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What do you do when ten or twelve people on your street alone develop cancer, or when your kids are playing in the backyard but you don’t know if the ash that’s covered everything will give them cancer or respiratory disease. What do you do when the water you drink could contain heavy metals that seeped into it because your government has allowed a coal company to dump it’s waste in your community without any accountability to human health risks… That’s when you know you’re in Puerto Rico. This week we examine some of the events that led to a decade long struggle of the people against a multinational Coal Company called AES. We cover the issue by sharing some of the work of an Environmental Lawyer/community member Ruth Santiago, who has been on the ground fighting this issue as well as a post-doc fellow/researcher of Social Movements from St. Louis, Fernando Tormos Aponte. As protesters from Puerto Rico board a plane this week to Arlington, Virginia I wanted to speak to whoever is available from this movement about what is happening and what we can do to help. The stories are frightening. Check it out and please share/take action against the criminal behavior of AES. Click here to see how you can get involved with Climate Justice Alliance: https://climatejusticealliance.org/ You can follow the Puerto Rican Climate Justice/Environmental Justice groups here: https://www.facebook.com/cerocenizasdecarbon/ https://www.facebook.com/viveboriken/ https://www.facebook.com/CJAOurPower/ Contact the EPA below and tell them that you want them to address the violations of human rights and toxic environmental waste causing cancer and other health problems in Puerto Rico: https://www.epa.gov/home/forms/contact-epa To learn more about this issue you can find information in these articles: https://www.thenation.com/article/puerto-rico-coal-ash/ http://periodismoinvestigativo.com/2016/03/puerto-rico-government-and-epa-agree-to-amend-aes-contract-behind-closed-doors/ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/coal-ash-raising-concerns-over-health-risks-in-puerto-rico https://news.littlesis.org/2019/02/18/suny-chancellor-sits-on-board-of-aes-a-coal-power-company-dumping-toxic-waste-in-puerto-rico/ https://www.latinorebels.com/2018/01/27/hurricane-maria-puerto-ricos-unnatural-disaster/ https://www.latinorebels.com/2018/08/07/epapuertorico/

Before you do anything else today, go to this website and get yourself these amazing comic books: https://www.la-borinquena.com/ As a female person of color, I rarely saw myself represented in the content I consumed growing up, and I definitely do not remember ever seeing a Superhero that ever looked like ME. This is why La Borinqueña is so important to the younger generations of latinas. Graphic novelist Edgardo Miranda and a number of incredibly talented graphic artists from Puerto Rico and the US, worked on a comic book that raised funds for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria called RICANstruction – collaborating with DC Comics to raise awareness about the needs of the island. La Borinqueña is a Superhero that has inspired and raised close to a quarter of a million dollars for grassroots organizations on the islands. Yet her impact reaches far beyond this fact. Because children in our community can see themselves in a way they haven’t ever seen themselves before. What I learned when I sat down with Edgardo will leave you inspired. And the conversation will also push you to ask yourself: What does it mean to have real representation, and original stories, in the content you consume on a daily basis? And beyond that, to ask who are the gatekeepers that determine whether you see yourself in the content that you pay for? One of the amazing things about this comic series is that Edgardo was able to bring in DC Comics … from Wonder Woman to Superman, Batman and Green Lantern. We discussed that all it takes to raise awareness for the island is the belief that you can contribute, through your voice, your skills, your networks… through action. There are so many ways each of us can positively impact an island that experienced the worst hurricane in their history. The discussion with Edgardo covers many things but we started with the most looming crisis – the Puerto Rican debt crisis. He shares that his first comic with La Borinqueña was focused on being able to digest how the debt crisis is impacting the people and allow those most affected to have a voice, to counter the fact that the island’s residents are US citizens and yet do not have voting representation in Congress. Edgardo also discusses that the public needs to better understand Puerto Rico’s struggle under colonialism. And knowing Puerto Rico’s history is key. History is an important aspect of the comics that Edgardo felt was needed to fully capture what it means to be Puerto Rican and American. We spoke of the ability of La Borinqueña to tap into popular culture to tell Puerto Rican stories, and be a catalyst for more conversations. Edgardo noted that most comics are written by white men and the narratives therefore pursue white male fulfillment in villians that are bullies to be defeated. But Edgardo asks: “To tell our stories of people of color, what are we going to do differently? Are we going to perpetuate the same traps?” Edgardo notes that his upbringing was full of strong women who mentored him closely, and which had a huge influence on his creation of La Borinqueña Comics. He states his activism is centered on the issues that affect marginalized groups who have been discriminated against. We also spoke about the economic condition and climate change effects on Puerto Rico. The fact that the people of the islands have been working on borrowed money from the start. (Check out the episode on the Debt to learn about the historical economic justice issues affecting Puerto Rico here). Edgardo also shares what happened when Hurricane Maria hit and the circumstances around that tragic day that changed our lives. Edgardo spoke about being at a comic convention right after the Hurricane and worrying that it was inappropriate to be at this event given what was happening on the island. But ultimately many there described it as a therapeutic moment for all of them. We spoke also of the Puerto Ricans living in the US realizing the level of inequality, that it was a “wakeup call” that made the millions in the US react to the disparity the islanders are facing, but also to galvanize them to organize and act. Since Maria we see many raising awareness and funds, and supporting organizations on the island to bring notice to the Public health crisis happening there. When asking “What it means to be Puerto Rican” we discuss the fact that the answer is not one note, but that our experiences are varied and rich in perspectives. Edgardo travels the country to share the stories because of the power in connecting on universal experiences. And that universality is key towards a more equitable society, where the experiences of people of color are humanized. Before the interview was over I had to ask Edgardo… “How much further do we still have to go in representation in Hollywood and mainstream media” and his answer was great… “We have a lot to go!… it feels like we haven’t even gotten on the bus yet, (like) we’re still waiting at the bus stop!” Perhaps my favorite moment of this interview was when Edgardo mentioned that La Borinqueña is a symbol of hope…. and I hope you also find yourself thinking of this as well, as we continue to share the voices of people who struggle daily, just to be treated with the same rights and dignity as anyone else on the mainland. HOW can you help? Buy the La Borinqueña Comics, especially RICANstruction, which raises funds for Puerto Rico’s grass roots organizations. You can find the website here: https://www.la-borinquena.com/ https://www.la-borinquena.com/

To listen to the episode please follow this iTunes link or you can listen on Stitcker.com here. From the first time I heard her story and her idea of a children’s book that captures the history of colonization in Puerto Rico, I was overwhelmed with bittersweet joy. I wished I had been able to read something like that when I was a little girl. I remember the moments in my life when I read about some of the most influential figures in Puerto Rico’s struggle to be free: Pedro Albizu Campos, Lola de Tio, Lolita Lebron, and even indigenous Caciques that fought the conquistadors. Spain and then the United States, both invaded and repressed anyone who dared mention freedom for Puerto Rico. It was hate and ignorance that led us here. Puerto Ricans have every right to govern themselves, and this is the story our children must learn. Because while we are living in the country that promotes equality, freedom and democracy it takes little to ask ourselves what is wrong with the Puerto Rico situation. It becomes imperative to take our story to the American public and highlight the need to give a colonized people their Freedom. So I hope you’ll join the growing Puerto Rican movement that says that no country should cede it’s sovereignty to another. This is why the work of Yajaira De La Espada is so important. She is an afro-latina/afro-Boricua that embodies the fierce warriors that are emerging to tell the stories that have long been denied to us or hidden from us. A children’s book that highlights the history of colonization… She hopes that the book will be a resource to encourage children to thoroughly imagine what a free and sovereign Puerto Rico looks like. This is the work that our people in the Diaspora and in Puerto Rico are starving for, and have been waiting so long to see. I know that Yajaira’s work is special, I know there’s a market for it… because in every face I meet through my activism, I see the spirit of a people who are ready to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Yajaira has been working to publish her work and I wanted to bring her story to all of you so that we can support it and someday soon hold it in our hands as we share the stories of our ancestors with our kids, nieces and nephews. “I am raising funding for a picture book I wrote entitled, The Alphabet of Enchantment Island. It is an A-Z love letter to mi isla del encanto and an ode to AfroBoricuas past, present, and future. I would love your support. Please share with your community.” You can support Yajaira via her go fund me here: https://www.gofundme.com/yayaalphabet Her contact information is: Instagram/Twitter: @yajairawrites Website: Yajairawrites.com Other interesting highlights from her conversation was her work in a Texas town with a large Mexican community: “They didn’t cross the border, the border crossed them” and the children she taught inspired her to work on a culturally relevant curriculum or culturally relevant children’s stories. It was also alarming to hear her insights into the education systems and how flawed they are, from removal of librarians and counselors, to the unwelcoming environment for students from other countries and especially those displaced from Puerto Rico. We discussed representation of afrolatinos in film too and the work needed to bring awareness to that as well. Yajaira highlighted past examples of representation, like Sonia Manzano from Sesame street, and Christina Vidal in the show Taina. But we spoke of recent examples to represent Puerto Rico as well, like “La Borinquena” by Edgardo Miranda and Miles Morales in the Spiderverse Movie. And representation is so important because often the gatekeepers say things like “Puerto Ricans don’t read” or there’s no “Market” for a book on Puerto Rico’s history of colonization. But this is just the same old story, the same discrimination Puerto Ricans have always faced… and it’s up to us to fight that and say that our stories DO MATTER.

This week I spoke to Gloriann Sacha Antonetty about Racial Justice… A topic that impacts Public Health in so many ways. This was one conversation I’d been wanting to do for so long. One of the interesting pieces of this conversation was around Images of Oppression in all, but especially Puerto Rican history books, and how the education system is in many ways biased – because it doesn’t provide stories that give a holistic picture of our African descendants that were brought to Puerto Rico and enslaved. We spoke about the fact that this imagery matters because no child would want to associate with images of slaves and people who were chained. So she spoke about the need to highlight those Afro-Puertoricans that made great contributions in history and to the Puerto Rican community. Giving children a perspective that instead celebrates the accomplishments of our African ancestors is so important. We also spoke about experiences of discrimination on the island. From experiences in the workplace, to simply visiting a pharmacy, and the salaries of black women – it’s clear that racism does exist everywhere and in Puerto Rico it is not acknowledged enough. Gloriann noted that it is important to value our African descendants and heritage, and I absolutely agree with her. The interview highlighted also the need for solidarity and taking part in conversations with others on how to gain the tools to fight racism both externally and internally. I felt so glad to hear her suggestions on how to address racist sometimes subtle aggressions in your day to day. And finally I spoke to her about what she’s most passionate about. We spoke about her youth, and constant search for magazines with women that looked like her and her family. The way her father would go everywhere he could to find her a copy of Essence. And in speaking to Gloriann about her passion, her dream of creating a magazine that represents afro-carribean women, I realized that her vision will change the lives of so many women and little girls. I’m excited to keep following her work and I hope you’ll pick up that copy of the first magazine here: www.revistaetnica.com. Although much needs to be done, I truly believe Gloriann’s children, all children, will see a world that values and celebrates Black women/men and the impact of Afro-Caribbean people. NOTE: I started the Episode with a Music recommendation from Gloriann – IFE A powerfully progressive synthesis of electronic sound and Afro-Caribbean language, ÌFÉ is a bold new musical project from Puerto Rico based African American drummer/producer/singer Otura Mun. Mun, an Ifá priest or Babalawo in the Yoruba religion, has been a vanguard artist in the Puerto Rican music scene since his arrival there in the late 1990’s, producing critically acclaimed albums and songs for many of the islands most important musical voices. Founder and Director: Otura Mun. Musicians: Beto Torrens, Anthony Sierra, Yarimir Cabán This is the Cover of the Book mentioned in the interview for the classroom, which is designed to address Racism and revise the way we speak of our African identity.

This week – Puerto Ricans face a life-and-death decision… Reporting for the first time this year from Puerto Rico, I wanted to cover the most pressing issue happening on the island right now. On the eve of a major and possibly historic decision in Bankruptcy law, it is important to understand how the COFINA Agreement that is coming before Judge Swain on January 16 will affect the health and future of Puerto Ricans on the island. So to help us understand it I am joined by Alvin Velazquez, Associate General Counsel for the Service Employees International Union– and SEIU representative in the bankruptcy proceedings in Title III in Puerto Rico. Before he worked for SEIU, he was Executive Director of the Commission to Audit Puerto Rico’s Debt. Alvin has a Finance and Commercial Litigation background, and works in the labor movement on financial and tech issues. I’m also joined by Armando Santiago Pintado, coordinator for Hedge Clippers. He is coordinating a campaign in Puerto Rico in efforts to lift up what’s happening with hedge funds in PR relating to the islands debt. He’s worked in the past as a Policy advisor and in Policy research, but currently is part of the field campaign supporting organizations in Puerto Rico fight back against Wall Street greed. Hedge Clippers is a “group working to expose the mechanisms hedge funds and billionaires use to influence government and politics in order to expand their wealth, influence and power. We’re exposing the collateral damage billionaire-driven politics inflicts on our communities, our climate, our economy and our democracy.” The start of the episode opens with a song written in 1929, Lamento Borincano / “Puerto Rican Mourning” – which was a song that “illustrated the economic precariousness that had engulfed the Puerto Rican farmer” Borincano refers to the name of the island before Spain colonized it. The lyrics are symbolic of the current state of the island, because it tells the story of the “Jibaro” or countryman who cannot make a living and sadly reflects “What will become of Borinquen, my God, what will become of our children and our home….” In many poignant ways, the lyrics reflect what is happening in Puerto Rico, as Islanders ask themselves what will become of their children, their homes, their healthcare, and their family’s well-being if this Agreement is signed by the Judge. We are left to wonder if there is any humanity left in Puerto Rico, with Debtors extracting every last penny from a territory designed to fall into poverty, and still hurting from the most catastrophic hurricane in US history. And many more will continue to prey on the island if together we don’t send a message that this agreement goes counter to human dignity and human decency. The conditions created by this deal, will exacerbate the issues happening and lead to worse health outcomes for millions of people. In many ways- the outcomes will be not be seen, because when it comes to Puerto Rico, it’s easy to simply not see the inhumane way that Wall Street has stripped it of revenue for decades – causing Puerto Ricans to lack access for even basic services. It is a fact that we would not have had to bury so many of our loved ones, if the billionaires that live in high-rises in New York City had not aimed their sights on our already bleeding Borinquen. For more information on what COFINA is you can click on this link: https://news.littlesis.org/2018/11/19/the-cofina-agreement-part-1-the-first-40-years/?fbclid=IwAR0U89DIjUKM1gcQwhrDP6hFODR1UKLludj6xjEvYQ2XIU1AXjGmD8ia3D0 English Lyrics of Lamento Borincano/PuertoRican Lament,MourningHe sets off happily with his cargoTo the city, to the cityCarries in his thoughtsA whole world filled with happinessOh, of happinessHe plans to remedy the household situationWhich is all that he loves! And happy, the peasant goesThinking, saying, singing on the way:“If I sell my wares, my dear GodI’ll buy a suit for my little old lady” And his mare is happy For he knows that the song isAll a joyful hymnAnd then the daylight comes unexpectedlyAnd they arrive to the city market The entire morning goes byWithout anyone wantingTo buy his wares, oh, to buy his waresEverything, everything is desertedAnd the town is full of needOh, of needThe mourning is heard everywhereIn my unhappy Borinquen, And full of sadness, the peasant goes homeThinking, sayingCrying along the way:“What will happen to Borinquen, my dear GodWhat will happen to my children and my home?” Oh! Borinquen, the land of EdenThe one that when sung by the great GautierHe called The pearl of the Seas“Now that you lay dying from your sorrowsLet me sing to you alsoBorinquen of my love” I’m a child of Borinquen and no one will change thatI’m a child of Borinquen and no one will change thatAnd on the day that I die, I want to rest in youI love you, Puerto Rico, and no one will take that away!

The Update It’s been a month of tough conversations with my family, protests, and press conferences. The anniversary of my stepdads death was also this month – so it’s been an incredibly difficult time for me and my family. The Return to Boriken, Interrupted: I had to deliver really heartbreaking news to my family over Thanksgiving about my move to PR. For those following this journey, I shared on Instagram that in fact, I can’t move back to Puerto Rico due to a colonial policy that continues affecting our communities. It is just one of many barriers that prevent Puerto Ricans from coming home… After initially approving a remote move to Puerto Rico, my work found that tax laws are considered international in Puerto Rico, so moving would lead to loss of benefits, health insurance. They were only able to approve a move to another state. So I chose New York City, the place where Puerto Rican activists have been at it for decades, and historically where many Boricuas displaced by colonialism have chosen to make their home. Meanwhile the tax system benefits those outside the island, as a tax haven for the wealthy, but keeps families apart. In many ways, moving to NYC felt like I was breaking a promise not only to my mom but also to the Island as well. So it was a tough to tell her, knowing what had happened just a year ago… And grief is a powerful thing… it breaks you, it overwhelms you in unexpected ways. So I took some time from podcasting to focus on my family and simply enjoy being on the island. However, recent events in Puerto Rico led me out onto the streets. In this episode I cover my experiences at the protests in Old San Juan on gender-based violence and a Press Conference on toxic-ash dumping that is causing cancer and other illnesses in the population. Read more about the Protests at the end and also please support Colectiva Feminista En Construcción here, as well as the Coalition against Ash dumping here. The goal of this podcast is not just to help raise awareness on our struggle but connect us to the solutions. This Puerto Rican Movement is ours to lead. I hope you will also listen in and share this week’s Interview with a Puerto Rican filmmaker whose voice is a powerful reminder that WOMEN will lead the next social revolution. Thank you Karen – you spoke from the heart and you shed a light on the work we still need to do. A Puerto Rican Documentary Karen Rossi is a Puerto Rican woman and documentary filmmaker who just completed documentary called “Ser Grande/When I grow Up” about 3 young kids growing up in the Luis Llorens housing project in Puerto Rico. She stated that she did this documentary when she started asking which organizations in Puerto Rico are tackling social issues from a preventative point of view. That’s when she found “Jovenes De Puerto Rico.” https://www.jovenesdepuertoricoenriesgo.org From that question, “Ser Grande” came to be. You can check out the trailer here:  https://youtu.be/VOPR-uJbSpE Karen also shares her work with AdocPR – a non-profit organization that brings together documentary filmmakers. And AdocPR has just released a web-based store that sells films by Puerto Rican filmmakers. The Web-Based lease share this link and support their movement to create a platform for more diverse voices in Film: https://www.adocpr.org/latiendita/ In the News: Documental boricua “Ser grande” es recibido con entusiasmo en La Habana @ElNuevoDia http://fw.to/uLOfptj More about AdocPR: AdocPR is a non-profit organization that brings together several generations of documentary filmmakers in the country with the aim of promoting the development of documentary film, and improve our working conditions. . Protests, Press Conferences and the Illegal debt The Protest was covered in multiple mediums but this article is a great start if you want to learn more and how to support the movement to address Gender-based Violence: http://remezcla.com/features/culture/police-pepper-spray-activists-puerto-rico/ To learn more about the Toxic ash dumping you can review these 2 sources that cover the issue very well: http://periodismoinvestigativo.com/2018/12/arroyo-barril-coal-ash-and-death-remain-15-years-later/ https://youtu.be/JpVT7L7DIYs You can also follow a few coalitions that organize on the island to protest the legislation and trucks that dump toxic ash: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=576408199198172&ref=br_rs https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=209727199117675&ref=br_rs https://www.facebook.com/groups/678202402352487/?ref=br_rs Judge Swain and the COFINA Agreement has been in the news recently and the links below show how you can take direct action to help stop legislation that will adversely impact the lives of Puerto Ricans. You can learn more in the links below: Sign the Petition to Judge Swain: https://www.change.org/p/jueza-swain-rechace-acuerdo-de-cofina-propuesto-por-la-junta Check out my email to the Judge here Contact Judge Swain via email to express your concerns directly: swaindprcorresp@nysd.uscourts.gov Press Release on COFINA Agreement: https://www.facebook.com/notes/di%C3%A1spora-en-resistencia/press-release-puerto-ricans-call-on-judge-taylor-swain-to-reject-agreement-betwe/336473216940811/

This week – I’m excited to share a conversation about focused on what it means to engage with your community. I chat with someone from a Social Impact organization about health in communities, as well as the history and work of the Young Lords/Black Panthers in public health. Ivelyse Andino was a wonderful guest and provided some interesting insight into how we can use the power of the community to better the health of our people. She is the founder and CEO of Radical Health – the first #Latina-owned B-Corporation in NYC. What struck me as we chatted was that she is part of a radical movement that has been around for some time, and the more we discuss these radical solutions, it will revolutionize the health of our neighbors and ourselves. I was also really happy to hear that Ivelyse was so excited to meet another Boricua involved in #Healthcare #technology and who also explores the #SocialDeterminants of Health. Her advice to the rest of us in the Diaspora: Don’t stop learning about the Puerto Rican history and how you can keep building up the Puerto Rican community and connecting to the networks near you.   As Ivelyse says: “The beauty when we can come together” and take part in building up our people. Don’t miss out on this important chat and share it. We love hearing from you and learning what you enjoyed about the podcast and what we can do to make it even better. [borikenpodcast@gmail.com] Ivelyse Andino Bio: http://www.radical-health.com/ivelyse/ Radical Health Social Media: Instagram  Facebook PBS Article on the Young Lords: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/puerto-rican-radical-group-young-lords-retake-new-york-city-multi-museum-exhibit About: “Radical Health is a minority – women owned, social impact organization. We started with a crazy idea – What if people – doctors, nurses, neighbors, family caretakers, got together without an agenda or any pretense and began talking about a way we can change health as we know it? Through these conversations Radical Health was formed. Radical Health turns the paradigm of top-down medical treatment on its head by activating  community members to become engaged partners in health care and to become change agents in addressing disparities in their neighborhoods. The US healthcare system is broken. We spend $3T annually in clinical care to solely provide “sick care”.  Minorities and other historically marginalized populations, are disproportionately affected by health disparities, resulting in higher hospitalization rates,  lower life expectancy and over $60B in lost productivity annually.  Radical Health mobilizes  those from marginalized demographics such as LGBTQI, formerly incarcerated, undocumented immigrants,  and disabled populations to leverage their lived experience to impact health disparities, build community and generate supplemental income. Radical Health mobilizes those suffering from health disparities to become agents of change in promoting health, thereby shifting knowledge, power, and resources to those who are most in need. Radical Health is leading the transformation from a paternalistic, “systems know best” paradigm, to a community-driven approach where engaged and motivated community members influence the delivery of health care.  These are network of people not just invested in their own wellbeing, but in that of the community. Through our community-based approach we build out the networks and relationships that impact health outcomes which allows for enhanced provider – patient experiences and reductions in unnecessary ER visits. As a result, we see related impacts in education and public safety, and ultimately a flourishing economy. Our radical approach redefines the status quo and creates pathways to meaningful employment, community strengthening, and re-investment of funding to the people through health and technology. We know that the task ahead of us is not an easy one, but we believe in the power of community – collaborating to create change. We invite you to share with us your thoughts on what Radical Health means to you. Sign up to be a part of the movement. Share with a friend. Partner with Radical Health to start a project in your community. Together, we can make a difference.”

This week I invited my friend Stephanie Belk Prats to have a conversation with me about the upcoming elections. Stephanie is a writer and strategist who completed her MFA at The New School in New York City. We met up and recorded our thoughts on the way Puerto Ricans are portrayed in the Media around these Elections, and specifically the narrative about those displaced by Hurricane Maria. We want to give a shout out to Vamos4PR and BoricuActivated, two Puerto Rican Organizations in Florida who are working hard to ensure that those who can, actually  do vote on Tuesday. We hope all that were displaced can go vote… but though we are a community that suffered this Trauma together, it does merit mentioning that those displaced by Maria deserve dignity in the way they are addressed and the way they are mentioned in the Media. We hope you enjoy this conversation and I will certainly post a follow up episode with reactions on the results. For those who are still wondering – “Why Vote?” – just let me say this: It’s easy to feel defeated, but lets do the other thing instead. Let’s send a strong message to the powers who normally ignore us. In our vote – we send a message that we are present and we’re not going to negotiate on our Colonial status anymore. That we are united. SO vote. Vote even if you hate the options, vote even if you think neither party will give us anything. Vote because they shouldn’t be allowed to forget. Vote because you are owed an answer to the thousands of lives that DIED on Puerto Rican soil, en nuestra isla…. On our island. Vote because my stepdad didn’t live, and I’m still here picking up the pieces, hoping that someday our collective efforts will give us back our dignity. Do this for the many Puerto Ricans on the island who are looking to us in the Diaspora for strength and hope and solidarity. We won’t forget you Puerto Rico. We will defend you. https://vimeo.com/297636736  

In Puerto Rico, Freedom has been fought for and lost. And the losses are not just in the actual battles that occurred in places like Lares and Ponce, but also in the minds of some Puerto Ricans. This week we take a close look at those who have been so colonized, that they feel statehood is the right option for an oppressed society, and murdered two young men to enforce it.   Historically, statehood supporters in Puerto Rico have waged a war on the Puerto Rican Nation, essentially acting as an extension of the United States, who has kept the island colonized. The Statehood supporters submitted to the racist theories that Puerto Ricans cannot lead and are not capable of having their own nation. Their premise is that we have always been Americans… but unfortunately history tells a different story, and they cannot white-wash the identity we carry with pride. Although they lost their identity to a country that has denied them freedom for 120 years, the rest of us who are committed to the ideals of democracy, freedom, and the understanding that all men are created equal….  believe it is essential to any Society, and no less a Puerto Rican Society. “We hold these truths be self-evident”… Puerto Rico is a Nation that deserves it’s pursuit of Freedom. The Cerro Maravilla Incident This week we go way back to 1978, to a mountain-side in Puerto Rico where two young men lost their lives in pursuit of freedom and justice. Their names were Carlos Enrique Soto Arriví and Arnaldo Darío Rosado Torres. In order to tell the story of the Cerro Maravilla Murders, I had the help of a Puerto Rican Playwright called Jon Marcantoni. He wrote a play called Puerto Rican Nocturne that tells the story of these two murders from the point of view of the detective that master-minded the entire thing, and worked with local law enforcement to cover it up. This story also tells the story from the perspective of a family that never recovered from the brutal murders of their children. About Jon Marcantoni:  A Novelist, Playwright, and Founder of LCG Press: Unconventional literature by Latin American authors. He has been featured in the Huffington Post, LA Times, Washington Post, Al Jazeera, NBCLatino, Fronteras on NPR. His work has been featured in Across the Margin, PANK Magazine, Minor Literatures, Numero Cinq, The New Engagement, Latino Rebels, Enclave, and others. He works out the humanity behind the labels that separate us, and what keeps us from fighting capitalist exploitation. You can get in touch with Jon at jon.marcantoni@gmail.com. Don’t miss this riveting look at how colonized minds react to the dreams of two young activists who are simply seeking to have what many Americans take for granted: Freedom. As an American, we need to do better. We need to ask ourselves how we can be comfortable in knowing that we colonize others, when we fought and won our own independence from the English. I ask every American: don’t let the American values we hold dear mean nothing in Puerto Rico. Let’s learn together, fight together, and be part of the change that liberates this Island Nation. Thank you for listening this week and be sure to share and follow/subscribe. You may also find these links interesting: Latino Rebels Article on the Murders and an interview with iLe, a Puerto Rican Singer: http://www.latinorebels.com/2014/07/25/today-in-history-the-tragedy-of-cerro-maravilla-video/ http://www.latinorebels.com/2018/08/15/ileinterview/ “Odio” Music video by the artist iLe, about the Murders: https://youtu.be/z6ZuUplbEOY      

The Taíno Lives… El Taíno Vive…. In Puerto Rico Taíno, African and Spanish blood runs through us. It’s a reminder that we are a beautiful mix of cultures. History, however, has sought to erase that identity or mold it to the calculations of those with power and influence. This week’s episode is insanely important because… we share the truth they wanted to hide. Our Taino ancestors live on in us. We carry the DNA of Warriors. For a long time many on the island and in the #diaspora were falsely taught that the Taíno had been erased, decimated… that none of them remained. But today those who would not give up on finding the truth, have shown us that in our #PuertoRican Nation… The Taíno Lives… El Taíno Vive. This week Alba Garcia Rivas shares her work on a puppet film for children but also for all of us, that seeks to raise awareness on the issues affecting Puerto Rico, and also place it in the context of the first people to suffer colonization: The Taíno History is important and through her art Alba draws us into the beauty our heritage, of those who came before… who still call out to us because they are not lost to history, they live within us… in our traditions and culture. This week we honor the Taíno, we honor our island, and we continue to say proudly… we are #Boricuas and we do not forget. https://vimeo.com/270571167#embed https://vimeo.com/270571167   From Alba’s Indiegogo: “Experts and leaders on Taíno Community I am working closely with Antropologist Dr. Yarey Melendez founder of the Naguake schools in Puerto Rico, she currently teaches a restored  version of the Taíno language in the school curriculum, and Luis Ramos a Taíno Community leader, a Bohike (Taíno Healer) and Activist of Naguake community. Also more leaders of our Taíno community have been interested and gave us advise, here they are: Bert Correa, Bobby Gonzalez, and Ramon Rivera. I thank you all for your input and kindness.” https://vimeo.com/270571167#embed For more information on the Taino Indians: This year there was an exhibit in NYC at the National Museum of the American Indian. I had the opportunity to take pictures and you can see them here on 10/3/18. Also check out the museum’s page for more information and below also some links to content mentioned in the Podcast: https://americanindian.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/item/?id=966 CNN Latino Article Alba is also featured in CNN Latino this week! Check it out below: https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2018/09/28/yo-soy-boricua-y-me-van-a-escuchar-con-mi-arte-la-respuesta-de-una-artista-puertorriquena-a-donald-trump/  

This was a tough week – and it took monumental effort to keep my head high and my will strong. But as we mourn the deaths of thousands on our beloved island, I’m reminded that the Diaspora and Puerto Rico are more united than we’ve ever been. I know that through our tragedy, we can build a better future for our Puerto Rican Nation. This week I interviewed Rosa Clemente, and got to meet her in NYC for the 1 Year anniversary. It was an impactful conversation because we discussed what it means to free Puerto Rico from colonization. And it does not involve a vote – it involves acknowledging that as a colonized Nation – Puerto Rico deserves to lead their own country on their own terms, and for their own people. A couple of weeks ago I came to NYC to speak with Jacquie Acosta who said she would be willing to share her family’s loss after Hurricane Maria. There are no words that I can say to comfort those who lost someone. I can only say I see you, and I feel your pain. We have our memories but it’s only in the act of sharing these stories and raising awareness for Puerto Rico, that we can find some sort of peace. Thank you to all that shared their pain, and to all that are willing to stand up for a Free Puerto Rico, a Free Boriken.  

“They said… ‘and now Puerto Rico has to be Free’ ….” – Rosa Clemente on the people she spoke with when she went to the island after Hurricane Maria. This week I’m pretty excited to share the voice of Rosa Clemente, a community leader and activist who was in Puerto Rico for 10 days after Maria hit. She took some time to chat with me about how she became an activist and she also recommended some readings for us.  I was particularly captured by the psychology of colonialism that she said is covered really well by Franz Franon. One thing that really had me thinking was the fact that colonialism inflicts lasting damage on a culture and it’s people and trying to organize any vote to pick the best option for Puerto Rico does not actually address that. Instead everyone should be fighting for the right of Puerto Rico for self-determination, liberty and self-governance. It’s clear that the exploitation of the People of Puerto Rico has affected the health of the island. Being affiliated with the United States has not given Puerto Rico any advantage, because when history and facts are on the table… it is clearly only the United States that benefits. They impose the austerity, they drain the Puerto Rican economy (since 1900 when they took 50% of revenue) and continue to pull resources off the island while children and students go hungry and our elders are left without their basic needs. She started PR on the Map after the Hurricane and visited the island for 10 days after Maria hit to cover the issues in Puerto Rico from the colonial context, which was not being done by mainstream media. She stated “FEMA has a bad record for a reason”… and tells us about what she saw FEMA doing in Puerto Rico. The image of FEMA officials partying while people were waiting for aid will always stay with me, when I think of my mom and stepdad waiting for water. We also cover race and she explains how important it is to understand that engaging the political system is – and not just highlighting hair and skin in the fight against Racism and racist structures. Listen in to the incredible stories and this thought-provoking conversation on what we can do to move forward. Rosa’s Website can be found here: http://rosaclemente.net/ PR on the Map can be found here: http://pronthemap.com/ https://vimeo.com/244218606    

Toldos Pa’ Mi Gente is a Puerto Rican organization that provided tarps to their neighbors without roofs when they noticed that a month after Maria – many were still waiting on FEMA and the local government to provide them. They pointed to the fact that a year later a space was found with abandoned tarps that never made it to those that needed it most. As the anniversary of Hurricane Maria quickly approaches, many of us can reflect on those first efforts the Diaspora and Puerto Ricans on the island made to help the people. Especially when it became horrifyingly clear that we were not going to be receiving the same treatment as other Americans who suffered a natural disaster. With the almost 3 thousand deaths and climbing… this week I wanted to share the work one group did to show their neighbors that they were not alone. That’s what makes me proud to be #Boricua. For all those that provided meals, water, abrazos/hugs, and the blue tarps that their neighbors needed for shelter…. You have my deepest admiration and respect. Your work saved lives, and your commitment gave us a vision for a Puerto Rico made by Puerto Ricans. Thank you for giving us this important reminder of who we really are.   I interviewed Amarilis from Toldos Pa’ Mi Gente and she provided a much needed look into what it was like after the Hurricane and still today. Amarilis started off by saying that the hurricane uncovered the poverty that was there, that they were only able to see after the trees were laid bare. She said it was so frustrating to see people living in fragile conditions. Seeing older people take out their clothes every day to dry. So she decided to put up a facebook post that she wished she had tarps to help put them and they received their first tarp from Australia. And 2 months later they had almost 100 tarps. She was worried she would receive more than she could put up. She and the neighbors got together to organize and at least 30 volunteers showed up the first day. They did a needs assessment because someone had skills is social work. And from there they grew but she pointed something out that was very important. Tarps are temporary – they are not meant to be on there for more than 3 months. So they decided to move on to the next phase of actually putting up roofs instead of tarps for long term solutions. She mentions that soon they will have a donate button on their page but what they are most in need of at the moment is a Truck or large vehicle to transport materials and people around. But in terms of the fragile conditions in PR she speaks about one woman they are helping who has gotten so tired of scooping out the water that gets into her house that she just lives with it up to her knees. She refuses to leave and refuses to do any more work pushing water out. It’s a clear example of the extremely frustrating and mentally draining day to day that happens among those caught up in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. She also pointed out the fact that even if someone receives electricity in their home, it does not resolve the most important issue – that they don’t have a roof. What good is electricity if you are living in those conditions? I hope you will donate to this important organization and will consider volunteering as well, next time you are in Puerto Rico. This is their facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/toldospamigente.pr Reach out to them to donate! They are currently looking for a vehicle to help transport materials for building roofs for those without one!  

As a kid, the one question I often dreaded was – “What does your dad do for a living?” because people’s perception of me would immediately be written on their face. The quick dismissal. I grew up though, and thankfully learned that there’s no shame in what you do for a living. I feel proud of my dad for the fact that he worked so very hard to provide for his family and give his daughters love and joy. For the janitors out there, and their daughters and sons… you matter and your voice also deserves a seat at the table. This Labor day weekend – it worked out that my interview with a Labor Union advocate would be released. This one is a critical episode in understanding why Puerto Rico got into debt, what we in the diaspora can do, and importantly for me as well – we talk about Class. It’s often seemed a missing piece of the conversation about equity and Justice. I hope you all enjoy the episode and as always – below are the links to the topics discussed. 80Grados article about the Course: https://www.80grados.net/listening-to-puerto-rico-curso-en-linea-para-concientizar-al-mundo-sobre-la-isla/ Listening to Puerto Rico Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/listeningtopuertorico/   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKy1wUzFNJo

This week I share an interview with Victor Ramirez Garcia about many of the issues affecting Puerto Rico covered in the essay he published  and we talk about housing, parking and decentralizing the government. Victor studied software engineering and later urban planning. I’m very glad I got the chance to know him and speak with him! We also learned this week about the new death toll released by George Washington University, in which an estimated 3,000 deaths occurred as a result of the Hurricane. It’s important to remember that these numbers are people, and it’s my stepdad, and someone’s grandfather and another person’s mother who died due to the incompetence and injustice we know exist. The sadness in the hearts of Puerto Ricans this week is heavy…. I wanted to take time to mention that the work done through this podcast is to elevate the voices of Puerto Ricans because in many aspects they are forgotten, pushed aside, and dehumanized. However, we see that Puerto Ricans continue to organize, publish, speak out, and engage those around them to vote. We are warriors in a long struggle and we’re not done fighting. No study can bring Justice to the tragedy that occurred on our island and to our people, but it’s a start. Only WE can fight for that and only WE will find a resolution to the question of who really deserves to be free. The next Puerto Rican Diaspora Conference happens September 14-15 in D.C. and I’ll be there – hope you can join us too: https://www.prdiasporasummit.com/ Below are the links to content mentioned in the podcast. Thank you for listening… until next week. SuperBlocks from Spain Tren Urbano: US Dept of Transportation Stats The High Cost of Parking by Donald Shoup The Built Environment: A study about why the way your environment is built affects you

For years, I’ve looked for ways to connect to my roots/mis raices… and understand who I am. After the Hurricane disconnected me from my family, and after my stepdad died shortly after, my broken heart started to imagine that some day I could come to live among my family and my people… This week, I want to share my decision to move to Boriken. I will be a Puertorriquena moving against the current, contra la corriente, back to my patria, as many others who cannot stay, who are forced into exile, have to leave. After making this decision for myself, I found an article on Repatriating Puerto Rico by a Brooklyn born artist named Yasmin Hernandez, and I knew I needed to reach out to her. In this episode we talk about the migration of Boricuas out of the island, and the local government providing incentives to stay on the island only to non-Boricuas. There’s nothing surprising about that, but there is something we can do to reverse this trend. We are a people who through oppression, and suffering, have had to find alternatives to survive, and for hundreds of years we adapt, we evolve, and we create spaces to #decolonize our island. I’ll be returning to our island to support the people who are fighting for self-determination, for their rights to live without oppression, and will continue to raise the voices of the Boricuas everywhere. This is a story that spans centuries – this is the story of a country denied a voice, denied an identity, denied their freedom for hundreds of years. Who will stand up against the strongest military power in the world, to demand that a people be given the right to self-determination? I stand in solidarity with the people of the island in saying – what is happening in Puerto Rico needs to change. As Yasmin said, there is an “untapped power” that we are now starting to see… And with over 5 million Boricuas in the Diaspora, you can use your votes to push back and demand justice for Puerto Rico. I hope you enjoy the episode… and I really look forward to joining my sisters and brothers on the island to continue fighting against those that threaten our culture, our identity, and our people. We are connected you and I #Boricua, and together we’ll move mountains… Repatriation: The Radical Concept Missing from Diaspora Relief Efforts: Yasmin Hernandez article Repatriating Boriken Blog by Yasmin Hernandez Decolonize PR – Organization called CEPA run by Melissa Rosario, a fellow Repatriator #Boriken #Boricua #PuertoRico #PublicHealth #SocialJustice #DeColonizePR    

This week we talk to George Torres, to discuss his activism and his community work in Puerto Rico. George is truly an amazing community activist. He shares interesting stories around identity, in the way that Hurricane Maria brought a shift in how Boricuas in Puerto Rico view Boricuas in the US. We also talk about protecting our food supplies, food sustainability, water sovereignty, mental health, and many other issues affecting the people of Boriken. By using his platform to raise up the issues affecting Puerto Rico, he is showing up for PR. He hopes that by helping to provide opportunities, and bridging people that are helping in the recovery, then we can work to build a better future for PR. Using a frame of capacity building, George is hoping that he can support a true #JustRecovery for Puerto Rico… one in which Boricuas themselves get to choose their future. His Advice to the Diaspora: Use your skills and experience to Help Puerto Rico and Adopt a town that needs your support. And importantly: Don’t colonize the recovery efforts by imposing your thoughts or beliefs for how things should go. If you’re interested in collaborating with him in his work, please reach out to him on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook via @UrbanJibaro The articles mentioned at the start of the episode can be found below: Donations found 11 months after they were sent to PR: CBS: Donations found rotting in Parking lot Puerto Rico Government acknowledges new death count: NYTimes Article  CBS Article Alexis Santos: JAMA article

In this week’s episode I interview two amazing women in Puerto Rico who started a Healthcare Tech company called Abartys Health … and about the impact of Hurricane Maria on the accessibility of healthcare data. Thank you Dolmarie Mendez and Lauren Casio for spending time with me! We chat about some really interesting topics such as patient outcomes, data accessibility, health portability, access to provider networks and data quality. However we also talk about what it means to be a woman in this industry and the “thick skin” that needs to be cultivated in order to push through negativity and bias. While we’re all working to end bias in our society, their message of using the negative to “create a better product” was inspiring. I’m excited to see them grow and look forward to hearing more from them in the future! At the start of the episode, I also share the following news/articles for the Diaspora – please read and share: Study released in the past week on the Death’s related to Hurricane Maria: Latino Rebels Article: Researchers Estimate 1,139 Hurricane María Excess Deaths in Puerto Rico Through December 2017 CBS Article: New study sheds light on death toll from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Syllabus: A website that provides a list of resources for teaching and learning on the debt crisis in Puerto Rico. They highlight how the crisis and solutions are impacting the lives of Puerto Ricans everywhere. Their goals: To understand how the contemporary Puerto Rican debt crisis has its roots in the colonial and capitalist relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States To show how the debt crisis is affecting the lives of millions of Puerto Ricans in the territory and the diaspora. To provide examples of Puerto Rican groups organizing against the austerity measures being imposed upon them by Washington and Wall Street. Contact them:  PRSyllabus@gmail.com or Facebook Project Leaders: Yarimar Bonilla, Marisol LeBrón, Sarah Molinari, Isabel Guzzardo Tamargo Natural Reserves in Puerto Rico: En Nuevo Dia Article in Spanish Translation to English Vietnam, Puerto Rico Documentary Remezcla Article: http://remezcla.com/lists/film/vietnam-puerto-rico-documentary-san-diego-film-festival/ Documentary Trailer: https://vimeo.com/258320930

This week’s interview is very exciting because I got to talk to Melissa M Viverito who was Speaker of the New York City council and now is working on many exciting projects for Puerto Rico and Latinos. Born and raised in Puerto Rico and a fierce defender of the island, she talks about using her platform to raise awareness, and initiate action in government so that we can elevate the voices of the Puerto Ricans on the island. We talk about the work she’s doing with the Latino Victory Fund, to increase Latino Representation in government and I immediately signed up to help on 2 campaigns in MA. It is so important to realize how our representation is needed and makes a difference. Check out the Politico Article on the Latino Victory Fund here We also about the important work with Power4PuertoRico: #Power4PuertoRico is a coalition of organizations, leaders, and advocates from across the nation working together to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria through advocacy, strategic communications, and direct mobilization. We are calling on Congress and the Administration to adopt an ambitious, new agenda that will put Puerto Rico’s economy on the road to future growth and prosperity. We are building lasting power for Puerto Rico and the diaspora. She also provides a scathing criticism on the way that the federal and local governments have addressed the needs of Puerto Ricans which I found really eloquent and important for all Americans to hear. I’m proud of Melissa and her advocacy- and hope she inspires others to raise their voice for Puerto Rico too and get involved. We have a lot of work to do! Articles mentioned in this podcast can be found below: Te Conozco Bacalao aunque Vengas Disfrazao- Phillip Arroyo Opinion Piece: https://www.univision.com/noticias/opinion/te-conozco-bacalao-aunque-vengas-disfrazao The Washington Post Article about Boricuas in Florida registering to Vote: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/07/27/daily-202-puerto-ricans-who-fled-to-florida-after-hurricane-maria-are-not-registering-to-vote/5b5a82a61b326b0207955dcb/?utm_term=.8aad5876b6ea

My American friends are shocked that the status of Puerto Rico is a controversial topic among the residents of Puerto Rico. “But of course Puerto Rico should be a state – they should join our American Family” and “It’s an injustice that Puerto Rico is treated differently, they should have the same rights as every other citizen in the US” Even Puerto Ricans say that the dialogue is done – because the people of Puerto Rico voted for statehood. But the 97% in favor of statehood were only 20% of the population that went out to vote. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/11/us/puerto-ricans-vote-on-the-question-of-statehood.html?_r=0 Other referendums have also been split but have left most on the island feeling disillusioned because in the end … nothing happens in Congress. As communities in Puerto Rico continue to lead the recovery and the discussion on how colonialism has affected them, we are all asking ourselves what the decolonization of Puerto Rico looks like… What does it mean to be free in Puerto Rico? This week we discuss the need for a Social Movement, one that’s non-partisan, and one that fully addresses what colonialism is and how it affects the psyche of Puerto Ricans. Efrain Vasquez Vera joins us to talk about their movement called MAP: Puerto Rican Movement in Action (Movimiento de Accion Puertorriquena). This is the first conversation I’ve had and hope to have many more with others on the island. We need these perspectives to shine light not just on what needs to be done to decolonize, but also how to focus and elevate the voices Puerto Ricans… rather than impose our views on the island in the way that takes away their ability to self-determination. Recently – there was a video released of the crypto-millionnaire’s meeting with locals on the island and the most impactful piece was that they stated that locals will have to accept them whether they like it or not, because it’s for their best interest. https://www.facebook.com/ABCForeignCorrespondent/videos/10155749841498295/?hc_ref=ARR7UXVVmsQd2xsitCKh9lagpHqRI2KpaBvZEC3LeRSbQ0LL3rfU_xXwyzWIkQM0exE Puerto Ricans have heard this again and again. The naked discrimination of that phrase shows us that even today… Puerto Ricans are being told they cannot choose for themselves. This is a critical public health issue because colonialism created the high poverty rates we see in Puerto Rico. Colonialism is really a macro-determinant of health, and it’s been a ignored far too long. And unless we stand behind Puerto Ricans- demanding that they be provided a forum to decolonize by negotiating the incredibly discriminatory policies that affect them, and vote in a fair and unbiased way… Puerto Ricans will continue to be colonized, de-humanized and stripped of their dignity. So I ask every American… Puerto Ricans have been waiting 120 years for you to start this dialogue… don’t let them down. Let’s pay attention to the ways that we can help bring about a true #JustRecovery and find the real meaning of #SocialJustice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L5_zWumD_g