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I usually don't get political in my blog, simply because I hate politics and don't have the mind or the will to enjoy them. But last Friday during my first Master's class a classmate mentioned something that sparked my interest and I can't help but put in my two cents about it...
The topic was about the history of education in Puerto Rico, starting with the Spaniards and Indians and ending with our current regime.
The important thing touched upon this class is that when Spain lost Puerto Rico to the US in the Hispanic War the educational system completely changed, one that nearly forced the American lifestyle onto its poor and ignorant people.
In the 50s a revolution happened. A group of revolutionaries decided to stand up against the American Government ruling the Island at the time and forced them to give us the independence to run our Island our way.
Its a very long and convoluted story so I'll leave it there. But here's what makes things interesting. The classmate said the following; "Has anyone noticed that the people who are against the American Government are very highly educated individuals who have made their lives abroad and especially the US and return home to oppose the one system that HELPED them get the knowledge they need?"
Going even further, he mentioned that these revolutionaries didn't really help things as Puertorican education has been stilted by politics since then.
What happened is that early schools were very American. English was the only language spoken, the American flag was always respected and most of the knowledge imposed on the children were based on common American beliefs (from Holidays to Politics). When the revolution started all of this was debated, questioned and to a certain extend eliminated from our schools, leaving English as an optional second language rather than the obligatory idiom needed to get an education.
What my classmate suggest is that ever since this ended Puertorican education has not evolved to the same extend as the education in other countries, even those with a poor political climate. You still can't teach a kid English and they likely can't speak Spanish well either.
In other words; in their fight against the American Government these revolutionaries stilted our educations and limited its options, creating today's awkward regime. Ironically, many schools are named after these people and are considered heroes, when in fact they were merely looking to satisfy their agendas, not pleasing their people.
This is why I tend to question revolutionaries. Not saying that revolutions aren't needed. In fact, in Americans didn't have the courage to stand up against the English government they wouldn't be the powerful Country they are today. But the thing is that this revolution was made with the PEOPLE in mind. Yes, beliefs were also mixed in, but it was about giving people the freedom to run their country, create their laws and mold its history.
Many revolutionaries are just upset at certain beliefs and just want to attack the source, NOT thinking about the people involved. Very few care about their people. They just want their egos satisfied, especially since the ignorant will see THEM as the heroes.
I can't speak for American revolutionaries, but I can tell you that many of today's modern Puertorican revolutionaries are just angry people who want their belief to be heard, even if its at the cost of our freedom.
Really, what does climbing to the top of the Statue of LIberty and raising the Puertorican Flag do? You may hate the fact that the American Government run our island, but what do YOU suggest we as people do to prove our worth as people?
None of this gets answered or addressed. All they care about is that their egos are satisfied and agendas are met, the people be damned. And worst, the ignorant will applaud them as heroes when there are far more important people that are truly being heroes that being the best at what they are.
Did you know that in the recent Space mission there's a Puertorican astronaut, the first one in fact? Not to mention that one American Idol contestant was Puertorican and in the recent International Baseball leagues the Puertorican team came pretty damn far against the world.
I say this because there's a likely chance that these people won't get the credit they deserve and be placed among "revolutionaries" who think are helping the island but are really just helping their egos inflate more.
Sorry for this being too political but my classmate made a really good point and I can't help but agree with it.
-pap64
The topic was about the history of education in Puerto Rico, starting with the Spaniards and Indians and ending with our current regime.
The important thing touched upon this class is that when Spain lost Puerto Rico to the US in the Hispanic War the educational system completely changed, one that nearly forced the American lifestyle onto its poor and ignorant people.
In the 50s a revolution happened. A group of revolutionaries decided to stand up against the American Government ruling the Island at the time and forced them to give us the independence to run our Island our way.
Its a very long and convoluted story so I'll leave it there. But here's what makes things interesting. The classmate said the following; "Has anyone noticed that the people who are against the American Government are very highly educated individuals who have made their lives abroad and especially the US and return home to oppose the one system that HELPED them get the knowledge they need?"
Going even further, he mentioned that these revolutionaries didn't really help things as Puertorican education has been stilted by politics since then.
What happened is that early schools were very American. English was the only language spoken, the American flag was always respected and most of the knowledge imposed on the children were based on common American beliefs (from Holidays to Politics). When the revolution started all of this was debated, questioned and to a certain extend eliminated from our schools, leaving English as an optional second language rather than the obligatory idiom needed to get an education.
What my classmate suggest is that ever since this ended Puertorican education has not evolved to the same extend as the education in other countries, even those with a poor political climate. You still can't teach a kid English and they likely can't speak Spanish well either.
In other words; in their fight against the American Government these revolutionaries stilted our educations and limited its options, creating today's awkward regime. Ironically, many schools are named after these people and are considered heroes, when in fact they were merely looking to satisfy their agendas, not pleasing their people.
This is why I tend to question revolutionaries. Not saying that revolutions aren't needed. In fact, in Americans didn't have the courage to stand up against the English government they wouldn't be the powerful Country they are today. But the thing is that this revolution was made with the PEOPLE in mind. Yes, beliefs were also mixed in, but it was about giving people the freedom to run their country, create their laws and mold its history.
Many revolutionaries are just upset at certain beliefs and just want to attack the source, NOT thinking about the people involved. Very few care about their people. They just want their egos satisfied, especially since the ignorant will see THEM as the heroes.
I can't speak for American revolutionaries, but I can tell you that many of today's modern Puertorican revolutionaries are just angry people who want their belief to be heard, even if its at the cost of our freedom.
Really, what does climbing to the top of the Statue of LIberty and raising the Puertorican Flag do? You may hate the fact that the American Government run our island, but what do YOU suggest we as people do to prove our worth as people?
None of this gets answered or addressed. All they care about is that their egos are satisfied and agendas are met, the people be damned. And worst, the ignorant will applaud them as heroes when there are far more important people that are truly being heroes that being the best at what they are.
Did you know that in the recent Space mission there's a Puertorican astronaut, the first one in fact? Not to mention that one American Idol contestant was Puertorican and in the recent International Baseball leagues the Puertorican team came pretty damn far against the world.
I say this because there's a likely chance that these people won't get the credit they deserve and be placed among "revolutionaries" who think are helping the island but are really just helping their egos inflate more.
Sorry for this being too political but my classmate made a really good point and I can't help but agree with it.
-pap64
contemplative