Colonial Legacy: Puerto Rico, Palestine, and the U.S. Refusal to Acknowledge Injustice

The United States invaded my homeland, Puerto Rico, and essentially declared, "You belong to us, yet you are not one of us," leading to the enactment of laws that impact us without our input. We live under U.S. authority, so the treatment of colonized and oppressed individuals worldwide resonates with me—not just as a concerned human being, but also as an indicator of how far the U.S. is willing to go. This is why the situation in Palestine is so significant to me. If you're still questioning whether the U.S. is on the right or wrong side of history, consider today's events: the U.N. passed a resolution calling for an end to Israel's occupation of Palestine, with 124 countries voting in favor and only 14 against. Naturally, the U.S. voted against it. But they didn't stop there; as reported by the Guardian, they actively lobbied to dissuade other nations from supporting the resolution. Their opposition stems from the resolution's demand that countries halt arms shipments that are responsible for Palestinian deaths. The U.S. has repeatedly rejected this notion. This is all occurring under the Biden-Harris administration, and many are uncomfortable acknowledging it. I recognize that discussions about Palestine may not be trending on social media anymore, but the lives impacted are not a passing trend. An injustice remains an injustice, regardless of whether it's convenient for you to hear. @Biancagraulau Bianca Graulau