THE UNTOLD TRUTH
By Rafael Martínez Alequín
The Democratic primary in Puerto Rico is seen as an historical event where average Puerto Ricans are able to cast their vote to select the party nominee for the office of President of the United States. But, they do not have the right to vote for U.S. President or members of Congress.
The Puerto Rican Democratic primary and the increase in the number of Latino voters for president of the United States has opened an opportunity to dispel the notion that Puerto Rico is a colorblind society.
Sadly, racism is as alive and well in the United States and in Puerto Rico today as it was in years gone by. Some even suggest that Puerto Rico is a mulatto society.
In a recent edition of the New York Times, Juan Manuel García Passalacqua a leading political analyst states: “On the U.S. mainland, Obama is black, but not in Puerto Rico. Here he is a mulatto and this is a mulatto society. People here are perfectly prepared to vote for someone who looks like them for president of the United States.”
I disagree with Mr. García Passalacqua's premise. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. As a child I witnessed first hand the discrimination against Black Puerto Ricans and mulattoes . They were the ones who tended the land and did the menial jobs that White Puerto Ricans would not.
When the Hilton Hotel was opened in San Juan, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the late Ernesto Ramos Antonini, was ejected from the ceremony — because he was Black! The specter of racism has always haunted Puerto Rican society. This extends to the politics of the moment.
A conversation with a friend who prefers to remain anonymous, was related to me. He received a telephone call from his mother in Puerto Rico. She told him “We will not vote for a n----r.”
Mr. José Nazario Solá, a board member of various Latino organizations in New York said: “From work and contacts with Puerto Rican social service providers in Puerto Rico, their comments clearly indicate that in Puerto Rico there exists racist attitudes that impact adversely on services to the population.”
Mr. Luis Vassallo, a manager with a company in lower Manhattan said:
“I was born and raised in El Barrio (Spanish Harlem). A Puerto Rican friend of my family told my aunt that she was always welcome in her home, but not her husband — he was Black.’”
I have visited Puerto Rico frequently. I have heard the racial epithets uttered by Puerto Ricans from all social backgrounds against darker Puerto Ricans. Their favorite innuendo is “yo no quiero ese negro aquí” (I don’t want the Blacks here)
Senator Clinton told Puerto Ricans at an event in the island, that if she becomes President she would fight for the island's right to vote directly for President of the United States. However, she “forgot” to tell them that it would require a constitutional amendment.
Meanwhile, back to the Puerto Rican primary next Sunday. According to the polls and the political pundits, Senator Clinton is the favorite to win there. However, the pundits have failed to mention that race is as big a factor in Puerto Rico as it is in the States.
54 comments:
Fully agreed....Puerto Rico is FAR from color blind...racism is a daily part of life on the island....How many times have we heard such comments as "Ese negro o esa negra" - that black man or black woman uttered when referring to someone of darker than "preferred" skin tone. In my own family who are mostly blonde blue-eyed Puerto Ricans from my mother's side would never associate with people who are darker or black for it is seem as "slumming" the sad fact is that Puerto Rico is probably far more racist than the mainland US.
I disagree, I did not see a difference in our equality until I went to Paterson, NJ. I did see it from the older family members, but to me growing up in PR was knowing that you were a mix of everything and you have a little bit of all races with you. Mind you, my mom is cafe con leche color, and I did see my grandmother's racism towards her, but that engrained in me the belief that we were all equal. To me, it is strange that it matters. I was usually given a hard time, (and still are) for saying that we can not see past color. I am still taken aback by the mere comments against Obama. I can not see him as nothing else but myself, and when you put yourself in somebody else's shoes, regardless of color, race or gender, you will begin to see equality. Walk in somebody else's shoes, you will see the difference.
How depressing. Sometimes I wonder about the HUMAN race and our overall worthiness to exist when we treat our fellow human beings in this manner.
When I was in grade school, my best friend was Puerto Rican (I'm Black) and can still remember how his white grandmother taunted his dark skinned sister and even on a few occasions her grandson for hanging out with "niggers." This also included his other darker skinned Puerto Rican friends. His mother, a Afro-Latina told us to "ignore the crazy old white lady" and was horribly embarrassed. I also used to work for the US Census and was stunned by the numbers of people in the Latino community who used to classify themselves as white when many were even darker than me!
Agreed. I am black and born in PR but raised in California. Although I speak Spanish, love my arroz con pollo, and can dance to salsa - I found it more comfortable associating with blacks and even white Americans than I did with other latinos. The sad truth is that in the Latino mind (whether Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or even Brazilian) being a dark skinned black is considered something to be ashamed of. Black latin people try hard to dilute their blackness by marrying poor "white" latinos and producing mulatos - who have a slightly better social standing. As soon as taino or mulato latinos can "pass" many consider themselves "white" as if they have somehow acheived enlightenment through skin colour. Thus to be truly black latino is to be ashamed of your African heritage - so I don't tick the Latino box anymore.
I hope someone reads this blog. I was born in the US. I am black. Recently, I had to work on a Consulting assignment at Banco Santander in PR. Here's the truth. In 5 weeks I have not seen one dark or black person in the whole bank. Whether I was in back office operations or at headquaters. In San Juan, where the businesses are, it is almost 95% white puerto ricians. That said, I never felt like I was treated any differently - like say in Boston. But it makes you wonder when all of the brown people are only working as cooks, waiters, or cabdrivers. Another thing, the Ritz Carlton in san Jaun had no dark skinned/brown/black people who interfaced with the customers. In fact, I only met one black guy, who worked at night at the front door. Late at night. Funny thing though: I talked to a Dominican cab driver who was black - very dark - and he said he felt no racism in PR.
I brought my girl-friend one day to my grandmas' house and she told me "bendito" she is too "prieta", just like my younger grandchild (my cousin).
My last boss in Puerto Rico, told me I was having problems to grow in the company because I was too dark.
Even my father has discriminate against me.
Racism is the result of lack of education. Most educated people leave the island. What you find in the island are people trying to take advantage of anything they can to escalate in the pathetic low-cost corporate PR.
I left the island forever, and I cry every single night because I would like to be with the rest of my family and good friends, but not at the expenses of professional and personal humiliation.
I joint a community that recognize their problems and deal with them.
I just returned from a business trip to Puerto Rico and, as an African-American, I clearly felt that a lot of the Puerto Rican people don't care for blacks. I felt that I was being subjected to second-class treatment in subtle ways. For example, I was ignored in many instances. I think it's sad that the Puerto Rican people cannot think progressively and embrace people of all colors. They need to get their heads out of the sand and stop being so ignorant. I would not encourage African-Americans to visit Puerto Rico.
I am a white Puerto Rican born on the Island. I am amazed that many Puerto Rican that are white are afraid to say so and when they do mullatoos have a problem with this. I have doZens of families in the USA and on the Island who are Caucasian and as reverse discrimantion from blancks on the Island and in the USA is rampant. Because We seem to be looked at crossed eyed by black Domincans and other black many white Puerto Ricans have become fearful. Why? Now in the USA in the media, Newspapers, magazines over distort the term "Hispanic" as meanihng "Race" which it is not. The Term Hispanic only means "people who speak the spanish language" it does not mean race. Wrong!!!
Most of you are probably correct, even though I have not ever been to Puerto Rico. The reason why I say this is that it is evident that most societies that have easily identified ethnic groups or races that have been enslaved, those groups are often subjected to ill treatment or out right oppression. This is what makes Puerto Rico similar to the Southern region in the US, and you can say the whole US. In both countries Blacks were enslaved. Blacks were and are oppressed to some degree in both countries to insure that Whites continue to hold some of the stature that they held during slavery. It’s sad that Puerto Rico is like this because it has a beautiful culture. It’s also funny that this is happening because most Puerto Ricans in the US (both White and Black) face some form of racial oppression from American Whites.
I wanted to also add that racial oppression is also a tool to make the oppressor feel justified in their actions. After all, "if a Black Puerto Rican is not able to function competently in a professional position, it's not because he was not given access to the same as opportunity as a White to ensure upward social mobility. The reason why he could not fulfill the requirements is because he is Black" says the racist White Puerto Rican and White American.
Anonymous:
I can tell you have not been in the island, if you are puertorican you may look white but you are not. Dont you know that we are a product of a mix between blacks, taino indians and spaniors.
You will be amazed of how many families here have one brother that looks just like you and the other one is black and have the same mother father.
I am a black puertorican born and raised in the island, and what happens is that what we consider racism is that we cant go into a place, you know what is shown in the movies.
However there is plenty discrimination, if you look at the tv and the commercials everybody is white and if you point that there is no blacks there people get upset.
There is so much racism in PR that people wont buy a black doll.
And the blacks wont marry another blacks because they say "pa' negra yo" I used to think like that until I was in the states then I realized how much racism is in PR.
Is even worst than the USA
Racism in PR is tabu, people call blacks trigueños, black is a term used when they are trying to put us down.
There is too much ignorance regarding racism in PR, they can make a racist joke and you cant feel offended because they say is a joke, they just dont have that mentality because we all think basically the same.
You see people who are mixed (you know light sking and black people hair) and dont you dare call them blacks, they to a beauty salon and they dont go to get a relaxer they say they are going to have a conditioner. I love my island but that type of behavior is unacceptable.
Or didnt you see the grandson of Bobby Capo on TV, white and blonde, that is why we say "Y tu abuela donde esta? because his grandfather was black.
However if you look at our culture, is a culture that has been mostly create by black.
Example who was one of the founders of the Puertorican Culture Institute? Ramos Antonini, who was the founder of "La Filarmonica"? Ramos Antonini, who was the Who was the Founder of the
School called "La Libre de Musica"
Ramos Antonini, how Ironic a black man, and that last name Antonini, doesnt sound from here, see the mix anonymous??? and there are plenty of Couvertier (french)
Antonetty (italian) and most of the people who carry those last names are blacks.
Rafael Hernandez one of our biggest compositor, black man. However when they make a show they play his music but they dont show his picture, that is called racism.
In PR been black is considered a bad thing, havent you heard when people say, "she/he is black but very pretty or a very good person"
If you say in PR that is a racist comment they will say,that is not racist.
Still think PR is not racist??
How is it that in the Miss Universe pageant, a pageant that has over 30 yrs ,and in PR there were no black candidates, we finally have a black queen, and they barely promoted her.
Still think PR is not racist, I heard once on the radio show, a guy responding this to the following question:
Shaquille is coming to play basket ball in PR with his team are you going?
And he said, what for? To pick up bananas from the players?
And they started calling him monkey and you know what happened? nothing nobody complained.
Who created the co payment for health insurance in PR , Barbosa a Black man.
Who was one of the co- founders of the Democratic Popular Party, Ramos Antonini a black man!!!
Bomba y Plena and african rythm, if you are puertorican we are mulatos yes because we are not a pure race, people in PR try to denie it but is the truth. Any more dudes call El Boricuazo. LOL
Honestly I live in PR and moreno(nigga or black person) or morena (the female version) is a term of endearment most of the time. I am a light skinned puerto rican my mother is super dark and my father a cuban born man is very brown. Dont give me crap about this either its true. My sisters are darker than I or my brother who is darker then me. I genetics are so intermingled with that of spainard(who were white) africans,and the native taiinos that its pretty much a genetic lottery. I am white with green eyes like my grandfather. Racism exists everywhere of course but in PR its not as bad as the U.S or Germany or anywhere in Europe for that fact. Its like the black people who hate other black people Puerto ricans were slaves as well and taught to feel that they were less if colored these things are passed down sometimes but very rarely. If you doubt me than look up the true history of puerto rico,cuba, and the other carribean islands. Im puerto rican and cuban my daughter is that plus dominican Im white my sisters are black my grandmother was black learn your facts and dont just assume S!?t. Racism is alive here but you could spend your life here and never see it. In america ive been beaten, humiliated, and called names for my ethnicty.
oh and by the way there are no queens or kings in puerto rico. those types of comments are just plain stupid. You losers should try learning and not assuming. No radio station in the US would let people call dark skinned people monkeys they would get fined and most likely fired. That is some really dumbass crap. When you lie like that its called propaganda. Like hitler you F/ck...
"How is it that in the Miss Universe pageant, a pageant that has over 30 yrs ,and in PR there were no black candidates, we finally have a black queen, and they barely promoted her."
Its a US competition. Not in PR. If she made it to miss universe than ifso facto she already won in PR clown.
Anonymous, I think you need to go back and read my posts. First of all the pageant I was talking about the pageant here in PR, and let me tell you more, PR competes in Miss Universe, you moron!!
Second, the racist comment on the radio was in a Puerto Rico radio station, and the stupid show is still on the air. There is racism in PR deal with it!!
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well im Dominican and im not dark but im not light and to tell the truth all latino cultures are some what in some way racist i didnt really deal with it much but i watch other people get looked down on and people would always say mami your so pretty even though your dark and it never bothered me till one day i watch my cousin get picked on for being darker with short hair it made me up set me and my mom was planning on moving to puerto rico but i really dont want to anymore because of this every place has racism but it's never confronted in latino culture its always brushed off or just tooking in as its just a joke or the way it is i was told at a young age never date a black guy keep it pure by my grandmother and i taught it was normal till i went to middle school and got confronted for my racist mentality because i grew up thinking it was okay it's sad but it's really in all ways just how it is you can either take it in or get upset over it but it won't stop till peoples train of taught changes and it hard sense its been taught sense childhood and is embedded in the culture because it's been taught for so long
Well looks like you have an issue yourself. If you are not dark and not light, then what are you??
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Don't really matter to blacks in the states, because we travel to other destinations for enjoyment. Once the spanish leave their homelands and come to states, they're considered 2nd class citizens with the blacks, and in some cases, below, as in illegal aliens, so it does'nt matter in the scheme of things. When the spanish visit some parts of Africa, they too are despised. So it's all ignorant! I'm a vet, and I had many puerto rican and mexican friends as well as friends from trinidad and other places. So there's enough nice people as well as ignorant people to make up for it. We shall be judged soon. So. once again, it does'nt matter
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A common phrase in Puerto Rico: "Mija, hay que mejorar la raza..."
Have you ever heard about "Los Guaynabitos"? Guaynabo is a half rural, half metropolitan city, a few miles from San Juan. Many of the most expensive private schools are located here. A typical "Guaynabito" is a fair skinned puertorrican with anglophone, or exotic surnames (e.g. Fortuño, Roselló etc.). Needless to say, Guaynabo dwellers from the rural part of the city are not referred to as "Guaynabitos". Most of them are working class mulattos.
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For those Puerto Ricans who feel that Puerto Ricans of a darker pursuation are "inferior" to them,then you must have no faith in God because God created us all. Or, God is not perfect because he made people of darker skin. Be VERY careful who you discriminate against. Remember, God is watching.
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Sadly, racism is as alive and well in the United States and in Puerto Rico today as it was in years gone by. Some even suggest that Puerto Rico is a mulatto society.
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