Most of you know I have been a supporter of the right of Puerto Ricans to practice legalized cockfights as they have since the 18th century. However, the Michael Vick situation has made me much more sympathetic to the animal rights cause, even though I still have my beliefs on Puerto Rican cockfighting.
Given my partial change of heart, here are some tips, for those of you that are involved in animal right causes, to help stop cockfighting in the only U.S. territory or state where it is protected by law and subsidized by the local government:
1) UNDERSTAND THE CULTURAL BACKGROUND OF COCKFIGHTING- Even if you think the practice is barbaric, you are not gonna achieve anything if you don't understand why so many people and the local government support it. It has a long history and it is part of our Puerto Rican heritage. You don't want to disrespect or change Puerto Rican cultural values- you want to enlighten people on why cockfighting was, is and will always be wrong.
2) UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PR AND USA- Puerto Rico was invaded and colonized by the US in 1898, and Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. All of this happened without the consent of the Puerto Rican people. During the first three decades of American domination, Americans tried to impose their language and cultural (and religious) practices to Puerto Ricans, with little to moderate success. One of the things Puerto Ricans fought to preserve was COCKFIGHTING, because it is seen as a SYMBOL OF CULTURAL AUTONOMY. If activists go there with an arrogant, imperialistic attitude to impose their views on the locals, the locals, EVEN THOSE WHO DEPISE COCKFIGHTING, will go against you.
3) TREAT PUERTO RICANS AS FELLOW AMERICANS, NOT AS PEOPLE FROM SOME OTHER COUNTRY- Even though Puerto Ricans are LATIN AMERICANS culturally speaking, we also are AMERICANS politically speaking, and most Puerto Ricans (around 96% of us) VALUE OUR AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP. For instance, try to show those you are negotiating or talking with that you see them as Americans with a particular, distinct Latin American culture. PUERTO RICANS ARE YOUR EQUALS UNDER THE LAW, and you respect them as such. You want Puerto Ricans to reject a "barbaric" practice, not to impose your views on "THOSE PEOPLE".
4) JOIN THE LOCAL ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS- No, not all Puerto Ricans like cockfighting. MOST OF US HAVE NEVER SEEN OR SPONSORED ONE. MANY, IF NOT A MAJORITY OF PUERTO RICANS DISLIKE COCKFIGHTING AND ARE WILLING TO JOIN THE FIGHT TO BAN IT. So, make contact with local animal rights organizations, and offer them your help and support. Try to start a campaign with local and American volunteers who might be willing to travel to the island to work on educational campaigns at college campuses, malls and other public venues.
5) BE READY FOR A LONG, TOUGH BATTLE- Expect oppostion from the cockfighting industry, the local government, and groups that deal with the preservation of Puerto Rican culture (group that usually are very anti-American). Remember, you will be a reminder of the colonial rule Puerto Rico lives under. Just be patient and understanding. Puerto Ricans are, for the most part, very cordial and willing to listen. If you express your views nicely, they will respond in the same manner.
Here are some associations you might wanna contact if you are interested:
The Humane Society of Puerto Rico-
http://www.hspr.org/El Faro de Los Animales (Animal Shelter)-
http://www.farodelosanimales.org/Animal Rescue Association 1-787-797-0884
Puerto Rico Animal Welfare Society 1-787-872-0204
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