Thursday, July 03, 2008

A month of politically charged holidays

I grew up in a place that is highly politicized, where the choice of holiday to celebrate in July said a lot about one's position regarding Puerto Rico's political status and its relationship with the US.

You see, there's July 4th, known on the island as "U.S. Independence Day." And then there is July 25th. Also known as "Constitution Day", it commemorates the day in 1952 when the Constitution of the Commonwealth was signed. Both are official holidays. Everybody has the day off, and there are official government and political party events to either celebrate or protest.

The three main ideologies on the island are: pro-statehood, pro-commonwealth and pro-independence. The pro-statehood sympathizers privilege July 4th above July 25th. The pro-commonwealth group makes a really big deal about celebrating the 25th. The pro-independence contingent rejects both and protests US presence in Puerto Rico on those dates. Especially anathema to them is July 25th, for the date (not coincidentally) is also the anniversary of the invasion of Puerto Rico by US troops in 1898 as part of the Spanish-American war.

Add to the pot two other local holidays during the month, celebrating the birth of two famous historical figures (one of whom is identified with the pro-commonwealth cause, and another with the pro-statehood ideal) and it makes for one politically hyper charged month.

However, all that I remember now is the joy of being free from school or work on those days, and the ability to go to the beach and/or goof off. And I think most ordinary folks on the island just love their holidays and will take any days off they are given, regardless of where their political sympathies lie.

3 comments:

  1. I totally agree with that last paragraph. Happy "off" day! :)

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  2. I find learning about the cultures of other countries so fascinating. It is what inspires me to travel. This was a really interesting post and I look forward to learning more about Puerto Rico from you in future posts.

    I hope you had a lovely day off!!!

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  3. WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPPOSES YOUR RIGHT TO BE FREE!!

    Puerto Ricans, whether they are called Independents (independentistas), Patriots or Nationalists or Freemen, who desire to be free, must always know that the federal government, here in the States has no “subject matter jurisdiction” over the person, case or location and should be challenged to proof it. These are magic words to learn when in Federal Court for desiring freedom for your/our Country.

    You won’t be told this in court but: All jury members, judges, attorneys, and employees working in federal court, must reside in federal territory to legally be a federal juror or touch your case or they can be commercially sued, disbarred and financially ruined for violating your constitutional rights etc.

    Your God given right to be free is not wanted by the USA, it will oppose your desire for independence and freedom, because the Federal USA is a profit based Corporation.

    The Federal Government is a District of Columbia “Corporation”, as are all the States of the USA. What you know of as the USA, is NOT a Republic, but a multi-based Corporation acting as a Country. These Corporations were formed for the benefit of the real owners. Since June of 1933, everything since then, is under Contract law or commercial law, aka Admiralty law, to benefit your masters in power.

    The Federal Government owns Puerto Rico as an ASSET, because it is a slave colony—whether you like the idea or not. But the Federal Government takes orders from those who own and run this (Corporation) Country, but are not of this country. The International Bankers, who really own the corporations called the USA and also the Federal Reserve, will let the slaves of PR be free, only if enough real men of Boricua blood wish to be free, by reserving their rights under the Constitution. Their books will be adjusted and we will be free.

    The answer to your freedom lies in your Constitutional rights --- To win --You must always reserve your constitutional, commercial rights and know what they are and how to do so.

    A Puerto Rican without a desire for independence and/or freedom from alien control has no heart and soul of a man.

    The fact that the public does not know that we are NOT free, makes no difference, to the desire to be free. The PR that wants Statehood is a Gringito, who has no soul of a man left in his traitor's heart. Freedom is happening all over the world and yet we allow Gringitos to kill our right to be free.

    A Gringito is a non-Anglo THING, IT is not really a “person”, just like a mass murderer is more like an animal than a person, who internally is so inferior, that he desires to be what he can not be—thus Gringito means little gringo.

    The Gringito is like an Uncle Tom to blacks or a collaborator and traitor to many others. To us he/she is all three and much worst. The “It or thing” I call Gringito, is the enemy of freedom -- all thru out HUMAN history.

    We allow the Alien Invaders to kill, harm, abuse, rape, and scam us and yet the Gringito wants to give our Country away.

    This abuse must end. No man or woman is a real Man or real woman who is too scared to fight for their souls and be free. If you listen to the Gringito, you will lose your soul.

    Thru out eternity, humanity owes its freedom from slavery, ONLY TO BRAVE SOULS who fought and DIED for your right to be free.

    The fight will NOT succeed if you don't fight the Gringito enemy/traitor/collaborator at home first. He is there next door and claims he is a real man and tries to give you many excuses of why PR can't be a free Country.

    To give away your/our/my Country is not a right of alien invaders, visitors or foreigners with NO Puerto Rican Blood.

    The right to vote on THIS ISSUE should NOT be given to NON-Puerto Ricans.

    The fight for the independence of Puerto Rico is now non-violent and will be won in the hearts of real men around the World.

    The Ronbothunter,

    A proud freedom loving Puerto Rican.

    All Rights Reserved

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