ipl-logo

Puerto Rico Should Be A State Essay

2718 Words11 Pages

Puerto Rico: To Be A State Or To Not Be A State, That Is The Question
Puerto Rico is one of many small islands found in the Caribbean. Numerous debates have been held on whether or not it should become the fifty-first state of the United States. There are some positive impacts correlated with this theory. However, becoming a state would make Puerto Rico lose some of its charm and culture, mess up the political structure already set up in the United States, and be unfair to all the Puerto Rican people that were horribly mistreated by the United States of America in the past. Puerto Ricans fought hard to earn the little bit of independence they have, and it would not be right to take that from them. People argue that Puerto Ricans will be better …show more content…

People hate their accents and the fact that they may not be one hundred percent efficient in the English language. Their appearance is hated because they don't fit the white beauty standard. Americans even hate their food, and the way it looks and smells. Discrimination will always be seen whether or not Puerto Rico chooses to become a state. Statehood is not the saving grace Puerto Ricans need.
The history of Puerto Rico is one that has been passed down from generation to generation. This island home and its residents are proud of who they are, and how far they have come. Puerto Rico is known for its abundant history and culture. It even used to be known as San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist) before the Spaindards discovered the surplus of gold in the rivers. The island is also known for the phenomenal cultural food that it produces. Arroz con gandules, pasteles, pernil, sorullitos, pollo guisado, bacalao, and alcapurrias are just a few examples of the splendor of dishes prepared. Tourists are more commonly attracted to the beaches and tropical weather. However, tourists will have to deal with loud music …show more content…

Puerto Rico is the island home of millions of people. Becoming a state could make Puerto Ricans lose their identity, mess up the structure of the United States, and would be extremely unjust to the numerous Puerto Ricans that were mistreated by the United States. Puerto Ricans fought to be independent, and to keep their flag. They deserve to be free, and not under the control of the United States. Puerto Ricans will be discriminated against no matter their status, so it is in their best interest to keep their culture, identity, and pride.

Works Cited
Bazail-Eimil, Eric. "Puerto Rico Inches Toward Self Determination." Reason, vol. 54, no. 8, Jan. 2023, pp. 14+. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.
Cochrane, Emily, and Patricia Mazzei. "House Passes Bill That Could Pave the Way for Puerto Rican Statehood." New York Times, 16 Dec. 2022, p. A15(L). Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, Accessed 9 Jan. 2023.
Hernandez, Jehivian. "Decolonization Through Democracy, Not Statehood, Is the Answer.." Orlando Sentinel (Online), 03/19 2021. ProQuest; SIRS Issues Researcher, Accessed 9 Jan. 2023
Regoli, Natalie. “18 Puerto Rico Statehood Pros and Cons.” ConnectUS, 16 Apr. 2019, Accessed 9 Jan. 2023
Slavin, Robert. "Statehood for Puerto Rico: If, When and What Impact?", vol. 122, no. 33851, 28 Jan. 2013, p.1., Accessed 9 Jan.

Show More
Related

  • Puerto Rico In The Late 1800s

    222 Words  | 1 Pages

    As a Puerto Rican citizen, I do not fit in to that part of our history very much. In the late 1800’s, Puerto Rico was not a U.S. territory; instead, it formed part of the Spanish empire. It wasn’t until the end of the Spanish-American war that Puerto Rico became a U.S. property. Even then (after being conquered by the U.S. in the year 1900), the common American belief was that Puerto Ricans weren’t inherently equal any more than they thought that blacks were racially equal to whites. Rather, because the American public wouldn’t consent to treating Puerto Ricans as equals or granting them citizenship, the U.S. had trouble keeping the island as an imperial possession.

    Read More

  • Research Paper On Juan Ponce De Leon

    826 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer and the first governor of Puerto Rico. According to Minster, “Juan Ponce de Leon was born in Spain, in a small village. The name of the village was Santervás de Campos which is today called Providence of Valladolid” (2017). Young Ponce de Leon “joined the war to conquer Granada, the last Moorish state on the Oberian peninsula”

    Read More

  • How Successful Was The Progressive Movement In The United States Chapter 11

    594 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many Cubans defied this policy and control strategy because they saw it as a violation of their independence, but they felt obligated for cooperation because they relied on American sugar markets. The Spanish-American War led to Puerto Rico becoming a U.S. territory. The strategy towards Puerto Rico was different from Cuba's in that it implemented initiatives aimed at "Americanizing" Puerto Rico, such as encouraging the study of American culture and teaching English in education systems. As a result of Puerto Rico's status as an unincorporated territory of the United States, residents were still considered citizens of the country but lacked the same political freedoms as those residing on the US mainland.

    Read More

  • Cultural And Cultural Beliefs Of Puerto Rican Culture And Health

    1385 Words  | 6 Pages

    Puerto Rico, an unincorporated island of the United States, have their own set of cultural beliefs. The foundation of the Puerto Rican structure is family. The word “familismo” is a Puerto Rican word that means close family connections, and it emphasizes the concern for the well-being of the family (Maria de Lourdes B. Serpa, Ed. D, 2005). Although I was born in the United States, my family is from Puerto Rico (Kay, 2018).

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Puerto Rico And The United States

    1503 Words  | 7 Pages

    Puerto Rico and the United States The debate on whether or not Puerto Rico should become a US state has been going on since 1898, after the U.S. defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war. Factors such as the country's relationship, how it might benefit the United States, and our laws, all affect the outcome. This is a complex topic, and there are many sides to it. There are numerous different opinions that people have, both in the United States and in Puerto Rico. “In November 2020, 53 percent of Puerto Ricans voted in favor of becoming a U.S. state” (“Could” 1).

    Read More

  • Puerto Rico Research Paper

    1044 Words  | 5 Pages

    How does that influence Puerto Rico's view of statehood? Who

    Read More

  • Puerto Rico Research Paper

    795 Words  | 4 Pages

    .Despite these limitations the Puerto Rican Americans have asserted themselves in their communities and actually exert political power when organized properly. In New York the population holds a swing vote status among voters on issues in the state. Puerto Rican Americans have a heavily rooted influence from the catholic religion and have added a Caribbean flair to the ceremonies such as baptism or weddings. The Spanish culture in America has its advantages and disadvantages.

    Read More

  • Ending Poem: The Struggle Of Puerto Rican Identity

    1273 Words  | 6 Pages

    In my opinion, this island has grown from where they started but are not fully ready to become an independent nation. The people may feel “whole” because they have built their culture from all of these different types of people that have taken over their island these past hundreds of years, but they still heavily lean on America’s government. Why would Puerto Rico choose to become independent anyway? People born on the island are automatically born as United States citizens and have all of the rights of a natural born, U.S. citizen. Puerto Rico is ruled by our government, has the same rights as Americans, and even use the U.S. dollar as their currency.

    Read More

  • Puerto Rico Downfall

    689 Words  | 3 Pages

    Puerto Rico becoming a state would attract several positive outcomes for Puerto Ricans’ lifestyle and future. Puerto Rico is a territory and commonwealth of the United States, making them American citizens. Although, Puerto Ricans fear that becoming a state would mean they would have to lose their culture and become the poorest state as well. Puerto Rico’s corrupt government and debt crisis have caused the island’s citizens to have a negative outlook on their future and move away to the States in hope for a better lifestyle. Due to Puerto Rico being a territory of the United States, their corrupt government and debt may affect the U.S. as well.

    Read More

  • Informative Speech On Puerto Rico

    881 Words  | 4 Pages

    Conclusion = Summary of important facts reviewed during the main points of the speech • Puerto Rico took a break from Spain in 1898 claiming some independence • United States did not hesitate to step in and kick Spain out • Years later the US and PR were engaged under the Jones Act making. No wedding date has been set. 8.

    Read More

  • Puerto Rico Should Become A State Essay

    896 Words  | 4 Pages

    Puerto is one of the Caribbean Islands it has a landscape of lush greenery. It has beautiful green mountains, waterfalls, and tropical rainforest. It is famous for its sandy beaches and coral reefs and very vulnerable to attack. Puerto Rico should become a state because it is already a US territory and an ally of the United States ,also it should become a state because Puerto Rico’s government has asked the US for it to make Puerto Rico a state numerous times. finally Puerto Rico should become a state because we can get a lot of money due to the large amount of tourist that go to the territory.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Puerto Rico

    1390 Words  | 6 Pages

    The status of Puerto Rico as a United States territory places the residents in a figurative state of limbo, and the United States should do something to make a change. Puerto Rico has barely experienced any independence throughout their years as a country, colony, and later a territory. The small island was once a colony of Spain, along with its neighbor

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Philippe Bourgois's In Search Of Respect: Selling Barrio

    1297 Words  | 6 Pages

    These things she would have prevented to do in her homeland (2003: 241). The lack of community did affect Primo’s mother despite her success as she still desired the sense of community that she would have had if she were in Puerto

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay About Jamaica

    1263 Words  | 6 Pages

    Persuasive Paper Trecell Richards 2015-11-09   Jamaica is a beautiful island with beautiful beaches, warm sunshine, delicious food and amazing people. Jamaica gained independence in 1962 from the United Kingdom; the major sectors of Jamaica’s economy include tourism, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and insurance and financial services. Jamaica is also the home of Usain Bolt, a Jamaican sprinter regarded as the fastest man ever and Bob Marley, a talented reggae singer. Jamaica is a small island with a population of approximately 2.715 million people.

    Read More

  • When I Was Puerto Rican Analysis

    866 Words  | 4 Pages

    When I Was Puerto Rican When I Was Puerto Rican is a memoir written by Esmeralda Santiago. She writes of her childhood life in Puerto Rico and how she lived in primordial conditions. Santiago paints a vivid picture of her early life which creates unforgettable memories of her childhood. The author talks about her life from her rural home in Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, and to her graduation in Harvard University.

    Read More

More about Puerto Rico Should Be A State Essay

Open Document