* New York Times - Reality Sets In
* Washington Post - Helping the Phillipines will require a massive relief effort
* Chicago Tribune - America's tallest building title goes to New York
* Primera Hora - Un paraiso llamado Puerto Rico
* Washington Post - Helping the Phillipines will require a massive relief effort
* Chicago Tribune - America's tallest building title goes to New York
* Primera Hora - Un paraiso llamado Puerto Rico
On the editorial, aptly titled, Un paraíso llamado Puerto Rico, Jay Fonseca criticizes how Puerto Ricans only wish to emulate star athletes or beauty queens, instead of intellectuals, who have also brought pride to the island. Between the intellectuals he mentions are: Eduardo Lalo, a writer who recently won the Rómulo Gallegos Award for his novel Simone; Segundo Cardona, the architect who designed Haiti's new cathedral; and Yahaira Sierra Sastre, who is one of the people in charge of preparing for a future expedition to Mars, among others. He also argues that we should spend less time doing banal things (like playing Candy Crush), and spend more time doing investigations or developing something new because this way we can transform Puerto Rico into a real paradise.
Although I agree we should spend more time making our island better and I think he's well-informed about the island's situation, I don't think he realizes that the whole "our-society-is-following-the wrong-kind-of-role-models" situation doesn't only pertain Puerto Rico. It's in our norm (as people) to admire people wealthier or with more power than us. Why do you think people are obsessed with exaggerated figures like the Kardashians or Maripily? Because even if they seem like ditsy, they still have more money than what average Joe and Jane will see in their lives, they hold some pull with their fans and their opinions, and they have business empires under their names.
What I don't agree with is that Fonseca thinks that the answers to our problems as a society lie in us, like it's a New Age mantra. Of course, we do hold the power to do more, but most of these intellectuals are succeeding outside of Puerto Rico or with studies they gained also outside of the Puerto Rico. So our problem does not lie in the fact that people spend too much time writing about their mundane lives on Facebook instead of posting a "selfie" with the caption: "Look who's trying to cure diabetes!!!!!!", or talking about celebrities instead of having an in-depth discussion about the new book an author, no one knows about, published, or not knowing who these people are. It's more about the opportunities that our government doesn't provide, making it harder for us to be our best selves right here, between our shores. I understand he's not saying we should not celebrate our accomplishments in music and sports, instead he's saying that that shouldn't be the only things we care about. "Mi punto no es que no celebremos el deporte, ni la música, ni la belleza, sino demostrar que hay héroes dignos de emular en nuestra Isla a quienes gente común puede llegar a imitar."
In true Fonseca form, his language begins with an expository tone, with a few biting remarks, until it ends up being completely persuasive. Also true to form is the level of passion that is infused into the article, which is the tale-tell sign that he truly cares about our situation, regardless of whether or not you agree with him.
Although I agree we should spend more time making our island better and I think he's well-informed about the island's situation, I don't think he realizes that the whole "our-society-is-following-the wrong-kind-of-role-models" situation doesn't only pertain Puerto Rico. It's in our norm (as people) to admire people wealthier or with more power than us. Why do you think people are obsessed with exaggerated figures like the Kardashians or Maripily? Because even if they seem like ditsy, they still have more money than what average Joe and Jane will see in their lives, they hold some pull with their fans and their opinions, and they have business empires under their names.
What I don't agree with is that Fonseca thinks that the answers to our problems as a society lie in us, like it's a New Age mantra. Of course, we do hold the power to do more, but most of these intellectuals are succeeding outside of Puerto Rico or with studies they gained also outside of the Puerto Rico. So our problem does not lie in the fact that people spend too much time writing about their mundane lives on Facebook instead of posting a "selfie" with the caption: "Look who's trying to cure diabetes!!!!!!", or talking about celebrities instead of having an in-depth discussion about the new book an author, no one knows about, published, or not knowing who these people are. It's more about the opportunities that our government doesn't provide, making it harder for us to be our best selves right here, between our shores. I understand he's not saying we should not celebrate our accomplishments in music and sports, instead he's saying that that shouldn't be the only things we care about. "Mi punto no es que no celebremos el deporte, ni la música, ni la belleza, sino demostrar que hay héroes dignos de emular en nuestra Isla a quienes gente común puede llegar a imitar."
In true Fonseca form, his language begins with an expository tone, with a few biting remarks, until it ends up being completely persuasive. Also true to form is the level of passion that is infused into the article, which is the tale-tell sign that he truly cares about our situation, regardless of whether or not you agree with him.
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