CHLS 2001 Trip to Puerto Rico

Introduction A group of 7 students from the Chicano and Latino Studies Department spent 6 nights and 7 days visiting Puerto Rico and Vieques (July 14-21, 2001). The trip is a pilot project whose objective is to continue to provide some exposure to the diverse cultures and geopolitics of the Caribbean.
The Caribbean was the first area of "encounter" (1492) between Europeans and the indigenous people of the Americas and for more than 500 years it has been a place of dynamic cultural exchanges and geopolitical conflict. Ironically, despite being considered an "American Lake," few Americans visit or are acquainted with the diverse cultures that make the Caribbean a microcosm of the interconnectedness of European and indigenous cultures. Spanish, English, Dutch, French, Papiamento, Creole, Pidgin, and other languages reflect the influence of Europe and the creativity of native people who re-interpreted European culture into their own experience. Europeans, Tainos, Caribes, Yorubas, Mandingos all from Europe, Africa and the Americas blended in interesting and still misunderstood ways.

Caribbean Basin

More recently, Puerto Rico has been in the news because of a 62 year old conflict between the navy and the 9,100 residents of Vieques. During World War II, the navy expropriated 2/3 of the 33,000 acres of Vieques leaving the Viequenses wedged between a ammunition deposit naval base on the west side of Vieques and a naval, short weapons and aerial target practice range on the east side. For decades, the Viequenses have struggled to get their land back and end the naval use of their island. The residents point at evidence of higher cancer rates (27% higher) in Vieques than in Puerto Rico, and toxics deposited by the navy, environmental damages to the pristine coral reefs and marine life.

Recently, 70% of the 9,100 residents of Vieques voted unequivocally to demand the navy return the lands and begin cleaning up the toxics and unexploded ordnance strewn around the navy held lands. Since April 19, 1999, when a navy bomb killed Viequense David Sanes Rodriguez, ironically, the issue of Vieques has become better known internationally than in the United States. In protests across the world, from Paris, Rome, to Mexico City and Tokyo, people have supported the human rights demands of the Viequenses. Notables such as Robert Kennedy Jr., Actor Edward James Olmos, N.Y. Labor leader Dennis Rivera and more than a thousand people have been in prison because they have engaged in civil disobedience to stop the bombings by placing themselves as human shields.

The issue has become a political issue in the senatorial race in New York when Sen. Hillary Clinton visited Vieques and expressed support for the islanders, Gov. Pataki, a Republican has also shown support for the Viequenses, Rev. Al Sharpton, the African American leader from New York has spent 90 days in jail after he engaged in civil disobedience in Vieques. More recently, the issue brought Black and Latinos into an alliance in the New York mayoral elections when Rep. Rangel D-NY called for a Black-Latino coalition to support Puerto Rican mayoral candidate Ferdinand Ferrer.

Aguadilla Coast, Northwest of P.R.

The Trip
7 students, Lidia Gallardo, Priscilla Gutierrez, Michelle Hinojosa, Carlos Camacho, Norma Garcia, Marcos "Tony" Rodriguez and Guadalupe Luevano stayed in the coastal town of Vega Baja. We rented three modest apartments close to the beach in a small Village called Puerto Nuevo. From there we visited several sites across the northern part of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is 110 miles long and 35 miles wide and is about 3,515 square miles (about the size of the state of Connecticut). Listed below are some of the sites we visited and the educational activities we participated in during our trip.

We heard from Dr. Ramon Lopez-Aleman, a Penn State trained phycisist who spoke about island and Vieques politics from a pro independence perspective (Pro Independence Party-PIP).
Mr. Jose Diaz, Johns Hopkins University graduate, and a former legislative political adviser and consultant to the pro statehood party (New Progressive Party) also lectured the group.
Angel Rodriguez, a teacher and leader in the Federation of Teachers who also spoke about island politics and race and ethnic dynamics.
Camuy Caves, a system of limestone caverns that is considered one of the most beautiful in Latin America. Northwest. Its underground river, Camuy, is the third world largest underground river.
Camuy Caves System
Old San Juan, the second oldest city in the Americas, with its narrow, cobblestone streets, 16th century Spanish architecture, military fortresses, coffee houses, pubs, and great shopping and food. North.
Rain Forest, Luquillo and Rio Grande. East P.R.The only tropical rain forest in the U.S. Forest Park system.
Luquillo Beach, one of the top beaches in the Caribbean. East P.R.
Vieques Island. East. Visited the flash point where most of the protests against the navy take place and met some of the leaders of the local human rights movement including the patriarch leader of the fishermen, Mr. Carlos Zenon. In this photo students met Puerto Rican patriot, Elizam Escobar.
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. The largest campus of the UPR system with 21,000 students. We spent some time at the Center for Social Science Research Center (CIS).
Isla Verde, one of the the tourist section of San Juan. El San Juan Casino, with salsa bands and casinos.

El Yunque is one of the largest rain forests in the Caribbean. The Taino indians believed their gods resided in it highest peaks. Here students were able to bathe in one of the waterfalls in the rain forest.

El Yunque Falls

San Jose church is one of the oldest in the island, it faces the Atlantic Ocean. Suffered some damage during the 1898 Spanish-American War when Admiral Sampson bombed the city.