99% Invisible Foreign in a Domestic Sense
68 snips
May 20, 2025 
Jacob Medina-Gleason, a producer whose work intertwines with Puerto Rican history, shares a compelling family story unveiled through an old surveillance file. He explores themes of love, betrayal, and the impact of government monitoring on Puerto Rican activists. Delve into the evolution of Puerto Rican identity shaped by colonial struggles and the fight for independence, highlighted by figures like Pedro Albizu Campos. The cultural significance of the Puerto Rican flag also surfaces, illustrating its role in contemporary movements against oppression.
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Family Surveilled for Independence
- Jacob Medina-Gleason discovered a police surveillance file on his grandfather related to his political activities.
- His grandparents were surveilled for their involvement in Puerto Rican independence activism, yet were never accused of crimes.
Puerto Rican Identity Origins
- Puerto Rican identity was shaped in opposition to colonial rule and embraced even when originally used as an insult.
- The term Puerto Rican symbolized resistance and a collective identity distinct from Spain.
Ambiguous Puerto Rico Status
- The U.S. annexed Puerto Rico but denied it statehood due to racial and cultural biases.
- Legal decisions declared Puerto Rico "foreign in a domestic sense," creating ambiguous citizenship and constitutional rights.
