IU’s Puerto Rican students are condemning a comedian’s comments last Sunday at a rally for former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe spoke at the Madison Square Garden rally hosted by the Trump campaign. During his speech, Hinchcliffe said, “I don’t know if you know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
The Puerto Rican Student Association at IU (PRSA) released a statement Tuesday strongly condemning the remarks.
“This comment is deeply offensive and harmful but also reflective of a broader narrative that undermines the dignity and resilience of the Puerto Rican people,” the statement read.
Isabella Galloza, the founder and president of PRSA, said every Puerto Rican student she has spoken to was upset about the comment.
“During times of political turmoil, we’re put on the back burner because a lot of people don’t know that we are U.S. citizens,” Galloza said. “It’s disheartening to see that kind of pattern continue in this day and age especially.”
Galloza said the comments are much more than just a joke made in poor taste. She believes they reflect U.S. attitudes and treatment of Puerto Rico.
The Trump campaign attempted to distance itself from the comment, saying, “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, meaning it does not pay federal taxes and has a representative in Congress who does not vote. According to Britannica, most Puerto Ricans support a continued permanent union with the U.S. However, there is also a persistent minority advocating for total independence from the U.S.
This November, Puerto Ricans can vote on Puerto Rico’s future by choosing between statehood, independence or independence with free association. The vote is non-binding, meaning the results do not guarantee changes are made, and the final decision is up to the president and Congress. Rather, the vote is meant to show the preferences of citizens.
Galloza said she knows many Americans don’t pay much attention to Puerto Rico; the island is often forgotten by people living in the mainland U.S.
“I want people to know about Puerto Rico in a positive light,” she said. “Rather than knowing it as this garbage island in the middle of the ocean.”
