7 ms·
“The US system does not raise the same concerns about racism” I have to disagree strongly with this, as we’re talking about differences of degree and not kind;
by hyko 6y ago
“The US system does not raise the same concerns about racism”
I have to disagree strongly with this, as we’re talking about differences of degree and not kind; the unique status of Peurto Rico is literally the result of a racist law effectively preventing non-whites from becoming US citizens: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1790 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1790
This law was finally repealed...in the 1950s, decades after the US claimed the territory as spoils of war, and the 1917 act that gave them quasi-citizenship. It is in truth just a facsimile of true US citizenship, because congress can revoke it and they are not allowed to vote in presidential elections while residing in their home territory. No citizen residing in Texas or Hawaii would consider that remotely fair, because it isn’t.
The US is an unusual case in the history of empires, because it was a colonial power that seems to downplay that fact publicly. Perhaps that is because it doesn’t fit with the national mythos. Whatever the reason, part of the legacy is having different degrees of citizenship based on race and geography that must eventually be reconciled one way or the other.
- viklove 6y agoPuerto Rico retains exemptions that do not apply to US states, though. They have a special designation because they are not a US State, like Texas or Hawaii. If they want the full benefit of American citizenship, they should apply for statehood -- which they have been given the option to do but refused time and time again. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Puerto_Rico https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_Puerto_Rico