Harry Franqui-Rivera

As for heroes, they may not be Hernández’s heroes, but they are exactly that to their relatives, friends, and the people in their communities. And they are Puerto Rico.

Wanting to be independent (as an individual, nation, or country) is the most natural thing in the world. But is it economically or politically viable?

I offer the following as a historian and political analyst and not seeking to promote whatever solution to the Puerto Rican status issue.

Mead can write this racist garbage because academia remains a very racist and white-dominated place.

The “canceling Latino culture” argument is so irrational, it’s sad.

He was an ardent believer of the racial tenets of the moment and in particular, that “civilized nations” should act as protectors of “barbarous” ones.

A lost memory from college resurfaced during a particular scene. How to forget that in Puerto Rico we often hear “como puta de caserío” for so many things, and from people who could not name a single person from the projects.

I’m writing a very personal narrative of what I have gathered so far from my relatives and friends because it is a way of dealing with the anxiety of not being there with them in times of peril.

A date that defines the history of a modern colony.

I have never written about this incident for many reasons.

The calls are heartbreaking.

Just stating the obvious.

Puerto Ricans do matter—in the city, in the state, and anywhere they can be found.

It’s complicated.

As you read this, please note that I’m not condemning Toya Graham, the woman seen in a viral video smacking her 16-year old son after she spotted him rioting in Baltimore. Instead, I’m condemning a system of oppression that colonizes us to the point that we will brutalize our children to keep them safe from […]

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this piece appeared on the author’s blog. Harry has since expanded on it, given recent news pieces. In addition, all photos listed here are part of the public domain. According to the latest articles on Puerto Rico making the rounds in the U.S. mainstream media in the last months, Puerto […]

With a speech full of ill-intentioned references to Nazi Germany and World War II, Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress earlier this week. Meanwhile, President Obama outplayed Netanyahu by having a telephone conference with the representatives of the other five major powers (Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany) negotiating a peaceful resolution with Iran. Netanyahu has a […]

I didn’t watch the Oscars last night (untouched by the agony of one of longest events known to humankind), but I still woke up to the Sean Penn “green card” controversy. By now, you know what happened. Ha! Funny! Isn’t it? Many didn’t think so, and social media soon exploded. Was Penn racist? I don’t […]

In 1972, President Nixon began a process to normalize relations with communist China. In his own stumbling-into-stuff-way, President Reagan did the same with the Soviets in the 1980s. Both countries were powerful and in a position to really challenge the United State. When all these changes happened, having two Republican presidents reach out to Cold […]

This past Saturday I joined thousands and thousands of people from all colors, races, ethnicities, religions and ages for the New York City edition of the “Millions March.” As most of you know, the event was part of simultaneous marches and demonstrations throughout the U.S., with the main event held in Washington, D.C. Racism, police […]

I write this response not looking to antagonize anyone, for I mostly agree with Luis Gallardo Rivera’s “Why Statehood Is Bad for Puerto Rico” essay. Division and bickering among us will accomplish nothing. I also write this response to not favor any specific political solution to Puerto Rico’s colonial situation. I favor decolonizing the island […]