The island of Puerto Rico does not have any national markers

The island of Puerto Rico does not have any national markers A territory without its own national marker, be it a flag, an army, a post office, or a currency, is not a nation or a pais (country). Thus the islanders of Puerto Rico can be called Puerto Ricans by the mere technicality of being born there (and, of course, the lineage of these sons are also technically called Puerto Ricans) or by embracing the island as their own home (as done by such well known personality as Ponce de Leon) . However, the islanders can have claim only to one nationality at this time. And, being that Puerto Rico is not a pais, Puerto Ricans are not Puerto Ricans by nationality. By the action of the United States Congress, the people of Puerto Rico live in an unincorporated territory; and they are American citizens and, as such, they are American nationals albeit at the mercy of Washington’s dictate. As the island is not an estado (state), and is not libre (free), and is not asociado (associated) the populace does not have a sense of self-identification. Of course, it could be argued that Puerto Rico is a hybrid State, that is, is not like the other fifty States and is not a Territory. Many legal decisions coming from the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Supreme Court tend to identify Puerto Rico as a State for varied purposes to include application of the three-judge provision of 28 U.S.C. 1253 (see 416 U.S. 663 Calero-Toledo v. Pearson Yacht Leasing Co). However, the controversy as to whether Puerto Rico is like a State or just a mere unincorporated territory continues unabated being that Puerto Rico is not officially a State. The insular politicians (those that want to maintain their own power), in complicity with some powerful backers in the Hill, have done substantial damage to the political status of the island. It is one of the confirming symptoms of the prolonged albeit mostly benevolent colonization that those who thrived financially or wielded great power under the less than fully self-governing status develop elaborate theories to justify the continuation of the present status. When Congress decided to provide the island the status of Commonwealth in 1952, it only provided for limited autonomy to include the ability for the people to elect the insular governor. That later status was a step forward and with the expectancy that soon after the island would receive an upgrade to incorporated territory.

Instability and a sense of permanence are significant factors in limiting the economical progress for some Puerto Ricans

Instability and a sense of permanence are significant factors in limiting the economical progress for some Puerto Ricans Somehow, there is a substantial number of Puerto Rican poor who suffers from much instability. And, this translate to a disconnect from a sense of permanence in a given community. He suffers because he is deprived of the skills that are essential in becoming successful in our society. He suffers still more from an identity disaster. And, it is quite likely that the identity confusion is the main dynamic behind his migratory pattern and, as a consequence, his inability to stay put in a given community. Thus there is an identity confusion which most likely is the driving force in the migratory pattern of a significant number of poor Puerto Ricans. And, Why is the migratory pattern a tremendous influence in keeping a group of native Americans in the fringes of society?

Whites have struggled in the past Historically, whites (European stock) have been, culturally and scientifically, behind other racial groups albeit during the past few centuries they have gained a significant advantage, but some subgroups are still struggling It is precisely the migratory pattern affecting a substantial number of Puerto Ricans (mainly poor) that needs to be studied very closely in order to make a reasonable consensus as to why a subgroup of Puerto Ricans are not assimilating readily into the mainstream of the American society. For sure, most Puerto Ricans are white (pg.808 The New Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary,1987) but a statistically significant subgroup appears to fall behind other ethnic groups. Surely, you could be white and still be considered vastly inferior than other ethnic groups and have obstacles thrown your way. This was something experienced by Italians arriving to this continent during the latter half of the 19th and over a quarter of the 20th Centuries. John Higman (Strangers in the Land. Pattern of American Nativism, 1860-1925, p.65), quotes the views of a New York gentleman (1830’s):”The lowest Irish are far above the level of these creatures [Italians].” Of course, being white does not give an individual an exclusive advantage economically. As a matter of fact, in the past Whites have been behind other races economically and in sciences. And, many Whites have been quite destructive and war-like for centuries. And, a particular group, the Germanic Vandals were so notorious for their wanton destruction during AD 406 to AD 533(fernweb.The Vandals.The Dark Ages), that their name is synonymous with vandalism. However, it must be said that it is quite apparent that only highly motivated and disciplined individuals are able to surge ahead and become real capitalistics in the United States. And, this apparentness is highlighted by the fact that Asians and Pacific Islanders have the highest median household income among the nation’s race groups; and, they have a higher proportion (42 percent) with bachelor’s degree than non-Hispanic Whites (28%); and, they received 22 percent of the doctorates in engineering and 21 percent of those in computer sciences; and, 6 in 10 Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States were foreign-born. The achievement of these Asians and Pacific Islanders illustrate maximally that an individual has to be highly disciplined and motivated to achieve set goals in this nation. Of course, as mentioned before, most Asians live in desperate situations in their countries. And, provided the opportunity, the most desperate and affluent of them quickly leave their countries with visions of further improving their lot and that of their children. Ironically, these affluent Asians are so disciplined that they tend to forsake their poorer countrymen for personal gains.