.S dethroned and killed the royal family simply because the government feared Japan and the island was in a strategic position.
Puerto Rico had become an autonomous part of Spain on that day, it wasn't a regular "Tuesday"...
Ironic bec raul julia was a staunch independence advocate. His best friend is president of the puerto rican independence party
Estos abusos y crímenes son cicatrices que llevamos en nuestra piel y nuestra alma. Pero el espíritu Boricua es indomable. Viva Puerto Rico libre.
Por favor deja la hipocrecia. Si Los puertoriqueños huviesen querido ser libre hace tiempo Que hubiese sido libre. Puerto Rico libre para que? Para estar comiendo mierda como venezuela y Cuba. Tu parece que no lees la historia. Que abusos y crimenes? A Puerto Rico se lo Dan todo. Porque no te vas a Venezuela por un mes para ver si vas a seguir con esa mierda. Dale gracias a Dios que fue Ron Los estados unidos que se encargaron de Puerto Rico y no fue Russia o China o Sabe Dios Quien. Estoy seguro que eres de Los que disfrutan de Los cupones y el welfare.
some countries are better conquered look at mexico and guatemala either way puerto rico will be puerto rico the culture still there
DE AQUÍ COMO EL COQUÍ!🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷❤️❤️❤️
As a Puerto Rican man I would like to take this moment to say thank you to you for sharing the story of all of the horrible things that the United States did to my family we are native Indians to this island my family’s last name is Ribot from my grandfather who was a French legionnaire that retired in Puerto Rico and married my grandmother Soto💯❤️🇵🇷🙏🏽
Do you have relatives in Aguadilla?
This made realize how weak PR was thank you and God bless the USA
Im Puerto Rican and I don’t support what the US past but we need the US and we need statehood
@@Mysteryfleshpitdo we though
If you get independent status how is the island goin to survive, but you now what? I hope you get it !!!!
Great summary of our situation, and of the FBI’s customary tactics for civilian spying.
A quick note: “Campos” is mostly known and referred to by his full name, “Pedro Albizu Campos”, or by his two last names, “Albizu Campos”, which were sometimes prefaced by “Sir” or “Don” in Spanish [as in “Don Pedro Albizu Campos”]. As is customary in Spanish naming traditions, we all have compound last names where we carry our father’s last name first, and then our mother’s last name second. So Pedro’s father’s first last name was Albizu, and his mother’s first last name was Campos. I’m making a point of this because many English-speakers tend to mistakenly call Spanish-speakers by shortened but incorrect last names using the second part of said last names, rather than the first. All to say that if one were to shorten Pedro Albizu Campos’ last name it would be Pedro Albizu, or just Albizu, but never Pedro Campos, nor Campos, as you’re referring to him on the video.
The distinction is further poignant because as a youngster, being the product of an illegitimate relationship [his father was married to another woman different from Pedro’s mother], Don Pedro was actually referred to as Pedro Campos. Anecdotally, his father only recognized him after graduating from Harvard with distinctions, by which time he already went by his full name Pedro Albizu Campos.
Just mentioning it because on your video, by calling Albizu Campos as “Campos”, without any reference to his original background, it sounds more like a mistake or an omission, rather than referring to his illegitimacy. Regardless of all this, no one contemporaneously refers to Don Pedro Albizu as “Campos”.
Speaking of using proper names, thanks for the article and for bringing attention to our “unincorporated territorial condition” [which is nothing else than an obfuscated euphemism for “colonial status”].
thank you for clearing this up!
100% legit. Pedro Albizu Campos is known as ALBIZU. One of the great fighters, and eventually a martyr, for the independence of our island.
Spanish names are nice. Maria Montserrat Martin-Armas, a researcher in Norway once got a research grant letter addresses to Montserrat Martin-Armas Institute😂
Thank you for saying that. I've been called Mr. Vázquez on social media bc that's my second last name.
Some americans seem to think that our first last name meaning our father's last name is really like a middle name.
Ppl like congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is often referred to as Alexandria Cortez or Miss Cortez.
i do completely understand the naming process. but that is a paternalistic cultural choice and has been sued to oppress. the mother is a fact and was observed (in child birth) the fathers name is a given honor name a mother bestows on her child -typically by marriage or by the mother declaring who the father is. (if child is out of wedlock). In many paternalistic cultures -notably USA-mothers are eliminated all together. typically a new born is given a first name (of its own) a middle name to differentiate it from other people with same first & last name. the last name (of course) is typically the fathers name. (in most western cultures) Unless the mother states otherwise in the course of a marriage --all the children are property of the father --by law--until recently where mothers started to get "rights" to their own child! but of course our blessed corrupt courts in the USA are turning back the civil rights protections and mothers are losing custody and rights of their beloved children and the fathers are gaining/given sole custody like in centuries past. Mothers are being erased -globally too. Thus this naming in USA has been primary about fathers & their rights & their family tree & name. such as "TRUMP" we routinely call people by their last name-their fathers name. I am secretly proud (kinda am public about this) of the Spanish naming & acknowledging the mothers! I would love to see all children have both their mom & dads names.(then we can see the family tree) I blessed my children with that gift & i am not Spanish- a father & mother name. It just seems like the right thing to do. but thanks to USA oppression and the limited data fields in USA computer systems --the name gift is rarely stated. But it remains on their birth certificate & baptismal records. They will always have proof of who is their Mother. Bless Momma Campos!
Also, when they devalued the currency, there was another Law passed where people couldn't own more than one (1) Acre. They were forced to sell.
I’ve been waiting for this for years. Thank you, Johnny, for giving attention to this incredibly important story.
You pretty much left it halfway, might I add. Independence efforts continued well into the 70s and 80s with the help of Filiberto Ojeda and his Boricua Popular Army (Macheteros) and the famous Cerro Maravilla murders, where two independence supporters were assassinated by undercover cops with the knowledge of the whole state apparatus. It’s gripping stuff that really underscores the reality of today’s Puerto Rican politics and might explain the possible (if trends hold up) uptick of support for independence in the regional elections.
you're right I could have included so much more. we decided to give a lot of time to the Carpetas as we felt this was a salient and poorly understood part of the history
@@johnnyharris Understandable! It’s a lot of story to condense, so you and the team did a great job regardless. This is necessary history to document, so from one journalist to another, thank you for taking the time to shine a light on my beautiful island 🙏
@@johnnyharris It would be amazing to see a part two from the 70's to Modern Day. The efforts are still on going and hope keeps us here.
Yep. Many things left out. A key fact he left out was the US law making the display of the Puerto Rican flag illegal in the island. I'm glad that he covered the assassination attempt in the United States Capitol building because it shows just how far Puerto Ricans were willing to go to gain independence.
@@MrSupernova111it’s pure white knight racism to proclaim PR does. Not want statehood when this has been the majority opinion for decades.
I knew some of the topics discussed because my grandfather was an army vet from Puerto Rico, it’s crazy to think as a kid living there we were free, but as I grew I found out we were looked as a work force decades before I was born. You’ve taught me more of my culture just now than ever
He made a propaganda piece that ignored every benefit PR has had with the US. Like some finger highest quality of life in the entire Latin American world.
I’m from the island and I implore you to look more into it. We have things missed here like the Cerro Maravilla massacre done by the authorities, the entirety of Filiberto Ojeda and Los macheteros including his assassination by the FBI in 2006, and the gag law that didn’t even let us fly our flag. Puerto Rico has a rich history of struggle and it’s been pushed under the rug
I am Puerto Rican and live on the island, it’s nice to see that you took an interest in our history under the USA. More people should know more about this.
Is there a strong independance movement in puerto rico?
@@tauceti8060 unfortunately not as strong as it once was but the tides are changing. After hurricane Maria there’s definitely been an increase in the independence sentiment. It’s taken generations for the movement to heal from the wounds the US caused
@@tauceti8060 Yes, there is an entire political party. Weird that the majority of Puerto Rican do not want to leave the protection and freedom that being allied with the United States provides.
@@Palbizu- Do you mean Democrats? They approved all those fascist activities?
@@ernestogerena7419Yeah, uh, Cuba is nearby as a close comparison for how that might look.
Thank you for telling our story.
For CARICOM neighbors you are supported
I really love your videos, as a Puerto Rican I can confirm that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
In another note, my wive works at the Archivo General in the Archivo de las carpetas. A couple of months ago she told me you were doing a piece on Carpeteo.
Reading her name in the special Thanks sections is such a beautiful feeling. Thank you!
Thanks Johnny Harris for telling us this part of history. This is not taught in schools.
I have to say this, I have a massive journalistic crush on Johnny Harris he does all the things I like: using maps, explains everything to the T and talks about things that you don't tend to hear on mainstream media. Thank you, Johnny, for this 👏🏾
But he goes on the surface like the mainstream media
If only he did more actual journalism and less editorializing. It doesn’t bother you because you agree with his agenda and politics, but it has no place in journalism. And he weaves his politics and narrative into all of his videos. That’s not journalism, it’s propaganda.
"explains everything to the T" - not strictly true friend and don't believe everything Johnny says because his videos are edited well. Exactly like @JP-yl6on says, he weaves his politics and his narrative in to all of his videos quite subtly, that isn't true honest journalism, it's propaganda!
Well said. You said how most of us feel.
Great job spot on puts a smile on my face hearing the the story from someone that doesn’t look like me. We are been pushed out today it’s sad a beautiful welcoming island. RIP Don Pedro and we still want it and still fighting. Please cover part 2 on the BPA, RIP Filiberto Ojeda Ríos
We still use the term "carpeteo'" when someone know a lot of details about somebody. People still don't know where it came from. Thank you for investigating this piece.
As a Puerto Rican this video broke my heart, my people deserves better!!
Same. 😢
I'm late but facts
Why? What achievements do you bring to the table? How much profit will you commit for me?
@@Kevin-bl6lg and what do you bring to the table for me? Cause so far is shit
My great grandpa moved from Puerto Rico to Dominican Republic in the 50’s because of the hunger and abuse 😢 My grandma used to tell me that they had Soldiers in her classroom that prevented teachers from speaking Spanish.
if you’re comfortable sharing info like this, I would look into the boom War Against All Puerto Ricans which details everything that happened during this time down to a storyline. Highly recommend this book. it changed my life.
You should have mentioned the sterilisation experiments performed on the island, because two of my aunts were among the victims. My abuela said they were only to mention they were there for medical research, but it was nothing but surgical removal of their cervices and tubes, which took away their ability to have kids. This went on for decades.
Mi abuela también fue víctima
I didn’t learn about this til my college gender and women studies. Not only that but they experimented with birth control on women there. Most didn’t know which is so fucked. I’m so sorry 😞
Sick bastards! I hope all their off springs rot in hell for what was done to my people!
Mi Tía también fue victima y estuvo un enfermedad grave después k estuvo un bebé desformado cuando estaba tratando la pastilla de birth control
@@antomattei88pero creció en adulto?
As a Puerto Rican I can’t thank you enough for this video. More people need to know that dark side if our history. It’s really sad to see how the US took advantage of the island and still does to this day.
That sucks , people in Puerto Rico need to make it a State so they can get all the benefits and get paid fair
No offense here but we should get independence instead not only they be free but they can also have their own currency and more, so they can still pay it.
If Puerto Rico got it's independence it would turn into a Cuba or Haiti. They currently have the best deal they could possibly hope for.@@eagaming28
@@eagaming28then you'll be as poor as Haiti and your country is always having natural disasters, who will be paying for rebuilding.
@@fidelistqno one pay for rebuilding this island, FEMA don’t pay us for Maria hurricane 😂
How... why does no one in the education system teach this in class!? As a Puertorican myself, I am extremely astonished yet angry at the same time not knowing the majority of this! This is history! This! This has to be preserved and shown! Thank you for making this! I am now much more informed than what I was taught 20 years ago in class
They just don't want you to know the truth!! Sadly most of us learn about this at University of Puerto Rico or from politically left leaning family and friends which keep being label as communists and socialists, marxists, leftists, etc...Somo of us are called communist just because we want to conserve the environment...
War Against All Puerto Ricans by Nelson A. Denis. He goes into more detail in what Harris shares here. I can’t help but think his reporting started w Denis’ book which is extremely powerful and a definite must read.
To answer your question. Why would they? If anything could be learned from this video is the fact that the mainland government does not want another uprising. Campos was a hell of a man and they silenced him. Read the book to learn more
because nobody gives af
Thank you for your time and love as a journalist exposing true events and continued abuse, it saddens me so much .After being conquered by Spain and now abused by the United States someone needs to be accountable for all the past abuse that this beautiful island has sustained. Is clearly brought to light and noted in the FBI reports kept by the United States government . Let it be it's confession of all its attricities and become liable for its worth for compensation owed to Puerto Rico and to Puerto Rican all over the world, and military.🇵🇷❤️🙏
I’m not sure if I want to scream or cry. For what the people of Puerto Rico had to go through back in the day. I know present day, there’s still a colony but this just makes me sick to my stomach.
Being Puerto Rican I really value and appreciate the hard work and research you put into this video! Always enjoy all your videos and topics, thanks again Johnny Harris, keep up the great work 👍
As a second-generation member of the Puerto Rican diaspora, this reopened the depressing feelings I had after listening to the La Brega podcast :( Thank you for putting this out for more people to learn about.
A sad truth and story. I am PROUDLY PUERTO RICAN, I love my island, I live in it and I have not changed it. At the same time, I am ashamed to know that a Puerto Rican sold us to the highest bidder, Luis Muñoz Marin had something to do with this whole debacle. He was a fundamental piece for what we are today. The worst thing is that in the minds of many we were indoctrinated to depend on the US and today, I have to say that PR depends too much on the US and at the same time, the US does not let us go because we have too much (more than people think) to give them. God have mercy on us all. Thank you for this work and summary of our history.
sometimes(all the time) as an “American” it’s terrifying to see the evil and treachery this country has committed. Absolutely disgusting and sad. Yo amo mi gente de PR ❤️🇵🇷
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Lol this isn’t isolated to “America” this is how the worlds worked since Adam and Eve buddy
@@alicyasimmons5000youre totally right and thats why we should strive for better and lead by example.
THANKS , AND WE LOVE THE AMERICANS THALOVE US AND FIGHT FOR US. GOD BLESS YOU AND THE GOOD AMERICANS.
@@cthulhux6361we do, we were one of the first countries to abolish slavery; we're one of the fairest and most impartial countess in the world; and we're one of the few where a person can change the trajectory of their life with hard work.
Where actual wrongs have been committed we've worked to correct them.
The hypocracy of the US is astounding! Seems like the Stasi in East Germany took note and inspiration from these suppressive surveillance tactics. I am glad that your video is allowed to remain on this platform. Thank you! Same as, how the US stole Hawaii
Ironic how they fought against an imperialist government because of taxes meanwhile they manipulate us kill us mistreat us and silence us just so they can fill they’re goddamned pockets
The US gone pay eventually
@managed9348 pay? Bro, everyone has paid enough. I don't see why people don't just move on and be happy with the things we have, and I'm saying this as a puertorican (San lorenzo)
@@lockheedmartinf-22raptor73 let’s say this a guy comes to your house kills your whole family and your dog but then they’re celebrated for saving an old lady from a fire wouldn’t you want the person who killed your whole family to pay
Edit coming from a Puerto Rican who knows his history because we were free for 6 months but the US did a blitzkrieg on us took us over in less than 2 weeks while we were free we even had our own economy and military that was developing if we kept the way we see we’d be the new Singapore of the world
@managed9348 The World will pay for it's oppression.
Correction : Puerto Rico was officially an overseas province of Spain not a colony.
This was a very insightful and informative video on PR. It is a beautiful place and I hope they truly gain full independence and prosper as a nation.
Soy Boricua y si conosco esta parte de la historia de mi patria, pero oírla de un tercero me produce tristeza 😢
Nunca lo había visto pintado tan plenamente. Honestamente, ahora sé pq ser boricua está cabrón, y es porque hemos sobrevivido y persistimos. Existencia es resistencia.
Tiene que ser un tercero, porque los de aquí estan indocrinados en contra de la verdad
We Puerto Ricans think where suffering so 😢 much because where a US Colony but we have no Idea 🤷🏻♂️ how bad Colombians Venezuelans , Mexicans Peruvians Ecuadorians have it it’s really a joke how blessed we are and how bad it is outside the USA 🇺🇸 people would kill to have the US citizenship and we are so spoiled and thankless.
Si vamos a llorar 😢 por que tenemos la ciudadanía americana tarjeta de la familia plan médico 🏥 educación prestigiosa gratis mientras en el resto de Colombia venezuela 🇻🇪 Mexico tienen $1 la hora y zero beneficios y viven en condiciones infra humanas
@@efexziumwhat are you saying 😂
It is amazing to see how a foreigner understands Puerto Rican history better than most Puertoricans, and even better that our so-called leaders, which strive to keep Puerto Rico a colony of the U.S., in fact, the oldest colony in the Caribbean. Congratulations to a job well-done to Johnny Harris and all the producers of this amazing and important exposé.---Dr. Freddie Gutiérrez (PhD Puerto Rican and Caribbean History)
Yes, you're right. Puertori cans don't know the history of PR but we the boriquas do! 65th
Unfortunately, every empire conquering a small territory needs hundreds of traitors from that territory to align with the empire's intentions. That's why Puerto Rico is still an American colony, not because the American empire has done much about it but because of the handful of traitors selling their land and people for a fistful of dollars.
Great report. Thanks for sharing!