--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that there are times when…" description: "\"I think that there are times when Puertoricans think, \"Oh, we are blessed with the relationship with the U.S.\" But the end result will not be that. If ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/oscar-lopez-rivera-57750_blessed_i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puerto_1763766.jpg" --- # I think that there are times when Puertoricans think, "Oh… ![“I think that there are times when Puertoricans think, "Oh, we are blessed with the relationship with the U.S." But the end result will not be that. If Puerto Rico becomes similar to Hawaii - well, the Hawaiian Native population is about 9 percent. And if we go to the prisons, the overwhelming…” quote by Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/oscar-lopez-rivera-57750_blessed_i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puerto_1763766.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/oscar-lopez-rivera-57750_blessed_i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puerto_1763766.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/oscar-lopez-rivera-57750_blessed_i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puerto_1763766.jpg) > “I think that there are times when Puertoricans think, "Oh, we are blessed with the relationship with the U.S." But the end result will not be that. If Puerto Rico becomes similar to Hawaii - well, the Hawaiian Native population is about 9 percent. And if we go to the prisons, the overwhelming majority of the prisoners are the Natives. So I can anticipate that Puerto Ricans will not be better off by the annexation of the U.S. of Puerto Rico. I also know for a fact that once any nation or any people lose their identity, their language, their lifestyles, that they are a little dehumanized.” [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Annexation may erode cultural identity and lead to social inequities for Puerto Ricans. **In simple terms:** Losing identity harms people. Key Takeaway Protect cultural heritage. Themes identity colonialism social justice Mood concerned reflective Type political social commentary When to use this quote - policy debates - community organizing - education - media coverage Key Concepts cultural erasure power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can Puerto Rico retain identity after political change? - What policies protect minority rights? A Different Perspective Benefits may not reach all citizens. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Annexation Puerto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annexation-puerto-1715906/) [Blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessed/) [End result](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-result/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Lifestyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifestyle/) [Native](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native/) [Overwhelming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overwhelming/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner/) [Puerto Ricans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puerto-ricans-357859/) [Puerto rico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puerto-rico/) [Puertoricans Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puertoricans-think-1715904/) [Ricans Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ricans-better-1715905/) [Rico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rico/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I believe that the overwhelming majority of Puerto Rico wants to be Puerto Ricans. I have been in five different states in the United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-believe-that-the-overwhelming-majority-of-puerto-rico-wants-to-be/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [I am surprised at the number of Puerto Ricans that are moving out of Puerto Rico still. I thought that, by now, the immigration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-am-surprised-at-the-number-of-puerto-ricans-that-are-moving-out-of/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [Puerto Ricans are so well educated, they're so capable, they're so competent, but due to a lack of opportunity, when you graduate from college,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brock-pierce/puerto-ricans-are-so-well-educated-they-re-so-capable-they-re-so/) [Brock Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brock-pierce/) > [Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but by their own choice, Puerto Rico is not a state. The relationship has worked well for Puerto Rico…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anibal-acevedo-vila/puerto-ricans-are-u-s-citizens-but-by-their-own-choice-puerto-rico-is/) [Anibal Acevedo Vila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anibal-acevedo-vila/) > [Puerto Ricans, it doesn't matter where they live, it doesn't matter how long it's been since they visited the island, their hearts are there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anibal-acevedo-vila/puerto-ricans-it-doesn-t-matter-where-they-live-it-doesn-t-matter-how/) [Anibal Acevedo Vila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anibal-acevedo-vila/) > [There's one last thing we need to point out. And it is a fact that Puerto Rico is a colonial territory of the United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-rossello/there-s-one-last-thing-we-need-to-point-out-and-it-is-a-fact-that/) [Ricky Rossello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-rossello/) > [I believe, as a Puerto Rican, that the majority of Puerto Ricans want to be Puerto Ricans. Once we become annexed to the United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-believe-as-a-puerto-rican-that-the-majority-of-puerto-ricans-want/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [The overwhelming majority of Puerto Rico is completely, completely alienated from the political structure. Colonialism is really, really strong and alive in Puerto Rico.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/the-overwhelming-majority-of-puerto-rico-is-completely-completely/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [It's not only inhumane to treat Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens. It's deeply un-American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/it-s-not-only-inhumane-to-treat-puerto-ricans-as-second-class/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [ I am willing to bet that there are some Puerto Ricans who don’t know about \[their status\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/i-am-willing-to-bet-that-there-are-some-puerto-ricans-who-don-t-know/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [It is quite understandable that Puerto Ricans seek to preserve a cultural sense of identity without separating politically from U.S. national sovereignty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-thornburgh/it-is-quite-understandable-that-puerto-ricans-seek-to-preserve-a/) [Dick Thornburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-thornburgh/) > [“The Puerto Ricans who come to our cities today have no place to roast pigs outdoors...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/the-puerto-ricans-who-come-to-our-cities-today-have-no-place-to-roast/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) > [Puerto Ricans are Americans. We've been American citizens since 1917. We fought the same battles, made the same sacrifices. We've lost our land in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-antonio-denis/puerto-ricans-are-americans-we-ve-been-american-citizens-since-1917/) [Nelson Antonio Denis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-antonio-denis/) > [I represent Latinos. I represent Puerto Ricans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-represent-latinos-i-represent-puerto-ricans/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [Puerto Ricans are United States citizens, and I think that the issue of statehood or independence needs to be addressed and needs to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-perez/puerto-ricans-are-united-states-citizens-and-i-think-that-the-issue/) [Rosie Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-perez/) ## More by Oscar Lopez Rivera > [I believe, as a Puerto Rican, that the majority of Puerto Ricans want to be Puerto Ricans. Once we become annexed to the United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-believe-as-a-puerto-rican-that-the-majority-of-puerto-ricans-want/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [It is much easier not to struggle, to give up and take the path of the living dead. But if we want to live,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/it-is-much-easier-not-to-struggle-to-give-up-and-take-the-path-of-the/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [I believe that the overwhelming majority of Puerto Rico wants to be Puerto Ricans. I have been in five different states in the United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-believe-that-the-overwhelming-majority-of-puerto-rico-wants-to-be/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [I am surprised at the number of Puerto Ricans that are moving out of Puerto Rico still. I thought that, by now, the immigration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-am-surprised-at-the-number-of-puerto-ricans-that-are-moving-out-of/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) > [The overwhelming majority of Puerto Rico is completely, completely alienated from the political structure. Colonialism is really, really strong and alive in Puerto Rico.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/the-overwhelming-majority-of-puerto-rico-is-completely-completely/) [Oscar Lopez Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) [Explore all 6 Oscar Lopez Rivera quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/) ## More Blessed quotes > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. But if I had to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-auerbach/and-i-have-been-very-blessed-having-coached-some-of-the-greatest-that/) [Red Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-auerbach/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [As in any machine, all the wires must be connected to the mains through one main wire. In the same way, you all must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/as-in-any-machine-all-the-wires-must-be-connected-to-the-mains/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [Literally every person in my life is so amazing. I even don't understand how I am so blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/literally-every-person-in-my-life-is-so-amazing-i-even-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had a very blessed journey with the upbringing I had. When you're working on sets as a stuntman, you have a firsthand account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ric-roman-waugh/i-had-a-very-blessed-journey-with-the-upbringing-i-had-when-you-re/) [Ric Roman Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ric-roman-waugh/) > [You know, I'm blessed. 'Blessed' is a better way of saying 'rich.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/you-know-i-m-blessed-blessed-is-a-better-way-of-saying-rich/) [Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/) > [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I've been blessed to have a body that's durable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-millsap/i-ve-been-blessed-to-have-a-body-that-s-durable/) [Paul Millsap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-millsap/) > [I feel that I'm very blessed. But with great blessings come great responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/i-feel-that-i-m-very-blessed-but-with-great-blessings-come-great/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [Benny Carter came up to me and said to me, "You know, in the whole history of the alto, I think Phil is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/benny-carter-came-up-to-me-and-said-to-me-you-know-in-the-whole/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) > [I feel as if I have been blessed to undergo a transformation from 'gangster' to 'redeemed sinner with gangster proclivities.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-feel-as-if-i-have-been-blessed-to-undergo-a-transformation-from/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [“The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/the-blood-of-jesus-christ-is-as-blessed-and-divine-a-payment-for-the/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [Without a trace of irony I can say I have been blessed with brilliant enemies. I owe them a great debt, because they redoubled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-o-wilson/without-a-trace-of-irony-i-can-say-i-have-been-blessed-with-brilliant/) [E. O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-o-wilson/) [Browse all 4,183 Blessed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think that there are times when Puertoricans think, \"Oh, we are blessed with the relationship with the U.S.\" But the end result will not be that. If Puerto Rico becomes similar to Hawaii - well, the Hawaiian Native population is about 9 percent. And if we go to the prisons, the overwhelming majority of the prisoners are the Natives. So I can anticipate that Puerto Ricans will not be better off by the annexation of the U.S. of Puerto Rico. I also know for a fact that once any nation or any people lose their identity, their language, their lifestyles, that they are a little dehumanized.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Oscar Lopez Rivera" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puertoricans-think-oh-we-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Blessed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puertoricans-think-oh-we-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/oscar-lopez-rivera-57750_blessed_i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puerto_1763766.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/oscar-lopez-rivera-57750_blessed_i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puerto_1763766.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/oscar-lopez-rivera-57750_blessed_i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puerto_1763766.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think that there are times when Puertoricans think, \"Oh, we are blessed with the relationship with the…” — Oscar Lopez Rivera", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Oscar Lopez Rivera", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-lopez-rivera/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think that there are times...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puertoricans-think-oh-we-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-lopez-rivera/i-think-that-there-are-times-when-puertoricans-think-oh-we-are/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```