Mali LopezRegister 7th Final ReportPuerto Rico!!!

Puerto Rico is a relatively small island, located next to the Dominican Republic, that is super important to me. Originally, its land was populated by the indigenous Taino people who were practically wiped out upon the arrival of Christopher Columbus during his second voyage in 1493. He, of course, claimed the land for Spain and began the emergence of spanish culture on the island that continues to this day through the 95% of people who speak spanish as a first language. However, the distant and weak control the Spanish government had led to the creation of a unique creole culture and people in power. In 1898, after the Spanish-American war, Puerto Rico became a part of the USA win under the Treaty of Paris.

To this day, Puerto Ricans are considered US citizens with the rights to move freely between the two mainlands. They are not, however, allowed to vote in presidential elections. This is likely because they are not considered a state, but rather a territory. That idea is further supported by the fact that they do not have to pay federal taxes. Although this may seem like a fair deal to other US citizens, the majority of modern day Puerto Ricans either do not agree with their status as citizens without certain rights or they want Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of our country. It is believed by many that that may fix the large corruption of the island’s political system. Below current President Trump in power is the governor and commander-in-chief of the National guard Ricardo Rosello. Below him would stand the many mayors. In the opinions of my family and I, today’s mayors in power are extremely corrupt, lying and cheating to gain/continue their power. Two of these main mayors know and have personally affected my uncle for the worse. Carmen Cruz, mayor of San Juan, specifically was instructed under the care of my uncle as a patient in the hospital at which he works. (see: https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/hospitalizanacarmenyulincruz-2148233)When my uncle would not bend his diagnosis and bed rest requirements to fit her schedule, she went past the head of the hospital to ensure my uncle would be fired once she was healed.

Even from an unbiased and impersonal outlook, it is still obvious the government is not always proactive for its people. In September of 2017, level 5 Hurricane Maira ripped through the streets of Puerto Rico. It has been 7 months since the destruction and yet over half of the people do not have electricity back! Even San Juan, which I was able to visit in early April, shows signs of extreme destruction. Broken streetlights and ransacked shops are visible in almost every street of the capital. Issues like these continue to be problems for the inhabitants of the land who feel helpless and uncared for by politicians and the rest of our country.

I clearly feel very passionate towards the island due to its relevance in my life. My dad’s entire side of the family is Puerto Rican so I feel connected to it through his accent, my uncle who still lives there, and most importantly, through my grandmother’s cooking. Upon every visit, I am fortunate enough to be catered with popular dishes. Traditional foods of the culture include Mofongo and Tostones, variations of deep fried green plantains. Arroz con gandules, a rice dish with peas, is also common and usually served with Sofrito, a popular sauce. My personal favorite, however, is Ceviche, raw fish that is cooked acidically through lime juice and commonly eaten with red onions and cilantro. My southern mother personally cannot stand its strong smell and taste, but if you like sushi, I think you can like this dish!My Personally Crafted Puerto Rican Cultural Artifacts Collection:Ricky Martin, popular singer and actor who my dad looked a lot like when they were both younger

“Daddy Yankee” (left) and Luis Fonsi (right), singers. popularized by global hit “Despacito” ft. Justin Bieber

Francisco Oller, the only Latin American painter to have played a role in the development of Impressionism

Jose Campeche, first known Puerto Rican visual artist

Virgillo Da villa, popular poet from the modern literary era

Luis Llorens Torres, a poet and playwright who advocated for Puerto Rican independence

Jose Feliciano, singer. popularized by Christmas hit “Feliz Navidad” and was born blind

Jennifer Lopez, singer, 2000s pop ICON, movie actress, famous booty

Lin Manuel Miranda, my personal favorite, one of the best people ever. Popularized by writing music for broadway hits Bring It On, In the Heights, and SMASH hit Hamilton. Also wrote for Moana soundtrack.