“The Other Side of the Caribbean”




Caribbean literature captures the essence or reality of its islands. Topics such as politics, economic situations, social and cultural issues are dealt with great artistic precision in order to grasp the changes of these growing nations. This is so, that authors like Derek Walcott, V.S Naipaul and Jamaica Kincaid decided to depict the “growing pains” and hardships of children and young adults in order to give us a bigger picture of the Caribbean reality.

For instance, Derek Walcott ‘s “Laventille” reveals the hardships children have to go through as result of a “fate” written by history. They have to live through conditions of extreme poverty and discrimination. While they have to live day to day with this burden, politicians think that by building “Youth Centers” and “rigid [..] cement carrousel[‘s] (play grounds) they make everything “better”. Those empty solutions only worsen the problem. Since there is no real solution, these children often rebel and they either wind up in “prison [or the] graveyard”. Those whose fate is not as bad, succumb into the leadership of imposed religious beliefs and social standards making them remain at the bottom of “chain”. Walcott proceeds to give more details and answers to comments made by writes like V. S Naipaul but does he envision light at the end of the tunnel? Before we find the answer we still have to analyze the works by V.S Naipaul and Jamaica Kincaid.

Naipaul’s “Miguel Street” asides of analyzing the social structure of one particular street of a slum; it vividly describes each character and the influence they have on its narrator: a boy. While the narrator was still a boy Miguel Street meant everything to him; each character had a particular influence on him. For example, Hat was viewed by our young narrator as a role model. But, as he grew older Hat was no longer that daring figure he used to look up to. Also, it is important to highlight that the novel deals with the issue of single mothers. For instance, the author’s mother was a single mother. She had to make sacrifices in order to give him the essentials. Laura is also another example of a single mother. Laura was the “typical” woman who ran from man to man as a young woman and had a baby every year. Her bad decision making ultimately had an impact on her daughter, resulting in the teenage girl’s death. Education is also another issue that is pointed out in this novel. Children had a very rough time trying to get a simple education. For example, Elias is a character who wanted to complete his high school education. Even though Elias gave his all, he could never pass the required test thus, never completing his education. On the other hand, the narrator who wasn’t so interested in school managed to pass the exams and with the right contacts left the island.
The novel also shows the abuse to which children were exposed. This is the case of Laura’s children who were constantly beaten and called humiliating names. Also, George would exploit his daughter Dolly as a “maid” and apparently as a prostitute. Ultimately, through out the course of the novel the narrator becomes a product of that society or “street”. His mother saw to it that he didn’t go jail or become like the rest of his neighbors. Therefore her only solution was to make the proper arrangements and send him away.

Finally, Jamaica Kincaid brings to life Annie John. Annie John is no ordinary girl. She is a bright independent girl who is not willing to adjust to the standards imposed by society. Annie could not stand her mother’s sudden change of attitude towards her as part of the rigorous training of “the young lady business”. As a result she rebelled and went against everything her mother would approve of. For instance, she became a skilled marble player, she would misbehave in school and would not follow “lady like” behavior. As a result of this she developed a double standard personality in which she would keep appearances in front of her father. Perhaps, it could also be said that due to her alienation from boys or just to start a controversy she experimented with girls. Annie also had to deal with a terrible ailment which left her laying in bed for quite a while. Just like the boy from Miguel Street Annie’s only solution to her struggles was to get away from the “mother” that was consuming her little by little: her own country.

Prior in this essay it was discussed in general terms through Walcott’s poem “Laventille” the ordeals of children in the part of the Caribbean that we are yet to discover. Apparently his poem didn’t show light at the end of the road. But just like the other works the light at the end of the road for those children who are stricken with a multitude of burdens lies in breaking the chains. Some may think the best way to break free is to fly away and get “[your] own trunk”. For others, like Walcott the answer to free children lies in changing the course of history.

La nueva esclavitud
dom, 12 de noviembre de 2006EL NUEVO DIA / VIDA Y ESTILO
Por: Lizely López


Las múltiples sinfonías provocadas por las máquinas de café expreso guían a los empleados del Café X como el flautista de Hamelín. Hipnotizados por el tedio, corren contra reloj, taza tras taza, bocadillo tras bocadillo y uno que otro libro. El tiempo parece conspirar contra los nuevos esclavos del siglo XXI. Una esclavitud totalmente diferente a la que leemos en los libros de historia. Esclavitud diferente a aquella que incluye el tráfico de niños para prostitución, diferente a la que emplea hombres, mujeres y niños en trabajos forzados en lugares hacinados y en fábricas de países en vías de desarrollo que pagan menos del salario mínimo.
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Esta nueva esclavitud está disfrazada de dignidad, de GAP, Nike, Ralph Lauren, minivans, carros híbridos, teléfonos móviles, y de clase media. Hombres y mujeres en edad laboral que día a día corren a sus trabajos. Trabajos cuyo salario no están a la par de la inflación, los intereses de las hipotecas y de las tarjetas de crédito. Empleados que sin importar la profesión o el oficio que realicen, hacen una plegaria por recibir horas extras. Esclavos que después de salir de su primer empleo van al segundo y al tercero deseando que el día de veinticuatro horas sea más largo para obtener una cuarta entrada. Están marcados con el carimbo de la mala nutrición, el estrés y la alta presión, y el café es el suero que los mantiene vivos para enfrentarse a su rutina hipnótica.
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Sus rutinas comienzan con las primeras notas disonantes del reloj despertador al salir el alba. Tratando de ignorar este aparato abren sus ojos enrojecidos. Lentamente se levantan y arrastran sus cuerpos hacia el baño para tratar de lavar el cansancio y los sueños atrasados. Sus mentes aún entumecidas piden a gritos el aroma de ese líquido negro que calienta e inyecta los pistones cerebrales. En modo automático corren a la cocina a preparar la fiel taza de café negro cargado, para luego partir. Atados por el tráfico deciden adelantar trabajo, arreglar las agendas y hacer par de llamadas en sus automóviles. En el ínterin, reciben un sinfín de llamadas que recargan su agenda y les roban el poco tiempo que tienen para respirar. Aceleran… luz roja.
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Paran… luz verde. Finalmente todos llegan a su destino. Unos a la oficina, otros a las megatiendas, las escuelas, los restaurantes, los cafés. Todos en sincronización letárgica se afanan para obtener la anhelada retribución semanal o quincenal, que se esfuma como el vapor. ¿Acaso pueden disfrutar de lo que han ganado? ¿Pueden ver el sobrante de su sudor? ¿Pueden respirar sin pensar en lo efímero que es su empleo, aunque estén disfrazados de bachiller, maestría y doctorado?
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Hora de receso….
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Todos salen en estampida. Algunos a restaurantes, cafeterías o algún lugar oculto donde nadie les puede robar la única hora del día que merecidamente les pertenece. El minutero agarra velocidad, es casi hora de entrada. Apresuradamente se tragan los bocados de comida para nuevamente continuar con sus labores. Se acerca la hora pico y con ella se amontona el agotamiento. En momentos como éstos recurren a su mejor aliado: la cafetera blanca llena con el preciado líquido negro; bebida caliente y aromática a la que atribuyen cualidades casi resucitadoras. Luego de la infusión, prosiguen las labores hasta que el minutero, con su movimiento parsimonioso, hace su parada en la hora que todos anhelan, la de la salida. La hora que representa la abolición parcial de la jornada laboral. Aunque saben que enfrentarán el tráfico infernal, el mero hecho de llegar a ese "santuario" llamado casa, libre del cacicazgo del jefe y de las arpías llamados colegas, compensa cualquier obstáculo que haya en la carretera. Finalmente, después de la procesión automotriz adornada de gesticulaciones, expresiones coloridas y malabarismos, llegan a su lugar de destino.
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La llegada al hogar no prefigura un cese de actividad. Más bien, significa ese espacio pequeño que con dignidad y autoridad pueden declarar "suyo". Sin embargo, al llegar al hogar todos tienen un sinnúmero de faenas por realizar: lavar platos, cocinar, cortar la grama, atender a los niños, hacer tareas académicas, terminar uno que otro reporte laboral, etc. Toda otra tarea hogareña que no se pueda realizar antes de las doce de la madrugada quedará pospuesta para el día siguiente o se compartirá con el fin de semana. La rutina esclavizante se repite hasta llegar el viernes.
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Llega el fin de semana y el esclavo se siente liberado. Es preciso hacer cuanto se pueda, ya que el sábado y el domingo se escurren como granos de arena. Durante el fin de semana algunos duermen hasta las doce del mediodía, otros madrugan para no malgastar ni un solo segundo. Las tiendas por departamentos se inundan de consumidores que después de una semana ardua de trabajo devoran artículos electrónicos, de belleza, primera necesidad y ropa. Aunque saben que estarán apretados de presupuesto tras comprar como dementes, se consuelan diciéndose a sí mismos "yo me lo merezco". Aparentemente, el salirse de presupuesto y comprar hasta la saciedad se ha convertido en una muestra de amor por el tiempo perdido con los seres queridos.
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La esclavitud moderna, disfrazada de clase media, pone una sonrisa temporera en los rostros de aquellos que en la ilusión de brindar a sí mismos y a los de ellos un mejor porvenir, dejan la piel y el alma en el lugar de empleo y en el bolsillo de los cobradores. Las casas de cuatro cuartos con dos baños y medio, los dos o tres carros, los celulares, las tarjetas de crédito y las comodidades, todo se acumula sobre las espaldas de ese grupo de gente que quiere vivir más, vivir mejor. Como el ciclo del agua, mientras unos esclavos descansan otros continúan sus faenas esclavizadas. Durante la semana unos cumplen con sus labores interminables y, en el fin de semana, los empleados del Café X, hipnotizados por el tedio, rinden servicio a aquellos que aprovechan sus dos días de esparcimiento para luego volver a comenzar labores y reintegrarse a la nueva esclavitud del siglo XXI.
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La autora es estudiante de comunicaciones.

Viaje al pasado




Hay cosas que con el pasar del tiempo nunca cambian. Esto se puede ver claramente en el ser humano. No importa cuántos siglos, generaciones o años pasen, siempre persistirán unas características generales. Por ejemplo, siempre existirán aquellas personas que viven eternamente amargadas, personas que son humanitarias, los oportunistas, los que prefieren vivir la vida ajena antes que la suya y así por el estilo. No obstante, mientras estaba en un salón de clases esperando a que llegara un profesor, no pude evitar observar con detenimiento a aquellos estudiantes que estaban semi-dormidos esperando que comenzara la clase. Entonces, mi mente se trasladó a aquellos días remotos de escuela en los cuales esperar por un maestro podía ser una bendición o un suplicio.

Aquellos días de escuela son inolvidables, sea que las experiencias fueran buenas o malas. Mientras uno esperaba a que llegara el maestro podían ocurrir varias cosas: pasarla super bien porque el payaso de la clase se trepara en tribuna a hacer una parodia, aprovechar el tiempo para copiarte la asignación del estofón de la clase, también podías aprovechar el tiempo para estudiar (eso casi nunca sucedía), podías escuchar los chismes del “Vocero” de la clase, o lo peor del mundo: que el abusador de la clase se despertara de mal humor y te utilizara de “punching bag”. Lamentablemente, en el momento en que percibías que el abusador/a o el guapito/a de la clase te miraba, sabías que la odisea podía durar un día completo o que tal vez serías el objeto de predilección por el resto del año.

Esta escena por lo general ocurría en cámara lenta. Divisabas a tu “depredador” con sus ojos fijos en ti. Tratabas de alcanzar con tu vista si trabajaría solo o si estaba con sus compinches. En cuestión de segundos pensabas en la gran variedad de torturas que utilizaría para saciar su humor morboso. Por ejemplo, si trabajaba solo/a podría mortificarte vociferando el nuevo nombre que escogió para ti hasta que se cansara, si por casualidad te encontrabas de pie corría velozmente para darte una buena patada en la canilla o en peor instancia se sentaba detrás de ti para puyarte con objetos punzantes hasta verte con el rostro rojo lleno de lagrimas. Otra táctica que el/ella podía emplear era la de trabajar con los compinches. Aparentemente el apoyo de grupo le daba más valor para hacer cosas como: escupirte la cara o tirarte todos los libros al zafacón. La situación podía empeorar cuando decidían utilizarte de pandereta, o sea te velaban en un rincón y te daban una tunda. En fin, la situación podría persistir si no te las ingeniabas o no agarrabas valor para confrontar a tu “Goliat”.

Luego de haber dado un viaje al pasado tengo que instantáneamente volver al presente, porque justo cuando iba haciendo memoria de una anécdota graciosa, el profesor llega a la clase casi jadeando para luego darse cuenta de que tiene que dar otro “viaje” para buscar unos apuntes. La clase continúa y se acaba, sigo mi rutina diaria y no puedo quitarme de la mente al último integrante de la memoria escolar: el abusador. El personaje del abusador/a suele verse como algo normal entre los estudiantes. Sin embargo, ¿ es normal que un niño/a disfrute de intimidar a sus pares? ¿Cuáles son las causas para este comportamiento disruptivo?

La respuesta a la primera pregunta es NO. No es normal que un niño disfrute de intimidar, ya sea verbalmente o físicamente, a sus pares. Definitivamente hay unas razones sólidas para la manifestación de esta conducta problemática. Las causas que desatan este comportamiento podrían ser: autoestima baja, problemas en la casa, maltrato físico o verbal de parte de los padres o el rezago académico, entre otras. Aunque esto no pretende ser una evaluación psicológica, se analizarán los puntos ya mencionados.

Una autoestima baja puede provocar el que un niño sienta envidia por su compañero y para poder sentirse superior a él/ella decida hacerle la vida imposible. Recuerdo una ocasión en la cual se le preguntó a una niña porqué le gustaba “patear” y escupir a cierto grupo de estudiantes. Su respuesta fue la siguiente: “Ellos tienen buenas notas, tienen la aprobación de los maestros, una de las niñas es rubia, y yo no”. Los problemas familiares y el abuso físico o verbal son factores clave en la conducta de un niño. Las escuelas son micro-sociedades; en estas se reflejan las conductas aprendidas tanto en la casa, como aquellas que rodean al niño fuera de su círculo familiar. Por lo tanto, si en la casa estos niños tienen problemas o son víctimas de maltrato, se reflejará el mismo a través de la conducta en el salón de clases. Otro factor puede ser el rezago académico. Lamentablemente, ciertos maestros (tanto del sector público como del privado) olvidan el hecho de que tienen un salón de clases variado, en el cual no todos los niños aprenden al mismo ritmo. Estos maestros prefieren y prestan más atención al estudiante que sobresale en las materias y se olvidan de brindar atención especial a aquellos estudiantes que más lo necesitan. Como resultado, algunos de los estudiantes que fracasan y se dan cuenta del favoritismo deciden “vengarse” de los estudiantes sobresalientes, ya sea a través de lenguaje humillante o golpizas.

Mencioné al principio una serie de características que no cambian con el tiempo. Entre estas se encontraban los que viven eternamente amargados. Quizás estos amargados son aquellos que eran “abusones” en la escuela, podrían también ser las víctimas de estos personajes que en silencio gritaban por atención y afecto. Sea cual sea el caso me transporto nuevamente a la universidad, donde veo un salón repleto de adultos que en silencio escuchan atentamente lo que dice el profesor. El tema: problemas de conducta en el salón de clases. El profesor pide que viajemos a aquel mundo nuevamente. Entonces, sacamos nuestro niño/a interno. Sorprenderá saber cuántos eran abusones y cuántos, sus víctimas.


Lizely Lopez
© 2006
Second Prize Winner
Certamen Literario UPR Cayey 2006

“The Fallacy of the American Dream”

“America, land of opportunities, where the streets are filled with gold”. This was how most immigrants saw the United States of America. Those immigrants who were seeking for a better way of life came to the “land of opportunity” with a blind fold, not knowing things were totally different from what they expected. The harsh reality first hit the Irish, Italian and Polish immigrants just to mention a few. Then, the Mexicans and Puerto Ricans also experimented the “American Dream”. It took a long time to unmask what was behind the American Dream. Authors like Mark Twain started criticizing the American system in his book “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”. The 20th century gave birth to a generation of writers that could not live a lie any longer and decided to reveal the true American way of life and make public the fallacy of the American Dream.


F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the first writers of the 20th century who openly accused the double standard of the American Society and its American Dream. Fitzgerald’s “Great Gatsby” depicts an American society that tries to hide adultery, racism, bootlegging and many other social issues behind a life of luxury, elevated social status and superficial behavior. Fitzgerald also uses the character of Jay Gatsby to symbolize the lower class American or immigrant who is desperately striving to reach the American Dream. The novel describes a person who tries at all cost to reach his dream. Even though Gatsby reached a “high” social position, he was still rejected and died in his attempt to belong to the American society. Fitzgerald suggests at the end of the novel, that the eyes that are engraved on a billboard represent the silent witnesses of all the injustices that are performed by a World Power that supposedly acts according to the slogan marked in the bottom of its National currency: “In God We Trust”.


The accusations to the American Dream did not stop. Things were about to change when the Civil Rights movement was born in the 1960’s. This decisive step gave birth to a new generation of black and Hispanics (specially Mexican and Puerto Ricans) who took a firm stand and decided not to tolerate the harsh treatment their predecessors went through. Embracing “pejorative” terms like “Chicanos” and “Nuyoricans” these groups of bold men and women would fight to open the eyes of the oppressors, the oppressed and those who forgot their heritage and blindly embraced the American way of life in order to be accepted. Gloria Anzaldúa and Pedro Pietri belonged to that group who were resolved to open a new path for the next generation to claim what was rightfully theirs. It was time to tell the American nation that what ever they obtained was not due to the “loving kindness and mercifulness” given through the American Dream. Everything those immigrants had was fruit of their hard labor. Hard labor, slave labor as outcasts of their society and not one Puerto Rican or Hispanic should belong to the long list of “Obituaries”.


Anzaldua’s poem “El sonavabitche” depicts how the immigrant who is finally a U.S citizen abuses from those who are willing to do anything in order to get a share of their dream. She describes that “hijo the la malinche” that becomes a traitor towards those of his own race. She shows how “el hijo de la chingada” abuses of “los mojados” by forcing them to hard labor and giving them harsh living conditions and then deports them back to Mexico. The end of the poem serves to illustrate how this “coyote” finds himself in the same positions as “los mojados” when he is discovered by a social worker. Her text serves to encourage “Chicanos” to unite and to never forget where they come from. There is no difference between a Mexican who is a legal resident and a “mojado” they are all immigrants. Therefore ,there shouldn’t be a difference between people who share the same heritage.


On the other hand Pietri through his “Puerto Rican Obituary” is loudly accusing the generation of Puerto Rican immigrants who blindly believed in the American Dream. This American Dream consumed their energies, their hopes and most of all their dignity as Puerto Ricans. Pietri uses common names such as Juan, Miguel, Olga, Manuel to show how a great number of Puerto Ricans were brainwashed with the belief that things would be better and they would find jobs and own a descent house. Sadly, these immigrants were slowly dying as they were being rejected and subjected to peasant wages and extremely hard labor. Their children were denied proper careers and were subject to suffer the fate of their parents. Their culture was trying to be absorbed by the Nation. They were being consumed by stress, some by jealousy, by neglect and most by nostalgia. Symbolically and literally they were dying, they were part of the Obituaries. In conclusion the characters shown in “The Great Gatsby”, “The sonovabitche” and “The Puerto Rican Obituary” are victims of the American dream. Are things today any different from those mentioned above? Some may reply with a forceful YES. Things have changed. There are more rights for those who decide to leave their countries in search of a better life. But others will reply with a deep hole in their throats “NO”… The answers may vary, but the results are clearly seen in the headlines of the news.

Classified: Land Claims What is Rightfully Hers



Instead of going to a movie, riding my car without no particular destination or perhaps reading a good book, I found myself doing something strangely awkward on a Saturday evening. I was glued to the classifieds. I wasn’t looking for used cars or apartments for rent. No, I was “job hunting”. The scenario turns a little bit more interesting when I turn to the section called “ventas”. This section was full of ads such as “Want to make millions by reading emails ….”, and the worst of all “Good morning or good evening, how ever the day is when you read this. I am a______ major looking for a ______ position. Please call me”. Unbelievable but true. People in extreme desperation graveling for jobs through news paper ads.

This last ad may be proof of what many Puerto Ricans say, “there are no jobs in Puerto Rico”. This statement is also followed by the wave of Puerto Rican professionals fleeing to the United States looking for jobs with higher salaries, high rates of unemployed professionals in the island, high rates of people living off welfare and other aids subsidized by the federal government and many other grievances or excuses. Why excuses? First, this ad is proof that many citizens living in this island want things on silver platters. The questions keeps on repeating itself… Why? Before this question is answered other issues must be discussed.

When applying for jobs many applicants go for the easy shifts, high pays and “seniority” benefits. It seems that they don’t realize that everyone has to start from the bottom. Many candidates that are going for different positions lack projection. They don’t show the proper motivation, leadership or are willing to develop multitasking skills. They have the notation that just because they have a diploma with a title the job is theirs automatically. More importantly they are missing a key attitude: perseverance. These candidates give up quickly because they want everything with just a finger snap away. For most of them it is so much easier to cross the other end of the ocean and get a job the “easy way”. But… What if going the to the other side wasn’t possible?... That questions still remains

Anyhow, even many of our insular minded citizens create obstacles, there is light in the horizon. It is not an utopia to think of the possibility of getting a job in your own country even though the economy is on a thread. The truth is that the whole world is experimenting hardships. You but only you set the limits. With the right attitude and “tools”, you can build your own future in the land that claims you… Puerto Rico.


(*** this essay is trying to employ the Rogerian model)

Who’s to Blame?



What is innocence? Perhaps the question should be rephrased. What is happening to innocence? Where has it gone? These questions are frequently asked by those who are extremely burdened with the outrageous outburst of teen pregnancies, the increase of STD’s on teens and children’s sexual abuse. Much is to be said about the cold blooded attacks on one of fundamental building blocks of society, children. But the core of the matter is: Who’s to blame? The educational system, society or parents?

The never ending battle of the “hot potato” starts as it follows… The educational system or as many people say “the schools”, have not instituted a solid sexual education program. Others argue, society is a sexual billboard, flashing a wide variety of sexual propaganda into the eyes of its inhabitants and when there is no argument left, the whole weight falls on bad parenting and a never ending world of family issues. The bottom line is, are they individually responsible? Or do they share equal responsibility? These three elements will be briefly analyzed shortly.

First, it is important to point out that sexual education has been unanimously voted as taboo through out the years. Parting from this statement, we can conclude that the task of imparting competent sexual education in the school system is far from becoming a reality. The history of sexual education in public schools shows that both extreme conservative and liberal movements have not reached an agreement in what is supposed to be a well structured “sex-ed “curriculum. Therefore, during the 60’s the education of sex was limited to biological elements, only to high school seniors. Then, the sexual revolution of the 70’s led to an amalgam of concepts that got out of hand in the 80’s. It is during this decade that the HIV virus bursts causing hysteria and therefore a massive campaign promoting safe sex. Did it work? Did the use of condoms and other preservatives help control STD’s and unwanted pregnancies. The statistics clearly show that due to the lack of maturity teenagers are least likely to use the proper methods in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies and STD’s. Furthermore the statistics for the year 2003 show that the amount of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies tripled and the age lowered.

These facts clearly show the failure of Sex education not only from the state but also from the parent’s side. Keeping information away or giving execive information before hand has proven to fail. The key to a successful sex education depends on a solid formation from infancy avoiding taboos and being straight forward. The base is provided by the family and the state will reinforce it. Of course, this is no easy task for some parents but planting the seed of trust and friendship at a very early age will lead to excellent results. Therefore, as these children grow they won’t become targets of sexual predators, they will be able to take wise decisions and eventually become stable adults.

We are still carrying the bad decisions that were taken in past decades. Right now is the time to set aside the hedonistic lifestyle promoted by the mass media industry that portrays man and women as sexual machines or objects. The facts don’t lie. Just take a good look around … girls carrying babies fulfilling a role that still doesn’t belong to them. Read the papers, listen to the news… your child may be next.

(*** trying to employ the toumlin model)

The Evolution of Inequalities

While I was in front of the monitor trying to complete this blog, I was thinking of the different ways many people pictured the 21st century. For starters, I remember watching movies in which a radioactive war destroyed the earth and only a small group of people survived and moved to deserted places( this sound like the movie “Mad Max”). Other movies weren’t as fatalistic, they showed a world without contamination, automated cars, controlled population, robots everywhere and most of all there was peace on earth. Why am I talking about this when I am supposed to be talking about a “digital divide”?
First, the 21st century is far from the two descriptions below. This century is described as the age of communication. Needless to say, satellites rule space, people in developed countries are glued to cell phones and the World Wide Web makes possible mass information “around the world”. As result of these technological advancements many tend to believe that the world is more united than ever. Also, there is the belief that we may reach social equality through the world of communications and digitalization. According to many analysts, the digital era will break social and national barriers. Even though these statements are to be further investigated there is this big question in the air Why do we have a digital divide?
The answers are not new. Even though we live in a globalized world there are still racial, social and economical inequalities. Therefore, the same factors that cause people to remain at the bottom of the social and economical chain are also triggering the digital divide. According to different sources of research, rural areas and poor regions of the world lack digital access. Also in the United States some statics show that blacks and other minority groups don’t have total access to the internet. This is alarming but, we are only focusing on providing ideas on how technology can be used to improve education and other aspects of society instead of actually working to provide the proper conditions for what is supposed to be a “digital union”. Interesting facts and solutions are in the “boiling room” until then, the question is still in the air.

“The New Trend”


Indifference has become a trend. Everyday we see how people build this gigantic bubble around themselves and only worry about how things affect them in any possible way. For instance, these past couple of weeks I have been noticing the lack of interest and the apathy students show when they are in class. It is interesting to observe their body language in the classroom. For example, students are slouched in their sits hoping a car might run over the professor so they can go home ( I think I’m going to extremes , but I’m sure some students hope for such things). Others cross their arms, move their legs like they had a nervous twitch and put on their faces the most absurd bored look you could ever see. The worst scenario in a classroom is when a professor is trying to get feedback from students. Enthusiastically, he/she starts reviewing what ever was discussed the class before and then begins to question the students: What do you thing about…? Is it true that…? Why is this relevant for you as a …. ? [and] the questions can keep on going. It gets even worst when all you hear is a broken silence in the classroom.

The students at that point feels: the professor assigns too much homework, that is not the only class they take, the class is not related to their field, if the class is related to their field of study they may not even assimilate the relation. If we only put ourselves in the place of the professor (which most never do) the scenario is totally different. This professor also has a life. I’m pretty sure that he/she postpones his/her personal errands to fulfill his/her responsibilities as an educator. Most of them, go to bed very late correcting papers and doing research for their classes. The least we can do, if we want to call ourselves true professionals is to read the assigned work and give them feedback. True educators live to teach and their satisfaction asides their biweekly check is the progress and interaction they can get from their students. While you’re reading you may ask yourself : What if the professor is not that dedicated and only lives to ruin our ego and our aspirations of success? Well, in this particular case you owe it yourself to give the best of you. We all talk about making a difference from time to time. Showing apathy will not make us better human beings. Following the greater mass is extremely easy but being different takes courage and determination.

Headline of the Month


Puerto Ricans are very opinionated people. You can ask them a question about almost any topic and they will have an answer; even though is not the right answer. Where am I going with this argument? For the past two weeks or so we have been following the cases of children who were violently abused by their parents. The first child, who was a six month old baby died. The second case was of a baby girl who was sexually molested and abused physically and the one we all know about was the case of Jan Daniel. Jan Daniel is a toddler who was shot in the head by his father and left in an abandoned car. Let’s stop for a second… We all know the third case’s name but barely remember what happened with the two other cases. The answer is simple. Would everyone show concern or at least know details about Jan Daniel’s case if it wasn’t given full coverage by the media?

After these displays of cruel violence government agencies, social and religious groups are all of the sudden creating marches and programs against violence. The issue of crude violence is not a new event in Puerto Rico. If we go back as early as the year 2004 there was a massive campaign against violence in schools. Of course, this was propelled after a math teacher was killed by a student. The point is, the good results of the battle against violence won’t occur overnight. This social issue should not be considered as a fad. Fighting against violence takes more than signatures for “peace movements”, activist marches or ineffective political measures.

Sad to say, for such a small island we breath and exhale violence. Violence is seen from our main government branches, mass media, homes, schools, even while driving a car. Therefore how will the vicious rates of violence decrease? Where is the root of violent behavior and how can it be controlled? The answers are out there; it is up to us to mobilize, look for them and take real action.

-Lizely Lopez

"Independence: Terms and Conditions"
A baby's first step can be described as one of the most fascinating events in human development. This first step represents many things. For instance, both pediatrican and parents view a baby's first step as a sign of good physical development. But, for the baby this first step represents something totally different. This first step is the first sign of independence. Why? The baby discovers he/she doesn't need the hands of an adult for support and can go where ever he/she "desires". Of course, this second part of the statement is subject to terms and conditions.
Independence, freedom, terms and conditions, it seem we humans were born with the innate need to control our lives without recurring or being bound to something or someone. The truth is that even the first step we take when we are toddlers, doesn't take place unless we are assisted. We live under the false belief that being independent means not taking responsabilities for our actions, doing what we want, when ever we want. Perhaps this is the root of all the problems the world experiments. It would be good to meditate on the following questions in order to know if we are excercising our independence to its fullest. Do you blindly accept the terms and conditions of political and social entities without analyzing or questioning? Do you investigate and meditate on the issues that are taking place both in your country and around the world? Do you take responsability of your actions? Do you work hard for what you want? Are you making a difference for yourself and those who sorround you? The results are left in the open. I opened this blog by analyzing the importance of a baby's first step. This may resepresent the begining of independence but he/she knows at such a tender age that there are terms and conditions.

-Lizely Lopez