It was meant as a joke. “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico”, the “commedian” said at the political rally. And the crowd laughed, oblivious or indifferent to the many layers of offense stacked within that “joke.”
For those of us with Puerto Rican roots, who cherish both the island and the country we now call home, these words cut deep. They sting, but they also clarify something profoundly troubling. This “joke” isn’t just about Puerto Rico; it’s another thread in a long, ugly pattern. A pattern where human beings are reduced to a label or a slur, where darker skin tones, different languages, and diverse cultures are treated as defects rather than the gifts they are.
As a Puerto Rican who left the island over two decades ago, I carry Puerto Rico’s pride in my heart. Throughout my life, I’ve built strong friendships here in the U.S. with people who look and think differently. Diversity is still one of America’s strengths, yet we live in a political moment where people like us—those who might speak with an accent, whose skin tone might be a little darker—are called and treated as “vermin,” “criminals,” “poison.” And we’ve heard these labels from individuals who claim to uphold Christian values, which makes the irony all the more bitter. Somewhere along the way, the Christian tenet to “love thy neighbor” has become selectively applied.
I wonder, who finds humor in belittling an entire people as a floating island of garbage? Certainly, not Jesus. This “joke” got laughs from people who might otherwise proudly recite words about freedom, unity, and faith. But when it comes to fellow citizens who look or sound a bit different, empathy and love for “thy neighbor” evaporates.
As part of our colonial history, Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens for more than a century. We contribute in every possible way—through military service, taxes (yes, we pay taxes), culture, and innovation. We don’t deserve to be minimized or labeled in derogatory terms any more than anyone else does. And yet, this narrative of dehumanization persists, sometimes subtly, sometimes not. Because calling Puerto Ricans garbage at a political rally is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a broader culture that permits casual hate, cloaked in “humor”, shielded by “free speech,” and then justified under a twisted version of “patriotism”.
So, if we’re going to talk about patriotism, about values, let’s talk about what it really means to uphold them. Real patriotism doesn’t demean its own people. It doesn’t laugh at the expense of others and doesn’t let the language of hate slip by unchallenged. It demands respect and insists on the dignity of all its citizens—no exceptions, no qualifications.
Yes, this is a moment to feel anger, but it’s also a call to action. We can choose to be better, to call out these “jokes” for what they are: pure hate. And we can remind those who laugh along with these “jokes” of the real meaning behind the values they claim to cherish. Because love, respect, and decency aren’t just words to use at your place of worship or when convenient. They are principles to live by every day.
P.S. Since publishing this post, I’ve noticed some people have responded to these insults by resorting to similar language, perhaps out of anger, frustration, or simply to seize an opportunity to strike back. But that’s a path that leads us away from the ideals we strive to uphold. A truly civilized society cannot survive on the foundations of hate or retribution. Instead, it must be built on mutual respect and understanding—values we should protect as resolutely as any others, without exceptions, without qualifications. [F.A.M., October 30, 2024]