Pseudo-roast-comedian Tony Hinchcliffe compared Puerto Rico to a “floating island of garbage”. Let's see Harris and Trump's reactions alike
Former President Donald Trump and pseudo-comedian Tony Hinchcliffe
If the joke is bad, it doesn't
work. However, you may look at it, it's useless. That is precisely what is
happening in this electoral race in the United States.
The
worst thing is not what pseudo-roast-comedian Tony Hinchcliffe did on Saturday
when he compared
Puerto Rico to a “floating island of garbage.” The worst thing has been the
response from both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They both took advantage of
it, at the expense of us, Puerto Ricans.
Trump first denied any wrongdoing, minimizing any effect and saying it was nothing, up to the extent that he saw the anger and opposition of the voters. Some of his pundits – [such as Gleen Greenwald] - have disregarded this as another media hoax, or a simple pretext to go after his Republican candidate.
Yesterday Trump just released another video where
you can see blonde, White people, all looking like Florida natives, playing
salsa and pretending to dance, strangely moving uncoordinated side-to-side on
some boats, unlike our typical Caribbean rhythm, waving the American flags, as
if with that he bought into the Puerto Rican sentiment.
Trump
knows that he might well convince many, because, let’s face it, there are many
ignorant people. That cannot be denied. But the video itself is another mockery
on his part. It's saying to our faces: “I don't care, let's dance”.
I
know we have over six million Boricuas living on the mainland. But that is also
proof of American failed politics over this Caribbean colony. I know
celebrities like Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, and others publicly criticized the
so-called comedian Hinchcliffe's remarks as well as Trump’s response,
highlighting them as evidence of underlying disdain toward our communities. But
the issue at large here is much more than just that. Its colonialism in its
most blatant and shameful display. That is to say that since we are a colony,
we mean nothing to them.
We
all Puerto Ricans on the Island and abroad feel frustrated by Trump’s
historically dismissive attitudes, especially recalling his administration’s
handling of Hurricane Maria. I feel humiliated. It is incredibly painful to see
something so dismissive and hurtful towards my people, brushed off like it
doesn’t matter, without acknowledgment. But is more than saying that. I was
there. I lived the aftermath.
I
outlived the despair and destruction. I saw death head-on and confronted the
local corrupt politician’s mismanagement of that catastrophe. I saw the
destruction. I went to press conferences back then and covered day and night
what happened on the only radio network that remained on the air, Wapa Radio.
So, I know what happened. And for that experience, I know these comments may
influence Puerto Rican voters in critical states like Florida and Pennsylvania,
where large Puerto Rican communities could impact the election outcome. But we
must see behind that.
All
the media establishment can criticize Trump, but as a Puerto Rican, I must also
see the other side of the equation. The Democrats are no saints. After all,
none of them are Boricuas. At least, not the majority. Not all of them feel and
understand how we feel, how sick and tired we are of this treatment from
Americans.
As a
fellow journalist, the respected Julio
Ricardo Varela put it, “Puerto Ricans have heard these kinds of excuses and
apologies before”. I am Puerto Rican, and I also am tired, as Julio said.
For
that reason, I stress that what Kamala Harris did should also put us on alert.
She quickly defended the Puerto Ricans, which we all must applaud. Yet, it was
the least she could do, being herself considered a minority. She must know how
this felt, but more than that, as a candidate she needs even the smallest vote.
She then pulled out a list of promises to help our local economy. Beautiful.
Great. Positive.
The
underlying problem is that she, just as Trump does, and as both Democrats and
Republicans have done in the past, is using us. Harris wants and desperately
needs the Boricua votes. So, that’s an undeniable part of her response, even
though I recognized she knows our struggles and needs, better than Trump.
What
lies latent in everything is us, Puerto Ricans is what’s next? Offended again.
Humiliated again. Once again harassed by the Americans who come to violate our
beings. Because that's what it's about. The Almighty-powered Americans come to
violate our peace, our space, our being. As a colonial power, they dominated
and did whatever they wanted with their colony. Enough already!
Let
me remind them that we are almost nine million Boricuas on the Island and the
mainland. In the decisive states, specifically, we are over 450,000 in
Pennsylvania, over 100,000 in North Carolina, 65,000 in Wisconsin, 55,000 in
Michigan, over 1 million in New York, and another 1.2 million on Florida, and
counting. We can make a difference.
More
than the insults that undermine Puerto Rican historic contributions, more than
the politics held by both Republicans and Democrats, the underlying issue here
is the big elephant in the middle of the room that no one wants to acknowledge.
And it is the injustice of being a colony in the 21st century—the oldest colony
in the world. Yes, it is right under your noses and is being held captive by
Americans. Here on the Island, we demand respect. What are you going to do
about it?