As a businessperson, I have the privilege, responsibility and power to exercise whatever influence I have to make this world a place where everyone can have an equal opportunity to thrive and is treated with dignity. As a Latina and person of color, I understand the privilege my fair skin, education and command of English affords me. As a Puerto Rican in the diaspora, I am fully aware that the 8.5 million of my fellow U.S. citizens who happen to be Puerto Rican (5 million living across the fifty U.S. states on the mainland and 3.5 million on the island) have historically been treated like second class citizens. That needs to change, and like, ASAP.
Yesterday, I was exhausted after a full day advocating for my beloved Puerto Rico alongside other organizations across Florida at the invitation of Hispanic Federation. While we may not agree on everything or might have different approaches on how we do things, I felt like we were able to communicate three things to U.S. State Representatives and Senators:
1. There has to be an independent audit of Puerto Rico’s debt because the Puerto Rican people should not pay for debt caused by corruption and greed.
2. The funds that have already been approved and allocated to rebuild Puerto Rico have to be disbursed in full immediately and granted to responsible grassroots organizations who have been working to restore the island. These funds should under no circumstances go towards paying the debt.
3. Puerto Ricans on the island should receive the same services and coverage from Medicare and Medicaid as if they lived on the mainland U.S.
Enough. At two years after Hurricane Maria impacted Puerto Rico there is no reason why people should still be suffering. From a business standpoint, they are an important part of the growing and coveted Latino consumer segment. From a political standpoint, they will remember who cared.
It was wonderful to see my Congresswoman Val Demings (FL) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (NY) while we were making our rounds on Capitol Hill. Women of color like me who I admire for their commitment to making this world a place where everyone can have an equal opportunity to thrive and is treated with dignity.
