I was raised to be proud of my culture, to say Puerto Rican until my lungs give out. From the States, watching the island, and being proud of an entirely different flag.

Puerto Rico is always on my mind, including the problems the United States has caused. I’ve talked to anyone who’ll listen, yet the response I receive the most is how “hard” and “difficult” it is to keep my island alive. When people are taken out of homes that were lived in for generations, the response is, “That’s horrible. Wish there was an easy fix.” So because I cannot find a way to de-colonize Puerto Rico, it doesn’t get talked about.

I disagree. In fact, we must talk more about the modern-day colonization of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is an American territory, meaning that P.R. lacks representation in either the federal government or the electoral college, but is fully under its control. Puerto Ricans have to deal with whatever the United States wants to do, but with no way or fight against it.

Specifically, Puerto Ricans are unable to oppose Act 22. Act 22, also known as The Individual Investor Act, offers tax exemptions to buyers in the real estate market in Puerto Rico to encourage them to invest in homes and property. Companies can purchase property that Puerto Ricans already occupy and give them a 30-day notice to move out quickly, even if they’ve lived there for generations.

These big corporations are not only gentrifying Puerto Rican neighborhoods, but also altering the land.

Tourism in P.R. is a huge market. In 2022, $8.9 billion was made by travel and tourism in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the resorts are building pools and walls on the beaches, which is illegal since all beaches are public property in P.R.

By building there, not only are people being blocked from public beaches, but the environment is being impacted as well. When constructions for pools were being built, one of the endangered hawksbill sea turtles was forced to nest their eggs on the construction sites that were covering the beaches. These beaches should not be built on. The beaches are public property, habitats for animals, and are not safe for construction in general. In 2017, it was found on one of the beaches that is being built on Los Almendros beach. 50% of the beach was gone after Hurricane Maria.

People and companies will try to make this issue seem good for the island. That they are helping Puerto Rico’s economy through tourism. That is incorrect. Puerto Rico’s economy is still damaged, and has been worsened by these big resorts and real estate companies taking land. These rental places are around 2,500$ a month, but the average Puerto Rican household makes less than 1,800$ monthly.  These companies are not helping Puerto Rico, they’re keeping Puerto Ricans in poverty.

Puerto Rico isn’t a destination for your cruise or a way to get cheap and profitable property without caring for the original residents. Puerto Rico isn’t a place where you can destroy their beaches. Puerto Rico is an island full of beautiful sights, cultures, and people. Do not let Puerto Rico’s issues be ignored.

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s difficult to discuss, save it by talking about it.

By building there, not only are people being blocked from public beaches, but the environment is being impacted as well. When constructions for pools were being built, one of the endangered hawksbill sea turtles was forced to nest their eggs on the construction sites that were covering the beaches. These beaches should not be built on. The beaches are public property, habitats for animals, and are not safe for construction in general. In 2017, it was found on one of the beaches that is being built on Los Almendros beach. 50% of the beach was gone after Hurricane Maria.

People and companies will try to make this issue seem good for the island. That they are helping Puerto Rico’s economy through tourism. That is incorrect. Puerto Rico’s economy is still damaged, and has been worsened by these big resorts and real estate companies taking land. These rental places are around 2,500$ a month, but the average Puerto Rican household makes less than 1,800$ monthly.  These companies are not helping Puerto Rico, they’re keeping Puerto Ricans in poverty.

Puerto Rico isn’t a destination for your cruise or a way to get cheap and profitable property without caring for the original residents. Puerto Rico isn’t a place where you can destroy their beaches. Puerto Rico is an island full of beautiful sights, cultures, and people. Do not let Puerto Rico’s issues be ignored.

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s difficult to discuss, save it by talking about it.