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U.S. progressive friends, that tweet you’re sending on Puerto Rico is well intentioned. But you& #39;re hurting progressives on the island. A thread 
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There’s an entire ecosystem of Puerto Rican grassroots organizations, academics, workers, writers, artists, etc. who have grappled with equity, social justice, undoing racism, and the island’s relationship with the U.S. for a long time.
You stepping into this moment demanding “now do Puerto Rico” statehood is not helpful. It reinforces an imperial mindset -- deciding for us -- and it erases the work, struggle and thought leadership of an entire people.
An estimated 46 percent of Puerto Ricans support statehood, as is their right. But most others do not. Moreover, the power structures in PR pushing statehood are analogous to the right wing in the U.S.
A quick dive into some terrible acts by the statehooders in power/the Puerto Rican right wing this week:
Just last week, a scandal broke out when a right-wing radio personality said the N word on air. Journalists like @julito77 were on this. https://www.latinorebels.com/2020/06/17/elazoteclip/">https://www.latinorebels.com/2020/06/1...
The statehood party (PNP), which holds both chambers of the legislature, passed a resolution defending him as someone who stands up for “truth.” #Echobox=1592877862">https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/lacamaraapruebamocionparareconoceraluisdavilacolon-2577451/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3NT-HhGF9aLecJAyIjLqeDF7dlRfC2ctaGgGl8A6yOHfZWPdsBp1ZabMg #Echobox=1592877862">https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/...
After defending this broadcaster who used the N word, and insisting that the N word remain on the Senate record, statehooders then equated their support for the broadcaster as equivalent to ACTING LIKE ROSA PARKS. No joke.
This is just one snapshot of one event this week; we won’t cover the richness of Puerto Rican struggle and resistance over Twitter.
But it’s important to know that the statehood movement tends to be conservative when it comes to LGBTQ rights, women’s equality, the rights of immigrants, energy, and education. Their leaders certainly are.
I don& #39;t fault any Puerto Rican for supporting statehood. I get it. Point is, 1) *they* should get to decide and 2) Their party and movement are unacceptably conservative; they put women, the LGBTQ community, POC in danger.
If you& #39;re a progressive in the U.S., before throwing your support to statehood for Puerto Rico, you need to think about the dynamics and values behind the statehood power structure, and the fact that your support helps them push right-wing ideologies.
Blindly supporting statehood positions you in opposition to local resistance. You should also think carefully before deciding on political status on behalf of Puerto Ricans. (Don’t do it.)
More on the discriminatory civil code the pro-statehood government just passed into law: https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN22R3EH">https://mobile.reuters.com/article/a...
Our resistance work is woefully underfunded. Still, there’s incredible work happening against the grain that you can support and uplift. @tsalud @ColeFeminista @FrenteAuditoria @OtroAcuerdo @diasporaresiste.
In the states a number of us are using our platforms to organize for a more just and equitable approach to PR that respects the island’s will. Here’s our blueprint in California: https://www.puertoricansinaction.com/congressionalcampaign">https://www.puertoricansinaction.com/congressi...
