What would Betances say?

[Tordok]

Originally Posted by margaret

But Betances did not confine himself to the country of his birth, he was recognized for his work against cholera in France, represented Cuba, organized support for Cuban independence, represented the Dominican Republic, and had this vision of an Antillean Federation that included non-Latin countries. Seems to me, he wasn't just a nationalist who had to stay or go back to Puerto Rico. That's what was so remarkable about him.

Thank you Tordok for the introduction to Betances -- food for thought!

Perhaps the next leader will appear, Harvard or Yale educated...

Margaret,
you do bring a very valid point, and that is that there can be a role for individuals from the diaspora to contribute in the national development projects back in the homelands. That's exactly what Betnaces did. He worked for several worthy causes regardless of his physical presence elsewhere. The brain-drain issue is a fact of globalization, and many of those of us who are away from the homeland tend to remain backstage rather than get involved in the public arena of the region, where "dirty politics" and a propaganda system that ridicules and squashes dissent is the norm.

best,
-Tordok

[A.Hidalgo]

Originally Posted by margaret

But Betances did not confine himself to the country of his birth, he was recognized for his work against cholera in France, represented Cuba, organized support for Cuban independence, represented the Dominican Republic, and had this vision of an Antillean Federation that included non-Latin countries. Seems to me, he wasn't just a nationalist who had to stay or go back to Puerto Rico. That's what was so remarkable about him.

Thank you Tordok for the introduction to Betances -- food for thought!

Perhaps the next leader will appear, Harvard or Yale educated...

I agree that he was not just a Puerto Rican nationalist but a nationalist nonetheless, for the union of the Greater Antilles. My point is that the "braindrain emigration" does not apply in his case because he returned to his birthplace and applied his brain to the fullest back home like all true nationalist.

[El sabelotó]

Originally Posted by Tordok

Thank you Hidalgo for reminding me of Berrios. I agree that Rubén qualifies as one of the progressives of our era. Even in the most adverse of political envirnoments, i.e., the great majority of Puertoricans outright reject independence, however Mr. Berrios with his eloquence and sensitivity has earned the respect and affection of his people by being elected several times to the Senate, even if he has been denied the governorship of the island. His moral stance at a high personal stake in Vieques, shows that true leaders do put their money where their mouth is.

Sabelotó, I find that Isa Conde, an avowed communist, and Berrios, a social-democrat, do differ substantially in their political views and approach to governance.

saludos,

- Tordok

True. I was thinking more in the context of who/what they represent.