The Hidden Citizenship of Puerto Ricans: Why Awareness is Lacking

According to the United States census, Puerto Rico is a de facto U.S. territory and its inhabitants are citizens of the United States. Despite this fact, many Americans remain unaware of this simple truth. This article explores why awareness of Puerto Ricans' citizenship is so lacking, and the underlying reasons behind this ignorance.

Education and Awareness: A Case of Dismal Understanding

The United States, a nation born from 13 colonies, now holds its own territories, including Puerto Rico. Despite this complicated and somewhat embarrassing reality, the American education system often fails to emphasize colonies in its curricula. This oversight suggests an overall subpar approach to U.S. history, world history, geography, and inter-ethnic and inter-cultural studies in schools.

Five Reasons for Persistent Ignorance

Geography

Puerto Rico's geographical isolation from the U.S. mainland can be a significant factor in its lack of recognition. The island, situated 1100 miles southeast of Miami, is relatively far from the continental United States. Despite this, the influence of European culture and languages in Puerto Rico is considerable. Its culture, language, and political independence from the mainland U.S. contribute to its unique identity that may prevent its recognition as an integral part of the American nation.

Culture

A significant portion of Puerto Ricans (95%) identify as Hispanic or Latino, a demographic that makes up only about 17% of the U.S. population. This stark difference highlights the cultural distinctiveness that contributes to the perception of Puerto Rico as a foreign land, despite its citizenship status.

Language

The predominant language in Puerto Rico is Spanish, spoken by around 90-95% of the population. This contrasts with the 15% of the U.S. mainland that speaks Spanish as a native language. The ideological and linguistic barriers contribute to the nuanced understanding of Puerto Rico among the American populace.

Politics

The political debates on Puerto Rico are distinct from those on the mainland. While most Puerto Ricans (50%) favor statehood, 45% support a form of commonwealth, and only 5% wish for independence, this political landscape is not as straightforward as right vs. left or democrat vs. republican. The unique political status of the territory influences perceptions and awareness.

Educational Habits and Quality

Lazy educational habits, particularly concerning geography, politics, and cultural/linguistic diversity, contribute significantly to the ignorance surrounding Puerto Rico. The decline in the overall quality of U.S. education exacerbates this issue, leading to a general lack of awareness about the island's status and its inhabitants' citizenship.

In conclusion, the persistent lack of awareness about Puerto Ricans' citizenship is a multifaceted issue rooted in geography, culture, language, politics, and educational practices. Addressing these areas can help bridge the gap in understanding and recognize the integral part of the broader American society that Puerto Rico and its people truly are.