Uncle Sam,
I tried to start this letter with the usual
greetings, "Dear Uncle Sam" but the truth is that it has become
difficult to me. You've become that guy whom many respected by habit, but
nobody wants. That guy with mocking face that looks more like a rapper than a
loving guy who wants the best for his family.
I know you're wondering: Who is this that
has the audacity to treat me this way. Well, one of your nephews. Not the older
neither the younger, I am of those of the middle. I am that one that almost
nobody pays any attention. Who has to take care by itself, because the elders demand
everything and the youngers receive everything. I'm from that island in the
Caribbean: Puerto Rico. My sex, my education and my age do not matter, because
I represent to all.
Still you have doubts about who I can be. Of
course it’s difficult to you, because you never put me attention. You remember
that night you came home, uninvited, and as a thief in the night you got to
force. Some say you came to help us, but the truth I have my doubts, who wants to
help does not comes in that way. But you came and stayed. Well, some books say
I'm spoils of war, because, you fought with whom I had my previous custody and
as you won you stayed with me as a prize.
From that day you came with the idea of
wanting to change everything. My way of speaking and behaving. My traditions.
But I resisted. I would love to be myself to become what you wanted me to be.
You wanted me as your image and likeness. I resisted and you become to be my executioner
since that moment.
Sure, others realized. And you did not want
to be the wicked uncle, so you offered me certain liberties. I did sign them as
a guarantee that would not do more than what was written there. You did not
believe on me from the beginning. You gave me certain liberties, but tied me to
when you thought that I was going far away you could pull me the rope and go
back to your feet. You painted it as a fantasy world. A world of colors. The
idea that I could remain be myself, and you'd still support me in what I set my
mind to. But all these ideas were a joke of your part.
The truth is that sometimes I thought it was
a dream. Uncle Sam gave me his last-name, but had no right to speak at his
home. Now or ever, that was the deal.
And that moment when you needed me to defend
your lands arrived. Ahhhhh, of course, for that I was the favorite nephew. I
sent to the war front my best men, opening the pavements for you, for your
other nephews were more important than me. They speak like you, they were like
you. Better put in danger that nephew unloved before the beloved ones. And I
know what you're going to say: Many times I have praised you in public. But
it's not about praise, it is about rights. You need to treat me like all your
other nephews. For that I have your last name. But no. It is easier thank me than
letting me be part of the decision-making table where all my other cousins
participate.
And not satisfied to make me feel as that
nephew unloved, whenever you crave to try those experimentations of chemicals
and medicines you do in my home. Without warning. Without permission. Just
arrive and throw your poisons and expect the results. You treat us like mosquitoes
when in reality we are part of your family members.
Surely you're thinking at this point: For
that I take care of you. Come on, let us not be hypocrites. You have to be
honest. What you give to me I give it back three or four times. You give me a
dollar and I pay for food at four dollars. You give me a pill and send me to
the hospital to charge me to put it. I bet you are denying all moving your head,
but you know well that what I say is the true.
And what about when I get brave and make my
voice listen. Your answer was to punish me. Yes, you locked me in your
punishment rooms for years for others to learn that the fool nephews have their
reward. And that's ironic, you go and defend the fool nephews of other
families, but you keep me locked up for no reason. I asked you to let me free,
but no. You prefer to leave free any offender, but not your own nephew. I am
aware about what I did at your home, but come on, you prefer to defend those
others and treat me as the greatest criminals in the world.
I know you did not like me to be a rebel and
took out your police from my house. But, they tried to kill me. He threw a
bomb. Made me cry. I just defended myself. I used no weapons. Only with
strength and voice. But, you did not like. And since that time you got more
hateful to me. Come on, let's be honest again: You also locked me up several
times to see if I desisted from the idea, but I continued my fight, and you got
more hateful with me.
Now you come and send me a group of friends
to command my house. But, what happened with the freedom you promised me?
Ahhhhh, of course, was only dreams to keep me happy while you were using me.
Now I'm not very useful, so you leave me alone. You do not trust me and send
someone to belittle me. I no longer treat me as an equal, but as the nephew
that nobody wants. I know I've made mistakes, but we will not be so unfair.
Others of your nephews have committed mistakes, and how easy they have asked
you. I do not ask more than what I deserve. I mean, when after all it was you
who came to my house without permission or invitation.
If you do not want to help me I can
understand. At this point no longer I ask for help, but then let me be free. Let
me do the things I have to do. But yes, using my own resources and without these
rules you put me to put obstacles to further growth. Let me make deals with my
other friends, let me grow.
If you no longer want me as a nephew, at
least try to be my friend. Of those who help each other, and of those that when
have a difference in ideas they speak to each other. Not one of those friends
you have out there that make the long view and occasionally hit you crying. I
do not want that kind of friendship. I want to be one of those friends that
when they meet are like brothers, and their differences are respected. Now I
ask you: Are you able to be that friend with me or you will remain the same
executioner guy? One more thing: Just remember that justice is for all, and
karma is running free out there. As people say in my Island: Now the ball is in
your side.
Sincerely;
Your Puerto Rican Nephew
PD: I am thinking to move there, and put in
action my rights. My vote count as yours.
