Hawai’i, a sovereign nation minding its own business, was illegally annexed by the United States of America in 1898. About 60 years later American statehood was granted to the islands, and a 50th star was added to the American flag. Since then a movement to undo this act has existed in Hawai’i.
Puerto Rico, a colony of Spain, was ceded to the United States of America (following the Spanish-American War) in 1898. About 55 years later Puerto Rico was granted ‘territorial’ status, a condition still in place today. Since then a movement to undo this act has existed in Puerto Rico.
I think the time has come to let the Hawai’ians out, and the Puerto Ricans in.
As far as the Hawai’ian issue goes, a scrappy group of emigrants from England put it in language in 1776 that still resonates today:
“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another… it is the Right of the People to… institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
The early Americans did not want to be part of England; they wanted to run their own affairs. They eventually prevailed because they would not give up that fight.
How then can the present United States government insist that an illegal act, mounted over 100 years ago against a sovereign nation, is the basis for the continued repression of that vanished, but not forgotten, nation’s continued desire to pursue its own destiny?
Let the people living in Hawai’i vote on this, and then live with their decision. By some accounts, the majority favor a return to their status as an independent nation. If this is true, then that is what should happen. If it is not true then the separatists are free to continue the fight until they prevail, or give up.
Puerto Rico’s situation is somewhat different. There never existed a ‘nation’ of Puerto Rico. European explorers found an island with several different native tribes in residence and claimed it for Spain. It was a Spanish colony for several hundred years until ceded to the United States.
As with Hawai’i, there are people in Puerto Rico who want to change their relationship with the United States. Some, possibly a majority, want to clear away the last few obstacles to full statehood, while others want to pursue other arrangements. Again, this is for the people of Puerto Rico to decide. Hold an election, and live with the result.
If the residents want to change how they are organized and managed they should be allowed to do that. We could even leave the 50 stars on the flag unchanged if both groups got what they wanted.
Whatever happens, both places would continue to offer many of the same enticements to Americans: tropical climates, inviting beaches, a convivial atmosphere, and a well-developed tourism industry.
Sometimes it is good for things to stay the same, but other times it is not.
1821