Why this Puerto Rican will be voting For Kamala Harris

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Will Arvelo | Guest Columnist

In 2017, after Hurricane Maria had devastated the island, President Trump went to Puerto Rico and threw paper towels at its inhabitants as if to say, “this is all you are going to get”. Now another controversy reveals where he stands not just with Puerto Ricans, but with all Hispanic peoples. At his Madison Square Garden rally a few days ago, one if his speakers, Tony Hinchcliffe, described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”

To me this is not surprising, despite our uniquely close history with the United States, we have always been treated as second-class citizens by many of our fellow Americans and those that do not know our history or contributions to this great country.

For 126 years Puerto Ricans have been part of the American story. Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States in 1898 as a concession after the short-lived Spanish-American War. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship and since then they have contributed to the improvement of every aspect of American life - in business, medicine, technology, engineering, politics, military, science, and the arts. There are 3.5 million Puerto Rican on the island and over 3 million spread throughout the 50 states. Many of them live in the states that will make or break this election for either candidate. In other words, our presence cannot be denied because all Puerto Ricans over 18, based on their long ago granted citizenship, can vote.

We are a proud people and unique amongst all Americans for our love for freedom, democracy, and the free market. Most of us have a foot in American culture and another in our Spanish heritage. This informs our culture, art, music, and politics. We are fun loving, and family focused. There is no denying that we have a symbiotic relationship with the U.S. From it we have received much, and we have given much to it. In far too many cases with the ultimate sacrifice of Puerto Rican sons and daughters.

Mr. Hinchcliffe’s comments were not meant as a joke. They were made to offend us at our very core…for what we stand for and what we represent, which is a threat to him and many others that see a diverse America as an abomination. What he said about Puerto Ricans he was saying about all Hispanics, whether arriving here legally recently or those that have been here for centuries, as our Mexican American brothers and sisters have. His message to us is that we are worthless…garbage…less then…second class…and not worthy of sharing in a land built by immigrants of every stripe. What Mr. Hinchcliffe and Mr. Trump do not realize is that we have a long view of history, that we, collectively, have survived challenges that they cannot begin to even imagine, and that we grow stronger with every challenge. We also have a good sense of humor that has helped us survive the many mistreatments along the way. By the way, Hispanic Americans currently make up 1 of every 5 Americans. By 2060 we will make up 1 of every 4 Americans. We are not going anywhere but staying here to continue to build a strong, prosperous, fair, diverse, and accepting United States.

Puerto Ricans and Hispanic Americans have a lot riding on this election. Do we go with someone who throws paper towels at us and is full of darkness, divisiveness and pessimism, and speaks about Hispanics like we are all enemies and criminals? Or do we go with someone that is optimistic and inclusive and wants all Americans to thrive regardless of the color of their skin, originating culture, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, education, and skills-set?

America and Americans are defined by inclusivity and acceptance. It is what makes us unique and why we are the envy of the world. We should not turn our backs on these values. It is the reason that when I get in the voting booth, I will be proudly selecting Kamala Harris for President. I hope that all voting-age Puerto Ricans and Americans of all stripes join me in voting for a President that that reflects the best of what our nation represents, and the person (Kamala) that respects and appreciates what Puerto Ricans have contributed to the United States of America.

Will Arvelo, proudly from, Lares, Puerto Rico and Newfields, New Hampshire.

The writer is the outgoing executive director of Cross Roads House in Portsmouth, a former state economic official and former president of Great Bay Community College.

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Why this Puerto Rican will be voting For Kamala Harris

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