Taino in the Southeast US pre-1492

[Taino Indians lived at least as far north as the Smoky Mountains. ¿Como? ¿Puertorriqueños en América del Norte antes de que Cristóbal Colón? ¡Por seguro! Forensic geologists and Native American scholars are opening the flood gates of new knowledge about North America’s past.]


The petroglyphs from Arecibo, PR and Atlanta, GA both portray a Taino guardian spirit.

Puertoricans came to North America before Columbus, March 12, 2013, Examiner.com 

Florida's Fast Growing Puerto Rican Population

Believe it or not, pero Cubans account for little more than a quarter (28%) of Florida's Latino population -- and shrinking! That is, 3 of 4 Floridian Latinos are now nonCuban. Puerto Ricans are the state's 2nd largest Latino group at 850,000 (2010 census) and growing rapidly (migration/youth). 

The Sunshine State's Puerto Rican population grew 75% between 2000 and 2010, mostly in Central Florida, and they now make up 13% of Orange County and 27% of Osceola County. Barring another Mariel boatlift or exodus, the 2020 census may show Puerto Ricans eclipsing Cubans in La Florida.

Interactivemap: Census 2010: Puerto Rican population in Florida

Runover by the GOP LOCO-motive, Senator Mel Martinez Cries 'No Mas'

The Hill is reporting that Republican Senator Mel Martinez will NOT run for re-election in Florida in 2010. Caught between Republican nativism, Bush incompetence, and a changing Florida, Martinez has chosen to step aside and not seek re-election.

Actually, I'm not sure Martinez had much of a choice. At this point, he probably couldn't win back the mayor's seat in Orlando. His popularity has taken a major hit for reasons, including:

1) long-standing ties to the very unpopular Bush administration
2) support for immigration reform that made him a target of the GOP nativists
4) an unsuccessful stint last year as Bush's pick to chair the Republican National Committee
5) and Florida's continuing movement from Red to Blue state.

However, Martinez and the GOP were in trouble when Bush felt compelled to install Martinez as RNC chairmen in the aftermath of the massive defeat of the administration's pathetic efforts at immigration reform.

The goal was to reassure Latino Republicans nervous about the direction of the GOP, but it didn't work. The wingnuts led by Tom Tancredo, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity were more emboldened and smelled Latino blood. As I recall, they immediately attacked Martinez, even suggesting that a Latino immigrant should not be their party's leader. (See links to the Martinez posts below.)

Here's what I wrote after Martinez' first interview as RNC Chair (1/21/07):

Hmmm. A Latino Chairman of the Republican Party promising to create a party in which Latinos as well as African Americans are comfortable is refreshing. Certainly, Bay Buchanan and Tom Tancredo can't be lovin what they’re hearing.

And here's what I wrote just 8 months later when Martinez announced that he would be stepping down as RNC Chairman:

Clearly, Martinez does not want to be associated with a GOP presidential campaign likely to go down in flames in part due to its anti-Latino, anti-immigrant and anti-African American baggage.

There's a GOP train wreck in the making--and Martinez is leaving before it crushes him, too.

Well, the careening, belching LOCO-motive crushed him.

Related:
Sen. Martinez won’t run for re-election in 2010
Mel Martinez To Exit the GOP Train Wreck
Now We're All Responsible for Fixing Immigration
GOP Opposition Grows Against Iraq War
Republican Presidential Hopefuls Diss 1,000 Latino Leaders
Martinez to Diversify the GOP
Martinez Wins Against the Will of Bigots
RightWing Blackboots Go After Senator Martinez

An Invitation to The VIVA Raleigh Festival

The City of Raleigh (NC) invites warmly invites the public to The Viva Raleigh Festival, Saturday, July 19, from 2:30-7:30 p.m. at Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh.

The City of Raleigh and a committee of city residents present a day long celebration of Latino culture, featuring live performances by local and internationally known artists, Latin American delicacies, exhibits, arts & crafts, and information on lifestyle and health choices for area Latinos. Capital Area Transit (CAT) will be offering free public transportation.

If you would like to participate as a volunteer, reserve a booth, or for more information please contact:
Aracelys Torrez 919-831-6099 Aracelys.torrez@ci.raleigh.nc.us or
Luis Olivieri-Robert 919-831-6124 Luis.olivieri-robert@ci.raleigh.nc.us

GOP Boricua's response to Ginny Brown-Waite

GOP Boricua --a resident of Florida's 5th Congressional District who's a Conservative Republican of Puerto Rican heritage--is not happy with Dumb Ms Ginny Brown-Waite.

GOP Boricua's got attitude. I love it! He's a good American.

Here's GOP Boricua's response:

I am a lifetime Republican, a resident of the 5th Congressional District, and a US Citizen who was born in Puerto Rico. I am outraged by the statements made by our representative, Congresswoman Ginny Brown Waite, regarding the people of Puerto Rico and the Economic Stimulus Package recently approved by the House of Representatives.

For the record, I am a social and fiscal conservative, and I completely disagree with the idea of the Federal Government handing out checks to stimulate the economy, especially when that money will most likely be used to purchase goods manufactured in China and not here in the US.

I agree with Congresswoman Brown-Waite that we should not be sending taxpayer funds to those who do not pay income taxes.

That is not at issue here.

The issue is her statement referring to us who were born in Puerto Rico as “foreign citizens”.

Congresswoman Brown-Waite apparently needs a refresher history course, so she can understand that the people of Puerto Rico ARE United States citizens and have been so since 1917 when the Jones Act granted them citizenship. Puerto Ricans have proudly and bravely defended this Nation in every conflict since World War I, and have had the second-highest number of war casualties per capita among jurisdictions of the United States. Over 8,000 Puerto Rican men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice defending this Nation, including 68 (so far) in the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts. I don’t think their citizenship came into question when they gave their lives so she could have the freedom to say such idiotic things.

I am afraid her comments are not just a product of ignorance but rather some sort of underlying prejudice against those whom she does not consider to be “American” enough. As a Republican I am ashamed at her attitude. There should be no place in the GOP for such prejudice. Be advised, Congresswoman Brown-Waite, that Puerto Ricans are the fastest growing segment of population in Central Florida….and if you wish to continue representing the 5th District you might want to consider apologizing for your ignorant and insensitive comments.

If not, I know of at least one Puerto Rican Republican who would love a shot at your seat to fairly represent them.

Dumb Ms Ginny Brown-Waite

How dumb is Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Florida)?

Very.

Last week she issued a press release in which she referred to Puerto Ricans as "foreign citizens".

Calling her comments “infuriating and contradictory,” members of the U.S. Congress and the full Puerto Rican House of Representatives demanded “a public apology” from Brown-Waite for referring to Puerto Ricans as “foreign citizens.”

Puerto Ricans were made American citizens in 1917.

Ms Ginny has thus far refused to correct her mistake and apologize.

Ginny represents an area in Florida's Central Region, which is home to some 600,000 Floridians of Puerto Rican heritage. However, the 5th District that she represents is comprised largely of nonLatino retirees. Perhaps picking a fight with Puerto Ricans is smart politics there--but it can only be a short-term play.

Why?

The district's demographics are changing allowing Democrats to compete in the formerly solid Republican district. But even if Ms Ginny manages to hang on in 2008, 2010 will be more difficult--and we can expect that the post-2010 redistricting will surely rid Central Florida of this embarrassment. But it won't happen so enough.

But let's be clear. Ginny's assault on Puerto Ricans is simply another manifestion of the rightwing's anti-Latino nativism. As I've said before, it's not about the "immigration status" of some Latinos--it's simple bigotry against Latinos.

Related:
Political leaders criticize Brown-Waite's 'foreign' remark
Puerto Ricans to Brown-Waite: You're an insensitive ignoramus

A Message From Obama: A Big Win

Gerry --

We've just won a big victory in South Carolina.

After four great contests in every corner of this country, and another record turnout today, we have the most votes, the most delegates, and the most diverse coalition of Americans we've seen in a long, long time.

You'll have a chance to make your voice heard next Tuesday, February 5th -- and I am counting on you.

I'll be heading down shortly to thank our supporters in South Carolina.

If you're reading this tonight, I hope you'll tune in at home so I can thank you, too.

Barack

Obama Takes South Carolina!

After one of the ugliest stretches in recent political primaries, in which the Clintons did everything in their power, including unleashing a race-baiting and emotionally unstable Billy "Bubba" Clinton, in a despicable attempt to tar Barack Obama as a shady, fast-talking, done nothing, black pol from innercity Chicago, the voters of South Carolina had their say today.

And Barack Obama has won in a landslide!

Perhaps the better man can win afterall.

Obama runs away with SC primary

A Third of Hall County (GA) Students Latino

Dominating the student population in Gainesville city schools, Latinos are also quickly becoming the predominant group in Hall County schools as well. October enrollment numbers released by the Georgia Department of Education show that Latinos now make up nearly 34% of Hall's overall enrollment of 25,585 students.

Hall County is situated 35 miles Northeast of Atlanta. The Hall area was Cherokee and Creek land until their forced removal in 1838 in The Trail of Tears.

As is the case in many other communities with fast growing Latino populations, there are no Latinos serving on either the Gainsville Board of Education or the Hall Board of Commissioners.

Related:

Hispanics now one-third of Hall students
For the Love of Immigrants
Latino Grits
Latino housekeepers in Savannah arrested for taking the garbage
The ‘New South’ -- an Immigrant-Friendly Place
Southern States -- Immigration's New Battlefield

Blogging the YouTube Democratic Debate in Charleston

I'll be blogging the YouTube/CNN Democratic Presidential Forum in Charleston, South Carolina.

It'll be the first debate of its kind ever in which all of the questions are asked by voters via YouTube and televised on CNN. Answering the questions will be the Democratic presidential contenders who'll appear on stage in Charleston, site of next year's first Southern primary.

Republicans will face the YouTube questioners at their September 18th debate in Florida.

I'll be watching to see if the YouTube piece allows for a more meaningful debate or if it'll prove to be yet another television gimmick. I'm also curious to see how the issues of immigration, race, education and relations with Latin America are handled by the moderator and the candidates.

The controversy heading into the debate is that the forum will be "moderated". That is, Anderson Cooper (and his team at CNN) get to choose the questions from the YouTube submissions. They are free to use their journalistic judgement in deciding which questions to allow.

To see all of the questions--those Anderson Cooper will pick as well as those he'll ignore--visit YouTube's political vlog CitizenTube.

Puerto Ricans are Florida's swing voters

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - They are Florida's "other" Hispanic voters.

After Cuban-Americans, Puerto Ricans make up the state's largest Hispanic population and its most politically independent - key swingers in a swing state.

Both parties seek to claim them. Democrats point to Puerto Ricans' traditional alignment with their party and tout their potential to counter the Republican Cuban-American vote. Republicans boast of the more business-oriented Puerto Ricans who increasingly call central Florida home.

But both parties are loath to admit one uncomfortable fact: as U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans are the only Hispanic immigrants in Florida who can automatically register to vote, yet more often than not, they don't.

"We have been working for years to get people more involved, Democrats, Republicans, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs office, and it has been disaster," said Kissimmee County Commissioner, Republican Carols Irizarry, one of Florida's few Puerto Rican elected officials.

In the last decade, Florida has passed New Jersey as the No. 2 state for mainland Puerto Ricans, behind New York. The number of Puerto Ricans in Florida was estimated at 645,000 in 2005, up 160 percent since 1990, with the majority settling in the center swath of the state from Tampa to Daytona.