Puerto Ricans Must Vote for Kamala Harris

San Juan, Puerto Rico by R9 Studios on Creative Commons

El Nuevo Día, Oct. 28

Borinquen! Name the pleasant thought like the memory of a deep love; beautiful garden of America the ornament, America being the garden of the world.

– Song to Puerto Rico, José Gautier Benítez. Read this article in English.

Today, all of us who love this beautiful Garden of America, and of the world, feel aching inside and our hearts are tight with rage and pain. This is a noble and peaceful people, who deeply love their island.

On Sunday, continuing a pattern of disdain and misinformation that Donald Trump has maintained for years against the eight million American citizens who are Puerto Ricans, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe insulted us during a Republican Party event by referring to Puerto Rico as “an island of garbage in the ocean.” Is that what Trump and the Republican Party think about Puerto Ricans? Politics is not a joke and hiding behind a comedian is cowardly.

For years, Trump has maintained a discourse of contempt and misinformation against the island that reveals an obsession and disdain toward a people who do not have the power to vote to defend themselves, since the three million American citizens who live in Puerto Rico cannot vote in the presidential elections. However, the other five million who live in the United States can vote, and they have also been called garbage. Let us not forget the paper towels he threw at us while we suffered without electricity for months, and let us not forget that the funds did not arrive because Trump – through the federal Department of Housing – stopped them, considering Puerto Ricans “lazy people who live begging.”

It is cowardly to insult someone who cannot defend themselves. At Sunday’s event, they not only insulted Puerto Ricans. They also insulted Latinos, blacks and women. An angry mob shouted “prostitute” at the Democratic Party presidential candidate. They also spat in front of a group of her supporters. Many were Latinos, who applauded, without understanding the consequences. One day it will be your turn.

Reporters Desk