Rosie Perez is not happy about how either political party has treated Puerto Rico, and it goes beyond how Congress mishandled the island’s crippling debt crisis.
In an interview with MSNBC’s José Díaz-Balart, the actress spoke about why she supports Hillary Clinton and what she appreciated about Bernie Sander’s campaign. But Perez also took some time to denounce how many mainland Americans perceive Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens.
When Díaz-Balart asked the actress if she was happy about how Republicans and Democrats have dealt with the debt crisis in Puerto Rico she gave her honest opinion:
No, I am not. I think that people treat the island and the people that live on the island as second-class citizens, [as if] they are sub-par, [as if] they are not important. Puerto Ricans are United States citizens and I think that the issue of statehood or independence needs to be addressed and needs to be resolved. And right now, on the island, the majority of people want statehood. Why isn’t that addressed? Why is that not respected?
Ugh…The diaspora needs to back the voices of liberation on the island instead of corrupt politicians that aren’t advocating for our best interest. How on earth can Ms. Perez stand behind a bill like Promesa and the wholesale privatization/environmental contamination that has been plaguing PR and call herself an advocate. GTFOH with that Lin-Manuel double consciousness that measures our worth by this useless Americanismo. Second class citizens are in fact—not citizens…Forced labor migration is not choosing statehood…
The governor and the people of El Pueblo pushed for that PROMESA Bill , like it’s mentioned , it is not perfect but it brings some relief to the Island, El Pueblo doesnt trust their corrupt Puerto Rican government anymore they prefer the control board to come in and take over !! I agree with Rosie Perez, Puerto Rico’s real problem is it’s colonial status, statehood or Independence ??
yes make puerto rico a state,,,they made hawaii a state
The majority of the population does not support statehood for Puerto Rico.
Statehood now
Get your facts straight. The mayority of Puertoricans do not support stathood.
PR will never be a state. Its independence and unity #SiSePuede
Supporting Hillary is not going to advance the cause of Puerto Ricans on the island. Instead she will work to take care of her Wall St. cronies! If the Dems were really serious about their platform a $15 minimum wage would apply to citizens on the island also. Instead what you see is Puerto Rico being kept as a colony.
Rosie Perez you lost my respect.