As the title for this post may show, I am becoming more annoyed each day hearing the media in Puerto Rico describe it as a pais, the spanish word for country. The origins of this mistake can be traced probably back to when the constitution was adopted, when local leaders took advantage of the ignorance of the world, and described the status differently, according to whom they were addresing. For example, to the United Nations and of course Congress, we were still a territory subject to Congress. Then to the people, they referred to Puerto Rico as a country, which it is not. Now before you start rambling and leaving hate comments, stop and analyze. If Puerto Rico were a pais, the status would NOT be an issue, duh. We would be independent. Now, I am not saying culturally we are not a nation, because we are, but not politically, legally or for practical purposes. What are we then? A territory, as we are seen under the international community and for all legal purposes which define life in the territory.
So why do we still use the term? I have no idea, apparently in Puerto Rico, if you repeat something that is false long enough, it will be seen as a reality. I grew tired of that, and will try to open people’s eyes, we are not a country. What does this mean? That prases like…
Me voy fuera del pais….
Las carreteras del pais…
Crisis fiscal del país…
ARE ALL WRONG!!! What is even more incredible, all media outlets use it! Now that’s what I call responsible journalism…NOT!
It’s time to face reality, and facts as they are. Now you may be wondering, why I suddenly write this? Well it is the climatic moment of months of realizing what we are speaking and what reality is. For example, not long ago I was reading a first grade book for social studies, that is used in schools of Puerto Rico, and it said: “Puerto Rico es un país asociado a los Estados Unidos” translated it means Puerto Rico is a country associated with the United States. Now this could not be further from the truth. I mean, hello, are you aware of reality or do you simply choose to ignore it? I went to see the author, and guess who it was? Ricardo Alegria, now that figures. Apparently, they are basically brainwashing everyone since we start school into believing that we are a country, when we are not. If that were not enough, if you go to the Puerto Rico State Department website,(www.estado.gobierno.pr, which has a design from the 1300s) it refers to the archipelago in that same manner. Why try to hide the truth from people? Political purposes of course, but I am done with that. I am tired of people conforming to what they’re told and not analyzing things.
A new administration has been sworn in, one which I hope fixes this. In the meantime I will write to every media outlet denouncing their mistakes, and huge irresponsibility by allowing such a huge blunder to be present in every report. I urge you to join me, simply go to their websites, and try to write at least once a month. When they become annoyed, either they will correct the mistake, or try to defend the use of the term, in which case I will be surprised, but delighted, as I welcome any attempt to defend the use of the word. This is not a matter of what is your ideology, but rather of reality, and whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, either way, it is still reality.
So join me, I know it may be hard, and we are used to doing otherwise, but use alternate terms, so far I can come up with two:
Territory
Archipelago (Yes, we are more than one island)
or just use Puerto Rico.
