Let’s make Puerto Rico a State in our Union. It’s long overdue.

Fellow Americans! This includes the people of Puerto Rico including those currently living on the island, and, sadly, unlike Puerto Ricans who live in a US state, cannot vote for their President and Vice-President. We are long overdue to make Puerto Rico a new state in our old Union, or grant it full  independence. The island’s status cannot continue to exist in the colonial twilight of legal purgatory. Yesterday in New York City, a comedian at Republican Donald Trump’s big Manhattan campaign rally made a nasty, ugly, and racist joke at Puerto Rico’s expense. The joke immediately antagonized Puerto Ricans everywhere. It angered numerous other Hispanics and Latinos including those who support Trump for President. Democratic candidate for Vice-President Tim Waltz called out the comedian, who in turn derided the Governor of Minnesota for being unable to take a joke. The vile comedian was defensive and concluded his remarks with an immature, stupid, and sexist joke about women’s periods.

An enormous backlash against the Trump-Vance campaign exploded. Many Republicans were embarrassed, disturbed, and criticized the pro-Trump jokester. Campaign insiders were incensed rally organizers did not properly vet the comedian. Furthermore, Trump’s Manhattan rally was noteworthy for the violence and hatred in Republican campaign rhetoric. Indeed, many considered it as having the most violent rhetoric of any major campaign rally. Another consequence is the hostile, hateful jokes shined a spotlight on the festering identity issues of Puerto Rico. Continue reading →