Blackout in Puerto Rico

Free Speech For People co-released the report Blackout in Puerto Rico: How 120 years of corporate dominance and political inequality stifles self-determination today with United for a Fair Economy.

This report discusses the history of political inequality and corporate dominance in Puerto Rico, and also analyzes how the current systems of money in politics affect Puerto Rico’s financial crisis and hurricane recovery efforts. In doing so, this report acknowledges other systems of oppression — in this case, the creation and continuation of political inequality, white supremacy, and colonization — and discusses how money in politics is a tool used to perpetuate this inequality.

Free Speech For People recognizes that to promote true political, economic, and racial equality for Puerto Rican people, and all people marginalized by systems of oppression, we must build an intersectional and authentic solidarity movement. Authentic solidarity requires working together to dismantle all the systems that sustain oppression, and to do that we must first acknowledge and provide education around those additional systems of oppression. This report was created by Free Speech For People in an effort to build an intersectional movement to pass a constitutional amendment to eliminate unlimited money in politics and corporate personhood.

Read the report here

Descargue el informe aquí

Too often, efforts to limit the dominance of corporations and big money, and even conversations about these problems, have failed to consider how our big-money system hurts people marginalized by systems of oppression like structural racism and white supremacy, heteronormativity, transphobia, misogyny, and xenophobia. To address this, Free Speech For People has created frameworks, reports, and events around building an intersectional movement. This report recognizes the importance of intersectionality.

When discussing the contents of the report, it is important to acknowledge the systems of oppression that have existed and currently exist outside of the the allowance of unlimited money in our political system. Solving issues around money in politics is just one part of the problem. This is why this report also contains a deep historical analysis of the economic and political inequality in Puerto Rico.

We care about promoting intersectionality within our work because we want to build a more inclusive and critical movement.

Click here to learn more about what intersectionality is and how to build an intersectional movement.

Centering People Marginalized by Systems of Oppression when Discussing the Report:

In building a more inclusive, critical, and intersectional movement, we must center those who have been most marginalized by systems of oppression. Those who experience the most harm from the unequal influence of money in politics are usually those who already face discrimination, oppression, or domination in other areas. An example of this in practice is that this report on Puerto Rico was written and edited by several Puerto Rican people.

Similarly, when finding ways to discuss this report, it is important to include the voices of Puerto Rican people.

Click here to learn more about creating events that center individuals marginalized by systems of oppression.

Tools for Discussing the Report:

Download the Executive Summary