Governor's Mansion - La Fortaleza
I hate to say it but, I TOLD YOU SO! As a Puerto Rican activist and frequent visitor to members of the U.S. Congress, I’ve been expressing my concern that my legal Hispanic (Puerto Rican) community would pay the price for the anti-immigration sentiment still rampant in in our nation. I have begged Congressional Representatives of Puerto Rican descent to focus more on educating how we Puerto Ricans are different than every other Hispanic nation because of our legal citizenship immediately granted upon our birth.
Because they’re still not listening – and are continuing to play both sides of the fence for their own gain – Marc Anthony, a NEWYORICAN like me, is the latest victim of misguided bias and predjudice by his fellow Americans because he sang “God Bless America” at the MLB All-Star game.
In Puerto Rico, the American flag is flown right next to the flag of Puerto Rico all around the island, just like is customary to do at U.S. state capitol buildings nationwide. Further, both flags are ALWAYS visible at the Governor’s mansion (La Fortaleza, pictured here) in San Juan because we are proud to be a part of the United States, even if our fellow citizens on the mainland presume sometimes that we must be illegal. We are not. We are as American as YOU.
My Puerto Rican community has tried for so long to play nice with the most prominent national Hispanic advocacy organizations – obsessed with the immigration issue – who continue to do absolutely nothing to advocate for Puerto Rico’s issues. Enough is enough, mi gente. One of our most talented and patriotic Boricuas has now come under attack.
It is time for Puerto Ricans to more boldly come together to advocate for our issues and our people, even if that means separating from the collective body of Hispanic organizations who clearly care so little about our island and our people. 
No offense to my other Latino brothers and sisters but, hey? Where you ‘been? Puerto Rico and we Boricuas are getting our ass kicked and you guys are just watching from the sidelines. In the Barrio I come from, that ain’t cool. Please send us a sign that we matter to you. Otherwise, we’ll have no choice but to do our own thing without you.  NEWYORICANGIRL