READ ABOUT SOME OF OUR LATEST WORK

Conceptualizing Puerto Rican Migration (published in 2023)

Take Away 1

The migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States is primarily the consequence of over a century of undemocratic U.S. rule in Puerto Rico. Specifically, federal laws that have made it difficult for Puerto Ricans to take control over their own economy and resources and that simultaneously make it easy for Puerto Ricans to move to the U.S.

take away 2

Most recently Puerto Ricans see the need to migrate to the U.S. because of a persistent poor economy, difficulty finding housing, decayed infrastructure in Puerto Rico, high crime, poor health services, and a desire to reunify with family in the U.S. Equally powerful as a pull factor for migration, is the expectation that life in the U.S. and U.S. citizenship will translate to immediate benefits and a good reception in the U.S.

TAKE AWAY 3

Unlike expectations, a majority of Puerto Ricans face rejection, racism, and discrimination upon arriving in the U.S. Many face difficulty finding appropriate jobs and housing. At times, new Puerto Ricans arriving in the U.S. experience rejection and discrimination from other Puerto Ricans living in the U.S., particularly Black and AfroPuerto Ricans. This context of reception in turn appears to result in significant post migration stress and mental health distress.

Colonial Shadows and Puerto Rican Identity (Accepted pending minor revisions)

TAKE AWAY 1

For centuries the inhabitants of Puerto Rico have been subjected to a language that systematically sought to dehumanize and marginalized them in order to excuse their displacement and exploitation. This language propagated degrading stereotypes, portraying them as morally corrupt, incapable, uncivilized, intellectually inferior, dependent, physically weak, and lazy.

TAKE AWAY 2

According to our study, the beliefs and ideas Puerto Ricans hold about ourselves and other Puerto Ricans have been influenced by this dehumanizing language.

TAKE AWAY 3

To avoid this perturbing ideas of self, we may engage in behaviors that seek to prove or reestablish our humanity, particularly in the eyes of those that see us through these dehumanizing stereotypes. On the paper we discuss what these dynamics may mean for our Puerto Rican identity.