On October 27, 2024 a Donald Trump rally took place at Madison Square Garden. During the rally, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, made numerous racially motivated remarks mocking Latinos. During his speech, he made a specific remark about Puerto Rico that upset many throughout the nation. He said, “There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
Immediately after this comment the swarm of clapping and cheering was equally bone chilling and frustrating for many. The United States acquired Puerto Rico in 1898 after the Spanish-American War and residents of the island were given American citizenship in 1917. Present-day there are more Puerto Ricans living in the U.S than on the island. In fact, New York City is the largest populated Puerto Rican city in the world. This just so happens to be in the same state as the rally took place and as you could imagine the residents there were not happy about what Hinchcliffe had to say.
Senior at Lowellville, Christian Coira says, “I did see the video and I thought it was a pretty insane thing to say, especially coming from someone who isn’t part of the Hispanic community and a person of such high status would say something that controversial. I would love to try and debunk it, but it seems there is no way around the fact that he had ill intentions when saying it.”
Another senior, Hadassah Rivera says, “I have seen the video and I noticed all throughout that he made jokes about all situations and stereotypes. Part of me wants to be angry, but I also know that as a comedian in politics, it is his job to make “light” of everything that is happening around us. Though, I don’t stand with him saying Puerto Rico is trash as that is where my grandparents are from. My parents have been there many times and the pictures they have shown me are wonderful.”
Despite being U.S citizens, Puerto Rican residents cannot vote in the upcoming election because Puerto Rico is considered a territory and not a state. However, this doesn’t stop them from spreading their voices to the mainland. There have been numerous Puerto Rican celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Benito MartÍnez Ocasio (Bad Bunny), and lawyer and journalist, Sunny Hostin who weren’t afraid to have their voices heard and spoke out on the severity of what had happened.
Former Lowellville student, Santino Rivera-Ocasio says, “Regardless of who anyone was voting for we have come together just to realize how beautiful of a place Puerto Rico is and the people who live there. Many influential people have spoken out specifically, Bad Bunny, who made a short film highlighting the beauty of the island.”
On October 29th, singer Bad Bunny took to instagram and posted a video with a one worded caption, “garbage.” In this video, Benito highlights the beauty of the island showing numerous well known sights, the famous coqui frogs native to PR, and triumphs of famous Puerto Rican legends. Many celebrities commented on this post showing their support such as Once Upon a Time actress Lana Parrila and Ex-Fifth Harmony member, Lauren Jauregui.
Sunny Hostin took to TikTok and posted a video on The View’s account saying, “This Puerto Rican has something to say about the island I love. Where my family is from, Puerto Rico is trash? We are Americans, Donald Trump. We voluntarily serve disproportionately high in the military while you have bone spurs, and we vote. Pennsylvania is home to almost half a million Puerto Ricans. North Carolina a hundred and fifteen thousand, Georgia one hundred thousand, Arizona sixty-four thousand, Wisconsin sixty-one thousand, Michigan forty-three thousand, Nevada twenty-seven thousand. We vote Donald Trump, Trash? And by the way, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Bad Bunny, Luis Fonsi, and Mark Anthony have over three hundred and forty five million followers on instagram, I think you only have twenty-six million since you care so much about size and we don’t like what was said about Puerto Rico.”
It takes times like these where a whole group of people are feeling the exact same things to come together and show at the end of the day Puerto Ricans never forget where we came from and we will always love our island. The saying “Puerto Rico se RESPETA” meaning, Puerto Rico is to be respected has been trending over numerous social media platforms and furthermore proves our roots run deep.
Christian Coira says,“One thing Hispanics do very well is be very inclusive and open, we just want to have a good time. Any little thing that happens will bring the whole community out and make us closer and closer.”
No matter the outcome of this election, it is never our intention as a nation to go backwards. Racism is an ongoing problem worldwide and is never acceptable. Ever. Seeing Puerto Ricans come together as one, as we are experiencing the same emotions, is something very beautiful, like a breath of fresh air during troubling times like these. No matter if you are still living on the island, or here in the states, we are Puerto Ricans and that is something to be proud of. With Puerto Rico not being included in the voting polls because it is classified as a territory and not a state, it’s extremely important that people still living on the island’s voices are heard, processed, and action is taken. Many Puerto Ricans from the states still have family on the island, including myself. It is our job as a community to represent our people and speak out for those of us who can’t.
