I have also been thinking about what has been happening politically. The relationship between the American Government and Puerto Rico is a complicated one, and the injustices we witnessed manifest from it. I was a bit outraged to say the least. Almirante Sur has gone at least 6 months without electricity. While Puerto Rico is not on the mainland, do not forget that the 3 million strong are fellow U.S. Citizens, and they deserve the same respect and services that citizens from Texas, from New York or Washington demand. Imagine if the same slow response and treatment were to occur in Connecticut. There would be riots, and much swifter response. Puerto Ricans are resilient and will continue to move forward, always. But where is the equal treatment to this beloved commonwealth, U.S. Government?
Why did Florida get $2.3 billion in aid for its citrus industry, and Puerto Rico could only get $2 billion for its electric grid? I cannot pinpoint the source of the inequity. Perhaps it is the lack of representation Puerto Rico has at Congress without statehood. (Puerto Rico gets a non-voting representative) As much as Frankie, my co-director, and Maritza have been explaining to me, I still do not feel like I know enough of the history to make an accurate assessment. But I do know Puerto Ricans deserve better.
Another aspect that I thought about a lot is the boon of technology. In one of the homes we were helping with, we accidentally burst a PVC pipe. The nephew, a middle-aged man, conversed with me for a long time while teaching me how to seal the PVC joint back. (It was completely in Spanish, so I apologize in advanced if I misheard and deliver any inaccuracies) The full out grid had been ailing for a long time, and restoration, despite how long it is taking, will not bring it to any glory. However, he was confident in solar power and the effect a micro grid could have for mitigating pollution and also being more resilient and easy to restore in face of natural disasters. He glowed about Florida Power and Tesla - the two companies he heard has been moving swiftly. While they have not come to his area, he is very proud that they have brought this sustainable electricity to much of the island so far.
And as my skin stung from the sunburns, I thought of how much sun we were wasting and how technology is actually the solution Almirante Sur needs. I stand firmly in my beliefs of the power capitalism and technology, when in the right direction, can have on improving lives. The productivity of private enterprise is always in the back of my mind, and I will eventually cross roads with it in my career one way or the other.
As for identity, I won't be talking much about mine. It did make me think about what it means to be American, but that won't be the focus. I want to use this paragraph to mention that half of the student team had family from Puerto Rico, and the trip really meant a lot to them. Some got to see their extended family for the first time in many, many years. It must have been very special to visit the ancestral land and feel an uncanny connection (a feeling I am still waiting for whenever I visit China for the first time). And so, I am not surprised of what my teammates entertained over the week: singing along to many Puerto Rican songs in all our car rides, satisfying the addiction to dominos, cooking a cute Puerto-Rican style meal, and others. It was special to witness all this culture (and mayo-ketchu, Armeen) and see the special connection it had for my teammates. And so, to all the people that made the trip possible, you know who you are; and we would like to say thank you. The service trip has made a tremendous impression on all 10 of our lives and meant so much to us and the community.