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As we prepare for the SOTU address this coming Tuesday, Chris Reeves (Daily Kos Community Outreach Organizer) and Kelly Macias (Daily Kos Editorial Staff Writer) will be in Puerto Rico to report on behalf of Daily Kos and bring attention to the unconscionable neglect our country is responsible for there. It will be our response to the SOTU.
And in CUA style, Chris has arranged for a meet-up on Monday the 29th, 7PM at Patio de Sam in Old San Juan prompted by long-time (2006) member newpioneer
who lives there. His recent personal account is a must read: Puerto Rico - Battered, Abandoned, Not Defeated.
Below is Chris Reeves’s announcement of this action:
The photo above of aid workers in Puerto Rico was taken months ago, in early October. Today, thousands of American citizens sleep in homes without a roof, they occupy housing without power, and they wait for the President to recognize their worth and do something about this ongoing tragedy.
The Daily Kos community over the years has been built not just by complaining about problems, but, when needed, our community comes together to help each other.
I’ve always believed this community is built not just on our shared electoral goals, but on the values we share. America cannot be great if it is not good, and abandoning so many Americans to endure a tragedy flies in the face of what it means to be a force for good in the life of our fellow humankind.
From January 28th through January 31, Editorial writer Kelly Macias and myself will travel to Puerto Rico, and I’m asking the community to spread the word. Trump will give his “State of the Union” on January 30 — and we will work to remind America that the state of our union is only as strong as the way we treat each other, and in Puerto Rico, we show we have a long way to go.
The Democratic coalition is a wide group with many interests, but at our core, one of the key interests that we share is an equitable existence. We want a chance for every American citizen to have an opportunity and to be treated fairly, provided a chance not just to succeed without undo burden.
Traveling to Vieques
One of the cruel twists of natural disasters like the hurricane that tore through Puerto Rico is that those struggling before the storm suffer the most in its wake. Among Hurricane Maria’s most devastated victims are the citizens of Vieques, a population of American citizens already suffering the consequences of living on an island contaminated with chemicals, heavy metals and toxic waste. The contamination and subsequent health-care crisis on Vieques are the result of more than six decades of military bombing.
During this trip, part of our goal is to put a face on the communities we at Daily Kos hope to empower. Kelly Macias, who is traveling on this trip has written thoughtfully and repeatedly on the disaster in Puerto Rico. If you haven’t read her writing, you’re missing out on some powerful pieces of reporting about the disaster. On the trip, Kelly will be traveling to Vieques, to meet with residents, talk about the issues that they face, and work to inform the Daily Kos community first hand the situation in Puerto Rico.
I’m honored to have someone of her skill and knowledge, as well as compassion for the community, traveling to help us convey the fact that now is the time to do the right thing for American citizens, enduring an unthinkable tragedy.
Building Community
The Democratic coalition is wide, as I noted, but our most core voters and core supporters are persons of color who understand the need of our party to work towards an America that is fundamentally good and just. Part of building the Daily Kos community for tomorrow is bringing in more voices, more perspectives, more communities and making our shared community responsive to the needs of the people who support us at the ballot box and in all of our efforts.
On the night of the 29th, 7PM at Patio de Sam in Old San Juan, we will have a Connect Unite Act meeting — which will include of course Kelly and I, but also Chef Bobby Neary and others to discuss the issues that face Puerto Rico. We may be a ways away from building a Connect Unite Act group in San Juan, but part of growing a community is again, showing the community is a good one that works to earn the support of those we hope to join.
Frankly, Daily Kos needs more commenters, writers, thinkers and readers who represent unique life experiences of persons of color no matter where they are in our country. Part of building a community that deserves those readers and writers is walking the walk, showing our community the intent to commit to doing the right thing.
Response to the State of the Union
Donald Trump will give his state of the Union January 30. Major media outlets will, of course, highlight all of the Trump voters who are still with him in a focus group and read through his accomplishments.
But for Americans in places like Puerto Rico, the focus on Trump’s latest bad tweet, his most immediate scandal, acts as a reminder that is easier and easier to forget an ongoing tragedy happening to our fellow US Citizens.
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I’m extremely proud of this action and look forward to our on-the-ground reporting there. Please stay tuned as Chris and Kelly tour and gather information on the island to report back to Daily Kos.
