Puerto Rico has a water problem. Some things are simply, hard to wrap your head around. Water, is the most basic need, that human beings have.
Puerto Rico Needs Water.
How is it possible, that a country could fail to meet this most basic need? Secondly, how is it possible, that the rest of the world allows this to happen?
The situation with Puerto Rico lacking water water is reminiscent of two things. Allen Iverson and his practice rant. Only this time, instead of the word practice, use water and it would perfectly sum up, how hard to believe, Puerto Rico’s water situation is.
Secondly, Puerto Rico is reminiscent of Venezuela.
Venezuela’s inability to adequately respond to the twin Earthquakes, is a clear indicator that Venezuelans need a better government.
Similarly, a government that is incapable of ensuring its citizens have access to clean water. Is a government guilty of failing its people. With that being the case, the rest of the world must act.
However, the push has to come from Puerto Ricans living in the US. The reasoning behind this is, presumably, these voices are most easily heard.
On the other hand, Bad Bunny, may beg to differ:
Moreover, the truth is there should be no either or. All Puerto Ricans, world wide, in Puerto Rico, the US and throughout the world, need to speak up. Their very survival is at stake and the lack of water in Puerto Rico, is reason enough to speak up.
Puerto Rico & It’s Grey Area.
However, the reality is, Puerto Ricans find themselves in between a rock and a hard place. Stuck in a grey area.
On the one hand, the US is the largest economy in the world, capable of helping Puerto Rico be a place, where Puerto Ricans thrive. However, as Bad Bunny suggests in the above clip, US interests may run contrary to Puerto Rico’s.
Moreover, Puerto Ricans also face political struggles at home. With corruption and frustration with Puerto Rico’s political parties, being some of the main problems.
So, we’ve looked at some of the problems, (lack of water and political problems). However, what are the answers, how does Puerto Rico go from where it is, to where it needs to be?
Well, as always, unity, is probably the answer. Whether at home, or abroad, Puerto Ricans need to be connected with one another and on the same page. As a bare minimum, there needs to be Puerto Rican (media) platforms, where the many issues facing Puerto Ricans are discussed. So that Puerto Ricans can figure out their own destinies on their own.
One such plight, that Puerto Ricans need to be rallying around, is ensuring an end of the bureaucracy that is stopping Puerto Rico accessing funds to repair damages in the water system. Again, the US has already allocated at least some of the funds needed to repair some of the damages that Puerto Rico’s water system has. However, the actual distribution of these funds, is being blocked by bureaucratic red tape.
Furthermore, now is probably the time, for some changes in Puerto Rican politics. The recent example that particularly comes to mind is India’s Cockroach Janta Party.
The bottom line is, Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans need to have a space in the political realm where their issues and opinions can be used to create solutions.
Ironically, it is probably going to take unelected locals, that make it their business to address the plights of most Puerto Ricans. For the needs of Puerto Ricans to really register.
It’s Time For Puerto Rico To Team Up.
The brand of Puerto Rico, is a global one. As Bad Bunny, has emphatically shown. In other words, Puerto Rico is by no means alone.
The power of Puerto Rican culture, is global and this means that throughout the region and world, there are people sympathetic to, what Puerto Ricans are going through.
It is time Puerto Ricans started using its relationships throughout the region and globe, to solve its local problems. A country with a problematic water system, sounds like something that falls under the remit of the World Bank.
Similarly, Puerto Rico is culturally a part of something bigger than itself, namely, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Whilst both the US and Puerto Rico are places that can be described as expensive to live. Both the Caribbean and other Latin American countries, potentially offer Puerto Ricans opportunities to build for their futures more easily.
Moreover, Puerto Ricans having US passports, means living elsewhere in Latin America and the Caribbean is easy. Now, understandably, many Puerto Ricans are reluctant to leave their homeland.
PR People Have Options.
Again, like Bad Bunny has explained in both his music and the clip above. However, for the Puerto Ricans that think that leaving PR is currently their best option. Consider, elsewhere in Latin America and the Caribbean, where things are more affordable.
Additionally, Spain, is also an option for Puerto Ricans to consider, that many might naturally overlook.
Finally, diplomacy, seems to have been insufficiently explored by Puerto Ricans. The game changer for Puerto Rico is it tapping into relationships, throughout the globe, for the sake of Puerto Rico.
Furthermore, where PR’s political grey area is in the way. Hopefully, the private sphere and Puerto Rican companies can be used, to achieve progress by different means.
Perhaps, privatization is the answer to PR’s water problems. However, to avoid swapping old problems for new ones, the type of privatization, that PR engages in, is important.
Hopefully, Puerto Ricans actively ensure that everything that is done for Puerto Rico is done with the present, mid and long term, in mind.
