"We ask for tolerance"

                 This past week my class had the opportunity to present a research project in a general studies panel. It was specifically about the different perspectives other countries, cultures and places had about Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans. My group decided to concentrate on the views of United States Americans and Spaniards specifically on the topics of tourism, culture (food and people), politics and economy. We decided to contrast what the United States Americans think and show to know as opposed to Spain’s knowledge and point of view. We were surprised to see that Spain actually stays up to date on current events, problems and such happening in the island as opposed to United States American which showed that other than knowing we are a colony (sometimes not even that) of the United States, they barely knew anything more. I think they know we are located in the Caribbean but I might be mistaken.

            We were not the only group that presented on the United States American point of view on Puerto Rico. In fact we were the only ones that presented a European perspective. Unfortunately we weren’t the only group that concluded that United States Americans have very little knowledge of our culture nor does it seem they want to learn. Two different groups found over three websited dedicated to the debate on why we as a culture and people should be “exterminated” as if we were animals, went as far as to say we are “incapable of learning because we are inbreeds”. There are articles by United States Americans stating this very thing only in a more diplomatic format. We can fight your fights but we don’t deserve your respect? No. The United States has us in shackles and abandoned, let us free.

     In conclusion, I learned a lot about what ultimately is the United States American perspective on my island and culture. I was not impressed and was very disappointed. However Spaniards made me proud to be half Spanish by my mother's side of the family. They demonstrate a deeper understanding of our culture that to be honest the United States American will never have as long as they do not see us as equals and maybe not even then because as a commenter stated "We have the same blood coursing through our veins and our history is forever one."