Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tional cooking) pull in not just tourists but also a newly created yuppie class of American-
educated 30-somethings enjoying their relative prosperity.
LIVING WITH UNCLE SAM
Puerto Rico's political status inspires a curious mix of guarded ambivalence and
grudging acceptance. For many, the idea of living with Uncle Sam has become more
a habit than a passion. Suspended constitutionally between full-blown US state and
sovereign independent nation, the island's population remains in a curious state of
limbo. It seems as if the people can't decide what they want their country to be. Last
put to the vote in 1998, the advocates of statehood were narrowly defeated by sup-
porters of the existing status quo, ie a commonwealth or unincorporated dependent
territory of the United States. The various independence parties, meanwhile, continue
to come in a distant third. In April of 2010 a presidential commission sought to raise
the issue again, though the lousy economy has been the island's main political focus.
Triggered historically by the Grito de Lares in 1868 and reignited briefly in the
1950s, the independence issue has long struggled to gain a critical mass. Comprom-
ise is invariably touted as a more desirable modern option. Cemented in the 1952
Constitution Act, the current relationship between Puerto Rico and the US was
largely the work of iconic national governor Luís Muñoz Marín. A prophetic demo-
crat, Muñoz believed that to push for political independence from the Americans was
a folly akin to economic suicide. Steering a fine line between a free-thinking com-
monwealth and obedient colonial lapdog during the '50s and '60s, Muñoz success-
fully lifted the island out of its economic coma. He also professed to have safe-
guarded Puerto Rico's cultural identity and political 'freedom' for future generations.
It's a sentiment with which many would concur. While few Puerto Ricans play the
out-and-out nationalist card these days, most uphold an unspoken cultural resistance
toward their neighbors in the north. Ubiquitous shopping malls and Burger Kings
aside, the proud
boricuas
have consistently resisted assimilating into mainstream US
culture. From the Spanish language to the brassy music to the way they over-enthusi-
astically drive their cars - patriotic islanders have always been Puerto Rican first and
American a distant second. It's a cultural paradigm that looks set to continue for
some time yet.
