No nationality to exchange for American citizenship

Of course, not having a nationality to give up as a swap to become an American surely has had its disadvantages to many islanders; that is, they have had to contend with a society made of individuals fully content and uncaring about giving up their nationalities to become Americans. Simply put, foreigners have had no significant problems turning their backs on their countries of birth in order to accept the citizenship of the United States. And, once foreigners disdain their countries they basically have no choice but to commit themselves entirely to the American way of life. Obviously, there is a significant difference between a foreigner that renounces his birthright to become an American and an American who does not want to abandon his culture just to merely become a mainland American. And, moreover, it is highly suggestible that some Puerto Ricans are afraid to commit themselves fully to the Americanism of the mainland, because of the likely probability that they could be labeled as turncoats by many of their compatriotas (countrymen). However, the residents of Puerto Rico are not able to give up a nationality, as they have none to exchange, but they cling desperately to old customs and traditions of la madre Espana (mother Spain) as heart-held remnants of an almost obtained nationhood. Obviously, a significant number of Puerto Ricans is saddled by an identity crisis. That is, they end up contending their status as Puerto Ricans or Americans. And, not being foreigners, they don’t want to forsake their Puerto Ricanism while being American. And, one thing for sure, the sentimentality for maintaining the sameness and the old ways has to a large extent constrained the political and economical advancement of a large pool of Puerto Ricans. And, it appears as the islanders are afraid to fully accept a truly first class American citizenship as demonstrated by their almost lack of interest in pursuing aggressively pro-Statehood activity. And, as well, except for a small but vociferous band of individuals, the pro-independence movement does not have any significant popular support. Thus, it seems that there is somewhat of a state of inertia among the population; and, this type of stagnation has been progressively weighing down the will of the people through centuries of subjugation. It does appear as the islanders’ lack the appropriate motivation to bring the necessary changes to their ineffectual political status. For sure, maintaining the status quo and clinging to abstract sentimentality makes it very difficult for many Puerto Ricans in coming to terms with the essential and fundamental need to choose promptly their ideal political status. For certain, most Puerto Ricans are destined to be much better off by choosing either independence or Statehood for Puerto Rico. Either of these two options provides a much-needed escape from the almost fatalistic mentality of many islanders. And, most likely, the debate whether Puerto Ricans are Puerto Ricans could be closed once they overcome their ambivalence and move toward a permanent solution of their political status.