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I literally just had a WTF moment followed by a “good for them.”
Gothamist is reporting that Puerto Rico has voted to move forward in becoming the 51st state. Puerto Ricans answered a two-part referendum yesterday asking if they wanted to change their overall status with the United States and which status did they want to claim. According to the Associated Press “Nearly 54 percent, or 922,374 people, sought to change it, while 46 percent, or 786,749 people, favored the status quo.” After which, 61 percent voted for statehood. The Washington Post is reporting that this is the fourth time the island has voted to change their status with the U.S. and after 114 years of being known as a territory of the U.S. it seems that Puerto Ricans want the full on benefits of being an actual state within the union.
Of course all of this would have be approved by Congress, but I think it’s neat that Puerto Rico has discussions, an actual movement going on (voting on the issue) and seems to be making plans to move forward. Meanwhile, here in Washington, D.C. we struggle. Sure we are making noise, but not enough. Sure we are protesting, interrupting traffic along Capitol Hill, but it seems futile right now. It’s not a serious movement. I’m not sure why that is. I do know that some feel (via discussions on social media and on the social scene) that a few of our corrupt politicians (past and present) may have spoiled it; leaving a bad taste or a smell too trite for those on the Hill that hold the District’s fate in their hands. No one on the federal level will look our way when it comes to statehood, let alone VOTING RIGHTS. Yet, The Washington Post noticed that President Obama and Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney BOTH acknowledged Puerto Rico’s desire to become a state and would respect their decision. Meanwhile, a rewind back to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, D.C. delegates were shut out from speaking, especially on the issue of voting rights and statehood. Our voice was silenced, yet last night The District of Columbia delivered our three electoral votes towards the Democratic incumbent.
What the fuck EFF!?!?!?!?!
I’m happy about President Obama’s re-election because there are other social issues that I have confidence in that he can deliver. However, I am perplexed as to how, Puerto Rico can get support. Again, I know Congress still has to approve, but it feels like Puerto Rico is on the move. Ok, Yes I know in 2009 D.C.’s Voting Rights Act Bill passed the Senate. But it’s the damn House that won’t budge. What does the HOUSE have against us? Why are we being shitted on, especially when we play host city or surrogate city to politicians and their staff that only show us May-December “love,” and then return to their home cities when their time is up? Why do we continue to go face down and ass up with this issue? Is it because we genuinely don’t know effective ways to let our voices be heard? Is it because we aren’t sure if we only want voting rights or if we want to become a full on state? Is it because we need to do some in-house cleaning before presenting ourselves to the federal watchdogs?
Whatever it is, we got work to do D.C. … serious work.
In their open letter to President Obama today, the folks over at DCist sum things up nicely.
Happy Post Election Day!
Mahoganie: Musings East of the Anacostia River 
Posted on November 7, 2012
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