As we end 2018 and move into 2019 with a host of problems facing us in the year ahead, it is too easy for the mainstream media to focus on the latest Trumpublican outrages, and to allow ongoing tragedies to fall by the wayside, no longer headline news and only revisited briefly when there is an anniversary date.
In 2019, my hope is that a new Congress, with the House controlled by Democrats, will put investigations of failures in Puerto Rico front and center, and generate legislation that will begin to redress a crisis that has gone on far too long.
September 2018 marked the first anniversary of Hurricane Maria’s devastation of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Miami Herald marked the date with this brief video, “Puerto Rico: The Forgotten Island,” narrated by Rita Moreno.
Take a few minutes to watch and remember:
In November 2018, after the midterms, I wrote, “A reminder: Now that we control the House, Democrats must aid Puerto Rico.” In just a few more days, that newly sworn-in House will begin to function.
You can can play a key role in keeping the pressure on our elected officials.
One of the most useful resources you can use to inform yourselves, your social networks, and your elected officials can be found in materials posted online by the Take Action for Puerto Rico campaign that kicked off around the first anniversary of the storm.
• Empowered Community: Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, yet the aftermath of Hurricane Maria has exposed the disparate treatment of the island’s denizens. Our Take Action for Puerto Rico! Toolkit provides all the information and materials you need to empower you, your fellow advocates and organization to take action on behalf of Puerto Rico.
• Health Care Equity: Puerto Rico receives far less funding for federal health care programs than other US jurisdictions. Specifically, the federal share for Medicaid is artificially capped at a much lower rate than states, and Puerto Rican Medicare patients are excluded from the low-income prescription drug subsidy for seniors.
• Climate Change Preparedness: The growing frequency and intensity of hurricanes are the result of climate change and islands are particularly susceptible to its effects. The Take Action for Puerto Rico! Toolkit provides useful background information on the intersectionality between the ever growing strength of hurricanes, climate change, and how to use reporters and like-minded groups to engage on Puerto Rico related issues.
• Economic Redevelopment: Puerto Rico is under historic financial distress, which has severely hampered the island’s ability to restart its own economy. Our Media & Policy Toolkit provides more information on how to amplify your groups’ message to reach wider audiences on this topic.
Please download their Take Action for Puerto Rico Toolkit. Read the fast facts.
Follow the #TakeAction4PR on Twitter and on Instagram.
“Instead of voting for a useless wall, Congress could have supported Puerto Rican families with parity under the tax credit for children and with funds to ensure a total recovery.”
Take Action for Puerto Rico also has a comprehensive list of charities and community groups on the island who could use your support.
I’d like to thank Daily Kos for giving me the space to cover Puerto Rico this year, and muchísimas gracias to readers who have shared and contributed to what I’ve written.
Here’s my 2018 Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Caribbean Year-In-Review:
January:
Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico. There will be toys but the Magi are not bringing light.
Make rebuilding Puerto Rico and the USVI part of our Democratic platform for 2018 and 2020
Puerto Rican Statehood Commission demands end to second class status with a push for statehood.
Water is life: Puerto Rico, potable water, and El Yunque
The Puerto Rican Island of Vieques: War games, hurricanes, and wild horses
The rainbow flag proudly waves over Puerto Ricans
February:
Black History Month: Celebrating the Afro-Puerto Rican 'Father of Black History' Arturo Schomburg
Think about your 'light privilege' then protest what is happening in Puerto Rico!
62% of applications for FEMA assistance in Puerto Rico rejected or 'in process'
About those 'temporary blue roofs' in Puerto Rico
Black History Month: Loiza—the African heart of Puerto Rico and the arts that portray it
Privatizing Puerto Rico: DeVos clone Julia Keleher and Gov. Rosselló push charter schools
What the hell does FEMA mean by "Habitable" when they cut Puerto Rican evacuee funds?
Black History Month: The vejigante masks and bomba music of Puerto Rico
Black History Month: Afro-Latina Pura Belpré gave children the precious love of books and stories
March:
Another massive blackout hits Puerto Rico. It is now day 163 for many without power.
#FoxSpews and the deplorables go after San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz
Women's History Month: Sterilization and experimental testing on Puerto Rican women
NY Daily News posts a "days without power in Puerto Rico timer." Share it. (today is day 167)
Women in Vieques, Puerto Rico, lead the fight against U.S. Navy contamination of their island
Sonia Sotomayor: 'The incredible spirit and strength of the Puerto Rican people is unbreakable'
Puerto Rico has passed the six-month mark without full power. WTF is wrong with us?
April:
When it comes to Puerto Rico, the 'F' in FEMA stands for 'f**ked-up'
Republican charter school privatization plague infects Puerto Rico. #JuliaGoHome
Another massive power outage in Puerto Rico
Stand up! Point a finger at Donald Trump and brand him 'Murderer'
A National Disgrace. Seven Months without full power in Puerto Rico. Hurricane season starts June 1.
Puerto Ricans call for a National Strike against the 'Junta' Control Board for May Day
May:
Imagine your city without working traffic lights—for seven friggin' months. How would you react?
New Yorkers do what Trump should be doing for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
FEMA pulls U.S. Army Corps of Engineers out of Puerto Rico today. Hurricane season starts June 1.
Another death blow to Puerto Rico: FCC plans to cut Lifeline phones as hurricane season draws near
Leaking tarps, mold, asthma, and misery: It's more than eight months since Maria hit Puerto Rico
At least 4,645 people died in Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Maria
June:
They are leaving shoes to stand in memory of the 4645 who died in Puerto Rico after Maria
As estimated death toll rises for Hurricane Maria (aka 'Trump's Katrina'), heads need to roll
Marching for Puerto Rico! National Puerto Rican Day Parade - Sunday June,10th
Google and Lin-Manuel Miranda launch $2 million match fund for Puerto Rican small businesses
Racist hypocrite Trump proclaimed June 'Caribbean American Heritage Month'
Remember! Register! Resist! The National Puerto Rican Day Parade combined pride and protest.
Gov. and Junta move to shut-down Community Health Centers in Puerto Rico. WTF?
Tragedy and resiliency: It's been nine months since Maria hit Puerto Rico
July:
They lost their homes on the island. Now Puerto Ricans are fighting FEMA evictions here.
FEMA admits to failures in Puerto Rico but is still pulling out back-up generators—which is insane!
West Side Story—revisited.
Ten months after Maria, there are still mainland misconceptions about Puerto Ricans
August:
Racism ties the treatment of New Orleans to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, aka Trump's Katrina
Puerto Rico vows to defy Federal judge's ruling giving total budgetary control to The Junta
Some schools in Puerto Rico are due to open Monday with no lights, no water, and no food
Vota Boricua: Getting out the Puerto Rican Vote
'Trumpsplaining' the narrative about Puerto Rico's recovery
Why are we being lied to about the power situation in Puerto Rico?
Trump takes a lying dump on Puerto Rico's dead.
September:
Honor Puerto Rico's hurricane dead by supporting the living—and voting Republicans out of office
Remembering Hurricane Irma's massive devastation of the Caribbean
Trump tweets about Florence and Twitter smacks him back about Puerto Rico
Trump makes a mockery of Puerto Rico's dead.
Trump hit by massive hurricane—named Maria. Now tweeting death toll denial.
Calling out their names. Here are 487 who died in Puerto Rico that Trump denies.
Caribbean rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
#1YearAfterMaria. Remembering those who died and their families who live—and need our support
When it comes to Hispanic Heritage Month, Trump is an incredible hypocrite
Make a promise to support Puerto Rico
October:
Does Hispanic Heritage Month erase Afro-Latinxs?
Stop the handwringing and conjecture about the 'Latino vote,' and support groups doing GOTV
November:
A reminder: Now that we control the House, Democrats must aid Puerto Rico
Beyond deplorable: Trump threatens and attacks U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico and on the mainland
Giving thanks to Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen chefs
'Muses' and support for the arts in Puerto Rico.
December:
Dear women on the U.S. mainland: Please support our sisters in Puerto Rico
Feliz Navidad: Wishing you a Puerto Rican Christmas
You can find other Daily Kos 2018 stories about Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean by searching: #PuertoRico and #SOSPuertoRico
I will continue to post a daily Puerto Rico Twitter Roundup to Abbreviated Pundit Roundup (APR)
Please add Puerto Rico to your action resolutions for the year ahead!
Thank you.
Dee