Puerto Rico Organizing

Battle for Paradise Series

The Battle for Paradise by Naomi Klein, 2018, Excerpts

Precisely because the official response to the hurricane has been so devoid of urgency, Puerto Ricans on the island and in the diaspora have been forced to organize themselves on a stunning scale. With next to no resources, communities have set up massive communal kitchens, raised large sums of money, coordinated and distributed supplies, cleared streets, and rebuilt schools. In some communities, they have even gotten the electricity reconnected with the help of retired electrical workers.

Real-world Puerto Rico is densely habited with living, breathing Puerto Ricans.

One result of being forced to save themselves is that many communities have discovered a depth of strength and capacity they did not know they possessed. Now this confidence is rapidly spilling over into the political arena. There may not be rioting in the streets, but that should not be confused with consent.

Puerto Ricans now know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that there is no government that has their interests at heart, not in the governor’s mansion, not of the unelected fiscal control board, and certainly not in Washington.