Alberto Medina

Two years ago, U.S. citizens attacked the Capitol, committing a crime against their own government. Sixty-seven years before, Puerto Rican nationalists attacked the same building to denounce a crime —colonialism— committed by a government in which they had no meaningful rights or representation.

Americans who believe their democracy is under threat should speak clearly and honestly to the people of Puerto Rico about the state of the union and reflect on whether they can in good conscience urge Puerto Ricans to join it.

As Americans listen to the president’s address on Tuesday, they should remember that the current state of the union is undemocratic, and frankly disgraceful, so long as Puerto Rico remains a colony of the United States.

The debate over the gentrification led by an influx of wealthy Americans turns on complicated and contested issues, including housing, taxes, and economic development. But it also begs a much deeper question: whether Puerto Ricans are a nation, or merely the current tenants of a particularly attractive piece of real estate in America’s empire.

I realize I’m wading into dangerous waters. Conversations about whether and why Latinos leave, stay, and return —or don’t— to their “countries of origin” can be fraught.

Puerto Rican statehood is having its most promising political moment, and it’s still a non-starter for the United States.

El voto “Estadidad: Sí o No” es una táctica electoral del gobierno de turno y no provocará un cambio de estatus. Pero sigue siendo un ejercicio importante y valioso de la poca democracia que tenemos los puertorriqueños.

The upcoming vote on statehood is a cynical electoral ploy and it will not magically bring about a change in the Island’s status. It’s still an important and valuable exercise in what little democracy is afforded to Puerto Ricans.

Si hasta ahí estamos bien, debo convencer que la presidencia de Bernie Sanders adelantaría de manera alguna el cambio que más nos interesa, al menos, a quienes va dirigido este ensayo: la independencia de Puerto Rico.

It is truly only Sanders who speaks firmly and with moral clarity about the United States’ long history of imperialism.