DON’T FORGET MY RUINED HOMELAND
Trump moved the spotlight to the NFL. Now he needs to move it back to Puerto Rico.
Storms and hurricanes hitting Puerto Rico are nothing new. In fact, growing up we would actually wish we had one come through so we could get a few days off school. Those childish wishes ended abruptly in 1998 with Hurricane Georges, when I experienced what a Category 4 hurricane could really do.
When I heard news of the coming of Hurricane Maria, I must admit I rolled my eyes. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma had just ravaged Texas and Florida, and my attention was on the people who weathered these storms. I called my parents before Maria arrived on the island to halfheartedly check in to see whether they needed anything, but mostly to make sure our dog was indoors. As expected, they were fine. Early Wednesday, I was able to call home just as Maria entered the island. That was the last I heard from my parents.
After Maria hit Puerto Rico, I started watching the news coverage, Facebook updates and local government warnings. I was worried so I called my parents … no answer. Called my friends … no answer. Texted everyone … iMessages turned green and I got anxious.
At work people kept asking me about my family and, with no update to give, it just served as a reminder that my hands were tied.
I reached out to other expatriates hoping that if my friends’ families (on the other side of the island) were OK, then maybe mine was, too.
Shattering images flooded my Facebook timeline. Post after post showed either devastation or pleas for information on family members. I finally got a call in the afternoon just after the storm had passed. Mom was freaking out; Dad was calm. They were both alive and well.
Then, silence again.
An island that is home to more than 3 million people went completely dark. The few posts I saw from Puerto Rico were places I didn’t even recognize. My homeland was — and is — destroyed.
HELPING FROM AFAR
Friends in New York are coordinating food drives. My cousin in Florida is frantically looking for flights. Meanwhile, all I hear is news of bridges collapsing, dams breaking, roadblocks, cellphone towers destroyed, whole towns under water; there’s no postal service, there are no flights into the island, there’s no communication.
I keep repeating to myself that we are strong and that we will rebuild, but I know it’s not easy. It’ll require assistance from those of us who can provide it. These are the times we need to look to our leaders for some sort of guidance, some example or even just some encouragement.
WHO’S KNEELING?
That’s not what’s happening. While my mom desperately tried to reach her sister, cut off after the sole road to her house collapsed, President Trump was tweeting insults at NFL players. While my friends were spending hours in line to get some gas so they could go check on their family members, Congress was arguing about yet another still-born Obamacare-repeal bill.
It has only been a week, but the mainland has moved on. That’s not right. If we need to create a scandal to get attention, we will. We’re not particularly known for being quiet.
President Trump, since you hate kneeling, take a look at Puerto Ricans: My best friend is kneeling because she and her neighbors were clearing out a road to establish access. My uncle is kneeling to help pick up what’s left of my grandfather’s house. My mom is kneeling to check the back of her cabinets to see how much food she has left.
It is great that you are coming to Puerto Rico next week, but you need to act now. Keep tweeting about us. Tweet so the news cycle follows suit. Tweet so every American learns about the Jones Act and how foreign ships can’t bring us aid. Tweet so they know why you waived those restrictions after Harvey and Irma but won’t now.
Tweet so Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama don’t outshine you on fundraising. Please tweet because right now you are the president and people will listen to you. Tweet because Americans in Puerto Rico are dying.
I refuse to move on because those trapped on the island can’t, and Americans on the mainland are distracted by business-asusual Washington. If you’re a Sen. Bernie Sanders supporter and all you care about right now is his “Medicare For All” plan, just donate to the Red Cross. If you’re a Hillary Clinton supporter and all you care about is her new book What Happened, donate to United for Puerto Rico. If you’re a Trump supporter and all you care about is NFL players kneeling, donate to All Hands Volunteers.
Hurricane Maria destroyed Puerto Rico, not Puerto Ricans.