So What?

Without shame or glory, the Interagency Working Group on Puerto Rico came from the White House to the island, held its public hearing and left. In a ballroom at the convention center without much of the public, people representing different political movements, the government and various institutions made a brief summary to the envoys of federal executives about the affairs of the country, which is under the jurisdiction of the United States. Outside the convention center, there were no major demonstrations of support nor of rejection in response to the event.

The discretion with which the prior information was handled regarding the opinions, the lack of concrete information about the objectives and members of the group, and the attacks on the process launched by political parties because of the exclusion of their leaders, combined to “break up” the process. At the same time, there was a perceived lack of knowledge and empathy on the part of the spokesmen/women of the work group regarding Puerto Ricans and the issues that affect us. In fact, the very expression that they were coming to listen and take a fresh look at the issue of our island's status was evidence of their detachment from an issue Puerto Ricans struggle with every day.

Puerto Rico demands more than that. It is time to begin an intense process designed to address the issues that affect the future of this country. If the White House effort will really go beyond a formality of promises in order to address promises and needs, it should designate a liaison for Puerto Rico who really understands the needs and feelings of Puerto Ricans. The seriousness with which Puerto Rico is addressed will affect Hispanic affairs throughout the United States, where the Puerto Rican community has much influence.

The issue of Puerto Rico's future must be addressed more seriously and with more preparation, so that the final process can be really productive.