--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not only inhumane to treat Puerto…" description: "\"It's not only inhumane to treat Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens. It's deeply un-American.\" — Tom Perez" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05f/tom-perez-2700_deeply_it-s-not-only-inhumane-to-treat-puerto-r_939786.jpg" --- # It's not only inhumane to treat Puerto Ricans as… ![“It's not only inhumane to treat Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens. It's deeply un-American.” quote by Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05f/tom-perez-2700_deeply_it-s-not-only-inhumane-to-treat-puerto-r_939786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05f/tom-perez-2700_deeply_it-s-not-only-inhumane-to-treat-puerto-r_939786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05f/tom-perez-2700_deeply_it-s-not-only-inhumane-to-treat-puerto-r_939786.jpg) > “It's not only inhumane to treat Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens. It's deeply un-American.” [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Treating any group as second‑class violates American values. **In simple terms:** Equality is core to America. Key Takeaway Advocate for inclusion. Themes civil rights equality national identity Mood activist inspirational Type political social When to use this quote - policy making - community organizing - education curricula Key Concepts political science human rights social justice Questions to Reflect On - How can you support marginalized communities? - What policies promote true equality? A Different Perspective Change may be slow despite advocacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizens Deeply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-deeply-1596499/) [Deeply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeply/) [Inhumane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inhumane/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Puerto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puerto/) [Puerto Ricans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puerto-ricans-357859/) [Ricans Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ricans-second-1596497/) [Rico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rico/) [Treat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treat/) [Treat Puerto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treat-puerto-1596498/) [Un-american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/un-american-197058/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [I did my Doctorate on the House Un-American Activities Committee's effect on the American theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vaughn/i-did-my-doctorate-on-the-house-un-american-activities-committee-s/) [Robert Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vaughn/) > [Making sweeping over-generalizations is classically un-American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/making-sweeping-over-generalizations-is-classically-un-american/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [For many Americans the term 'speech code' sends shivers up the spine. Yet these noxious and un-American codes have become commonplace on college campuses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsten-powers/for-many-americans-the-term-speech-code-sends-shivers-up-the-spine/) [Kirsten Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsten-powers/) > [It's un-American for anyone to be wishing harm upon our president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/it-s-un-american-for-anyone-to-be-wishing-harm-upon-our-president/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) > [It is un-American, it is unjust to target any group of folks whether they are African-American, Hispanic, poor or elderly when it comes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/it-is-un-american-it-is-unjust-to-target-any-group-of-folks-whether/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [It's almost un-American to say that you want to change football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-mckee/it-s-almost-un-american-to-say-that-you-want-to-change-football/) [Ann McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-mckee/) > [The Iraq War. No one took to the streets over it. It certainly would have been appropriate. If anybody even hinted we should... you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hank-azaria/the-iraq-war-no-one-took-to-the-streets-over-it-it-certainly-would/) [Hank Azaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hank-azaria/) > [I've got the fighting Irish, and Puerto Ricans are some of the best fighters in the world. I'm proud of who I am, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-alvarez/i-ve-got-the-fighting-irish-and-puerto-ricans-are-some-of-the-best/) [Eddie Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-alvarez/) > [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/) > [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 - and so do most Puerto Ricans - that the ideas that will prevail in the new century will be those similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anibal-acevedo-vila/i-believe-and-so-do-most-puerto-ricans-that-the-ideas-that-will/) [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/) > [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 Tom Perez > [Companies are recognizing that paid leave reduces training and turnover costs, that it's a formula for recruiting and retaining good workers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/companies-are-recognizing-that-paid-leave-reduces-training-and/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [I was in the U.K. and Germany and went to Volkswagen and learned about their apprenticeship model - young people become paid apprentices in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/i-was-in-the-u-k-and-germany-and-went-to-volkswagen-and-learned-about/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [We need bold leadership to bring America back to its first principles of diversity inclusion and opportunity for everyone in every ZIP Code, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/we-need-bold-leadership-to-bring-america-back-to-its-first-principles/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [As America prepared for war in 1941, discrimination largely shut black Americans out of job opportunities in the growing defense industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/as-america-prepared-for-war-in-1941-discrimination-largely-shut-black/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [I am proud of our diversity, and when you attack the federal workforce, you are having significant impact on women - many of whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/i-am-proud-of-our-diversity-and-when-you-attack-the-federal-workforce/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [Here's the reality: when Hillary Clinton won the nomination, the DNC handed her insufficient and substandard tools for success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/here-s-the-reality-when-hillary-clinton-won-the-nomination-the-dnc/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [I think our big tent is our greatest strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/i-think-our-big-tent-is-our-greatest-strength/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [The best way to promote and protect opportunity is through collaboration, consensus-building, and pragmatic problem-solving. Throughout nearly 30 years in public service, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/the-best-way-to-promote-and-protect-opportunity-is-through/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [When you put more money in the pockets of working families, they spend it on groceries, gas, school supplies, and other goods and services.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/when-you-put-more-money-in-the-pockets-of-working-families-they-spend/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [Our universal message of access to economic opportunity resonates with the ironworker in northeastern Ohio and the immigrant in South Florida. And we sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/our-universal-message-of-access-to-economic-opportunity-resonates/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [We have a long and proud tradition as a nation of investing in our human capital so that we can build a thriving middle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/we-have-a-long-and-proud-tradition-as-a-nation-of-investing-in-our/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [There's this notion out there - and it's a categorically false notion - that the only business model in the service industry is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/there-s-this-notion-out-there-and-it-s-a-categorically-false-notion/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [My father earned his citizenship by serving in the Army during World War II. He devoted his life to caring for our nations veterans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/my-father-earned-his-citizenship-by-serving-in-the-army-during-world/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [If you're one car accident away from poverty, you're on a high wire without a safety net. And that's a challenging proposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/if-you-re-one-car-accident-away-from-poverty-you-re-on-a-high-wire/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) > [We're building a movement. It's undeniably a work in progress, but there's a fundamental desire to see capitalism to do something different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perez/we-re-building-a-movement-it-s-undeniably-a-work-in-progress-but/) [Tom Perez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) [Explore all 153 Tom Perez quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perez/) ## More Deeply quotes > [Male relationships are deeply emotional and hard to talk about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-lord/male-relationships-are-deeply-emotional-and-hard-to-talk-about/) [Phil Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-lord/) > [Sometimes you hear a voice through the door calling you... This turning toward what you deeply love saves you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/sometimes-you-hear-a-voice-through-the-door-calling-you-this-turning/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [I'm not a man deeply interested in technology. It eludes me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/i-m-not-a-man-deeply-interested-in-technology-it-eludes-me/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [I think it's important not to grow up too fast. I'm 26 now, and I still can't wait for Christmas Day. The inner seven-year-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-haddock/i-think-it-s-important-not-to-grow-up-too-fast-i-m-26-now-and-i-still/) [Laura Haddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-haddock/) > [You may love a girl very deeply... But u CANNOT express it more deeper than... 5, 6 or 7 inches...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/green-monk/you-may-love-a-girl-very-deeply-but-u-cannot-express-it-more-deeper/) [Green Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/green-monk/) > [Weirdly, there have been a lot of critics of conservatism, but very few critics of innovation. As a culture, we are deeply paranoid about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/weirdly-there-have-been-a-lot-of-critics-of-conservatism-but-very-few/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [My mum is deeply, deeply a man's woman, a man's muse. Maybe because I'm a kid from the '80s, I'm a bit more dominant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-doillon/my-mum-is-deeply-deeply-a-man-s-woman-a-man-s-muse-maybe-because-i-m/) [Lou Doillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-doillon/) > [“Not to aim to show God is not to love, bc God is what we need the most deeply. And to have all else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/not-to-aim-to-show-god-is-not-to-love-bc-god-is-what-we-need-the-most/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [I might be deeply in love with you...but it doesn't meant that I can't live without you..because I love myself more than yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-might-be-deeply-in-love-with-you-but-it-doesn-t-meant-that-i-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Everything is interesting if you go into it deeply enough”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-feynman/everything-is-interesting-if-you-go-into-it-deeply-enough/) [Richard Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-feynman/) > [I'm of that generation of Jews still deeply influenced by the Holocaust. Certainly the notion that the state power to kill can be subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-turow/i-m-of-that-generation-of-jews-still-deeply-influenced-by-the/) [Scott Turow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-turow/) > [I am deeply honored that my team is being recognized by H.S.H. Prince Albert II and the Festival de Television de Monte-Carlo for Disney/ABC's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sweeney/i-am-deeply-honored-that-my-team-is-being-recognized-by-h-s-h-prince/) [Anne Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sweeney/) > [I feel everything more deeply. Every action I take, I think of her first. That's a big change for me. That - and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-dewan/i-feel-everything-more-deeply-every-action-i-take-i-think-of-her/) [Jenna Dewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-dewan/) > [When humans team up with computers to play chess, the humans who do best are not necessarily the strongest players. They're the ones who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/when-humans-team-up-with-computers-to-play-chess-the-humans-who-do/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [People will always need love, romance, a tender touch, and really personal and deeply felt music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-mccorkle/people-will-always-need-love-romance-a-tender-touch-and-really/) [Susannah McCorkle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-mccorkle/) [Browse all 617 Deeply quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeply/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's not only inhumane to treat Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens. 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