Colonial Dilemma: Critical Perspectives on Contemporary Puerto Rico

In these 15 academic essays, which first appeared in Radical America magazine, Puerto Rican activist intellectuals assess politics, economics and emerging social movements. Tracing Puerto Rico's colonialist history, Pedro Caban of Rutgers suggests that each of the options presented to Puerto Rico in a 1991 referendum--commonwealth, statehood or independence--would maintain U.S. economic and security interests. Juan Manuel Carrion, of the University of Puerto Rico, explores how Puerto Rican cultural nationalism is stronger than political nationalism. Edwin Melendez (co-author of In the Shadow of the Sun: Caribbean Development Alternatives and U.S. Policies ) suggests that only when Puerto Rico's economy is independent of outside capital can the island escape colonialism. Carlos Ala Santiago-Rivera, of the University of Puerto Rico, observes that Puerto Rican labor unions have not done enough to recruit workers, especially women, in the growing service, banking and commercial sectors. Other contributors address Puerto Rican feminism, educational reform, and the Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States. Co-editor Edgardo Melendez is associate professor of political science at the University of Puerto Rico. (Feb.)