Puerto Rico's New Progressive Party Seeks Bilingual Ballots, Not Trying Hard Enough To Make PR A State
Puerto Rico’s New Progressive Party is declaring the island’s Spanish-only voting ballots discriminatory, probably because they see this as a good way of ensuring Puerto Rico becomes the language-obsessed U.S.’s 51st state:
A Spanish-only ballot discriminates against 14 percent of 4 million islanders whose first language is English, said Edwin Mundo, an official with the New Progressive Party.
A translation of the ballots is expected to help the party’s results.
Sneaky, sneaky New PP’s! Nice try, but it’s going to take a little more than some pro-English sentiment to get us welcome a bunch of Mexicans or whatever as our 51st state. It’s going to take stuff like shopkeepers not feeling the need to close down shop during New York’s Puerto Rican Day Parade and shopkeepers who remain open from wishing a happy Puerto Rico day to any fairly dark-skinned person who happens to wander into their shops while letting them know how tasty they find Spanish food.
Maybe step up the casual xenophobia and cultural ignorance a smidge? Then you’ll be allowed to sit at our table. We’ll even bring enchirritos. You people like that, right?
Puerto Rican party says Spanish-only ballots unfair [NY Daily News]
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This proposal was an island wide joke since the majority of Puerto Ricans reject US Statehood and their corrupt leaders.
Posted by sandra | August 13, 2008
Sandra, we Ricans hate our corrupt leaders.
Statehood… not so much. If you look at the various referendums and plebiscites that have been held on the issue, you’ll see a 50/50 split between pro-statehood and pro-status-quo.
I’ll agree with the fact that the proposal was a joke though. If you don’t speak Spanish, you definitely have not spent enough time in PR to understand local politics or what you are voting for.
Posted by dlab | August 14, 2008
And now that I look at the picture again, that makeup makes the girl look like a little Llanera Solitaria.
Posted by dlab | August 14, 2008
I have to agree with dlab and I do find quite insulting that blog post if you’re not a puerto rican please do not give your opinion on our political issues…
Posted by coquispirit | August 14, 2008
@ coquispirit: I think you don’t quite understand sarcasm. And wouldn’t a Puerto Rican political party’s appeal for statehood also be an American political issue? Beside, your comment is saying people shouldn’t, for example, be concerned about genocide, war, human rights violations, diseases or natural disasters in other countries because its not, technically, “your country’s issue.” We live on a planet, not just on our own streets. Who are you to say when and where it’s appropriate for someone to voice his or her opinion?
Posted by piruli | August 14, 2008
@coquispirit - yeah, guanabee is huge on sarcasm, don’t be offended. honestly I find the article above more offensive towards gringos, especially with the comment that PR needs to step up the “casual xenophobia and cultural ignorance” to be a part of the US…
Posted by dlab | August 14, 2008
@piruli - I think coquispirit was talking about sandra who talked about Puerto Ricans in third person…
Posted by dlab | August 14, 2008
I think 14% might be a bit high. An exaggeration, perhaps?
Most people in Puerto Rico do not speak English to an appreciable degree. And like it or not, it’s going to be a must for statehood.
The second stumbling block is the inability for most Puerto Ricans to put themselves as Americans first, Boricua pride is too far ingrained. After 400 years of Spanish/Puerto Rican culture, it’s a hard thing to give up.
The third problem is that a great many voters like it right where it’s at - getting the benefits of US Tax dollars without having to pay into the system (SS aside). Just look at all the people at the stores in nice clothes, expensive jewelry, a nice car… whipping out a food stamp card. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you probably live in NY too much.
And as for corrupt leaders? Hello, who was that getting probed this past spring for illegal actions? The governor?
PR needs to be set free and allowed to grow up. It has become like a child that stays too long at home.
Posted by Michael | August 19, 2008
’ PLEBESCITO21 ”, The first authentic original Borricuas family and friends BOARDGAME is now for sale and available to the public. ($23.95 + SH )YES it’s BI-Lingual..yes its educational, yes its culturally oriented, yes it infuses el delito politico puertorriqueno in all of us. For ages 7 thru 97..” PLEBESCITO21 “, Is looking seeking for a PR Political Party sponsorship finance for its manufacturing and its board art will be at el museo de artes de ponce..soon..contact email dalipicazo@aol.com for availability and more..
Posted by enrique | September 15, 2008