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Puerto Rican History Quotes

Browse 4 quotes about Puerto Rican History.

Puerto Rican History Quotes

“My parents both arrived in New York City after World War II, at different times but for the same reason the search for work. They left a country they loved, but where they could not make a living. About half a million Puerto Ricans made the same journey fleeing economic despair, the result of the US colonization of the island. Government officials blamed the people for the disastrous economic situation claiming that the problem was "overpopulation." They promoted the mass exodus of Puerto Ricans and implemented policies that sterilized thousands of poor and working women. The Young Lords are the sons and daughters of this Great Migration. As young people growing up in the United States, we witnessed how our parents were exploited, degraded, and humiliated. We felt their suffering, and we too had experiences with poverty and racism. All of this propelled us into action to fight for justice.”

Justice United States Us History Colonization Puerto Rico Sterilization Great Migration Young Lords Puerto Rican History

Book:Through the Eyes of Rebel Women: The Young Lords, 1969-1976

Source: Through the Eyes of Rebel Women: The Young Lords, 1969-1976

“The collective memory of every Latino people includes direct or indirect (neo-)colonialism, primarily by Spain or Portugal and later by the United States. Among Latinos, Mexicans in what we now call the Southwest have experienced US colonialism the longest and most directly, with Puerto Ricans not far behind”

United States Colonialism Spain Latino Portugal Puerto Rico Mexicans Latino History Southwestern Us Puerto Rican History

Book:De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century

Source: De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century

“The oppression and exploitation of Latinos (like Asians) have historical roots unknown to most Americans. People who learn at least a little about Black slavery remain totally ignorant about how the United States seized half of Mexico or how it has colonized Puerto Rico.”

Slavery Oppression Mexico American History Us History Puerto Rico Mexican History Puerto Rican History Asian American History Latino American History

Book:De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century

Source: De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century

“We must study and reclaim our past so that we can move forward; so we understand why and how we came to be who we are, and where we are going. (2009 speech)”

History Puerto Rican History

Book:Through the Eyes of Rebel Women: The Young Lords, 1969-1976

Source: Through the Eyes of Rebel Women: The Young Lords, 1969-1976