About this episode
As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is perpetually stuck in limbo. The people there are subject to federal laws, but don't have a vote for president or Congress. This is a major problem when it comes to responding to disasters like Hurricane Fiona, which hit the island last month. Many Puerto Ricans are deeply frustrated by what they claim has been a slow and inefficient response from a federal government that they have no say in. Some want statehood, some want more autonomy. A small, but growing, group of people want independence. Jaquira Diaz's essay " Let Puerto Rico Be Free " for The Atlantic looks back at key moments in the history of Puerto Rico and argues for the island's independence. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community. Email us at considerthis@npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy