an island in crisis

Garrett Iván Colón

ENC 3502

Prof. S. Vie

April 26, 2015

Introduction: An Island in Crisis

Being of partial Puerto Rican descent, I first stumbled upon the crises surrounding

Puerto Rico’s economy as a young grade student. The 2006 budget crisis left over 95,000

citizens unemployed, with many schools also shut down, as a result. I’d been in the capital

of San Juan visiting family when I was made aware of the recession that Puerto Rico was

facing. All that had initially crossed my mind were the beautiful beaches and the illustrious

tropics of the island. Having such close family members wrapped up in the middle of the

budget crisis certainly opened my eyes to the reality of the situation. As years passed, the

hardship that had been dropped on Puerto Rico’s economy had been far from relieved. A

2009 financial crisis led to the layoff of more than 17,000 San Juan government employees,

which sparked a number of strikes and protests on October 15th of that year. The University

of Puerto Rico also experienced campus-wide strikes across 10 of the 11 campuses,

spanning from May to June 2010. Student protests soon ensued, which took place from

December 2010 through February 2011, shutting down the main Río Piedras campus for

nearly 60 days. Finances provided by the federal and state levels for campus operations

were brought to a halt following the island’s recession. Omaya Sosa-Pascual and Emma

Graves Fitzsimmons reported that student protesters spent

much of their time during the shutdown period using computers with Internet access to

“spread the word about the strike” (Fitzsimmons, Sosa-Pascual). Of course, with these

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April 26, 2015

events taking place at a time when social media use was booming, I decided to investigate

what exactly was being said. As opposed to the physical response of strikes and protests,

many students protested online through various social media platforms, while many

participated in both forms of response. This approach to personal expression extends far

beyond students use, as well, and it doesn’t stop in Puerto Rico. Today, understanding how

social media is used as a tool for expression can be applied to nearly any crisis or disaster

response situation, and it is certainly a contributing factor that should not be disregarded.

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ENC 3502

Prof. S. Vie

April 26, 2015

Research Project Proposal

As a major of Writing & Rhetoric, I often find interest in the research and study of

rhetoric behind the motives of individuals living in various communities. As Kevin Adonis

Browne mentions in his book Tropic Tendencies: Rhetoric, Popular Culture, and the

Anglophone Caribbean, “No rhetorical activity is possible without motive, which exists at

the epistemic core of Caribbean expressive culture” (Browne, 4). Following the reading of

Tropic Tendencies, I decided to further specify my topic to the Caribbean island of Puerto

Rico. Being of Puerto Rican descent and having visited the island multiple times, I have

noticed a trend in economic concerns and government-based issues that inflict a significant

impact on citizens. For many years, and especially prior to the prevalent emergence of

social media, these issues often resulted in riots and protests. As such, I have been

personally inclined to study these trends—the citizen response—and the similarities and

differences between public action (protests, strikes, and riots) and online social media

response. By utilizing data gathered from a collection of subjects within online

communities that have experienced, first-hand, events of turmoil, I intend to effectively

conduct my research. In particular, I plan to set my sights on the motives influenced by

various contributing factors, such as education, politics, and culture.

Specifically concerning the previously mentioned contributing elements, the

question that I intend to address is: How do social media users of Puerto Rican cultures

respond/react to current affairs of their society? With so many online communities that

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are designated for information pertaining to specific cultures and locales, throughout the

Caribbean and beyond, there is an abundance of existing online space that could be

potentially relevant to my research topic. It is important to consider that the people of

Caribbean cultures, in recent years, have made significant use of online communities, just

as we have, notably expanding the room for research opportunities. Ideally, I plan to

incorporate Twitter and Facebook usage of various subjects, in order to record each

subjects approach to online community participation.

By analyzing the information that selected subjects are talking (posting) about, I

plan to make note of the differences in the way various subjects respond/react to the

culture-specific news displayed on their respective news feeds. I will also make note of

literacy trends amongst participants, identifying how their culture and cultural movements

influences their respective literacy practices, and how various social media platforms

influence how they construct posts. Because much of the research previously conducted

concerns earlier time periods, I find that my particular effort offers a more current

perspective, especially considering the inclusion of social media. As we transition into this

digital world, it is crucial to consider how these online tools are utilized to speak one's

mind and either support or oppose timely protests. An upside to this research is to further

our understanding of social media uses,

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beyond serving as a form of basic communication between individuals or groups of

individuals. The currency of this project will be applicable to future research of a similar

nature, as well.

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ENC 3502

Prof. S. Vie

April 26, 2015

Literature Review

As a means of better understanding how various communities react to societal

issues concerning subsequent protests, strikes, riots, or other forms of response, this

research effort specifically analyzes issues that have been faced the Caribbean island of

Puerto Rico. Response to crisis in Puerto Rico is often associated with economic and

educational hardship, while disaster response is often a result of natural disasters,

especially hurricanes. In particular, the social media response is thoroughly examined, in

comparison/contrast with the aforementioned responses of physical action. This approach

should, in turn, contribute to the understanding of social media use, as an [evolving] tool for

expression of thought, opinion, and so forth, regarding similar issues. An article/report

published by The New York Times commented on students’ protest efforts at the University

of Puerto Rico, during a period of economic crisis of the same year. The authors call

attention to their observation of student protesters utilizing computers and laptops with

wireless network access, on campus property, to “spread the word” about the strike

(Fitzsimmons & Sosa-Pascual, “Student Protests Tie Up Campuses in Puerto Rico”). It can be

noted, then, that many students consider social media and the Internet to be an effective

space for publicizing their personal thoughts on the matter.

Though the underlying intention for this research is relevant to the study of social

media use (Facebook and Twitter, among others), it is important to consider how the

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April 26, 2015

online response compares to the physical response of protests and strikes. A report by the

North American Congress of Latin America confirms that a single-day strike in Puerto

Rico’s capital of San Juan saw “about 200,000 demonstrators pour into the streets to

protest the economic and labor policies,” which were implemented by the conservative

administration of that particular time period. The report addresses that the strikes and

protests were in response to the administration’s decision to lay off more than 17,000

government workers (Bonilla & Martínez, “Puerto Rico in Crisis”). This response is directly

linked to the recession that the island experienced, which began as a result of [former]

governor Luis Fortuño’s recovery plan. In considering the relationship between this report

and the aforementioned Fitzsimmons and Sosa-Pascual article, the significance of the

physical response (strikes and protests) is evident. It is apparent, then, that this was a

consistent response exhibited by citizens of the island, and that there is no doubt as to the

significance of the strikes and protests that ensued. Considering the prevalence of social

media usage during this time period, however, its use should be as strongly regarded as the

physical response. What will be investigated, in this situation, is how the approach to social

media response differs from the physical response.

Educause Review published a journal article that examined the social interaction

associated with events such as the Virginia Tech shooting and the Southern California

Wildfires of 2007. The research team involved with the Virginia Tech crisis, for example,

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April 26, 2015

monitored newsfeeds across Facebook, among other social media platforms, in order to

investigate and assess the relevant information being posted/shared. It can be noted that

social media usage is important to consider, in any “current” crisis event, as an outlet for

individuals to share information, converse, and express personal thoughts or opinions. In

turn, these research activities, as the article states, “move us in directions of policy change,

innovative technology design, and new theory about social interaction in disaster events”

(Palen, “Online Social Media in Crisis Events”). It may be concluded, then, that in a time

period of growing use in social media (for various purposes), it exists, moreover, as a

medium of disaster/emergency warning, response, and recovery.

In light of disaster events in Puerto Rico, one particular article analyzes the view

toward media-audience relationships during Hurricane Georges, which affected Mayagüez,

Puerto Rico, in 1998 (Perez-Lugo, “Media Uses in Disaster Situations”). Though online

social media platforms were not pertinent during this time period, this research analyzed

other forms of media, which included televised interviews with those directly affected by

the natural disaster. Much like the New York Times publication, this journal article

addresses the significance of expression through media, by way of distinct outlets,

respective to each time period. As a result, it is clear that the expression of thought and

opinion toward crisis events is not a new concept. Certainly, it should be considered that

the birth of social media has simply established a new channel of personal expression of

opinion and perspective. My research, then, will further contribute to the understanding of

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how expression of thoughts and opinions toward events of societal concern has changed,

over time.

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ENC 3502

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April 26, 2015

Methods

For the purpose of this research effort, I intend to interview individuals that have

expressed personal perspective and opinion toward crisis events in Puerto Rico. A

particularly effective method, in doing so, will require the research of qualitative

information across Facebook and Twitter, primarily, while also conducting interviews with

those that participated in the strikes/interviews surrounding Puerto Rico’s economic

decline. By utilizing Twitter hashtags, I managed to discover a substantial handful of

Tweets by protesters and student protestors, concerning the University of Puerto Rico

campus strike, spanning from April 2010 through February 2011.

#UPRStrike

#LuchaUPR

#HuelgaUPR

#ParoUPR

The following hashtags, meaning PR unemployment” and “PR strike,” respectively, yielded

an even greater number of results, the majority of which were Tweeted on October 15,

2009, the date of the major unemployment strike.

#ParoPR

HuelgaPR

Relevant posts were shared through December 2010, showing that user interest remained

consistent for over a year, following the strikes of October 15th. In contacting the

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April 26, 2015

individuals found on Twitter, I’ll be inquiring whether or not they made use of other social

media platforms (Facebook, in particular), making note of how their approach to [posting]

literacy differs, dependent upon the platform. I intend to ask questions such as How does

Twitter’s character limit restrict you from saying what you’d like to say? This research

approach will also consider movements of physical action that occurred, consequently. As

such, I’ll be conducting interviews with those individuals associated with the strikes and

protests that ensued, asking questions like What motivated you to participate in the

strikes/protests? and How do your physical expressions reflect your expected outcome of the

events? As for those involved on social media and directly involved in the strikes and

protests, I intend to document any trends in responses, code said responses as such. I’ll also

make note of any particular responses that “stand out” in a way that will progress toward

the understanding of social media’s effect on societal movements. Understanding how the

respective approaches of those that incorporated social media in their efforts, as opposed

to those that solely participated in physical response, will be a crucial step to take, in

determining how social media is utilized as a tool for protest for any relevant situation.

Noting the difference in impact between the physical response and social response will, in

turn, help promote the understanding of the significance of social media in disasters/crisis

events.

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April 26, 2015

I intend to interview and distribute a survey to those involved on social media

containing the following questions:

Which social platforms did you use to express your thoughts/concerns surrounding the

economic and educational crises on the island? Why?

How frequently did you post about the events?

What forms of media, if any, did you share to represent your opinions (i.e.,

photographs/videos/memes)?

In what way, if at all, did certain social media platforms restrict the point that you

tried to get across (consider Twitter's character limit)?

Did you participate in strikes and other forms of physical protest, as well? If so, how

did your social media response differ?

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ENC 3502

Prof. S. Vie

April 26, 2015

Conclusion

In all, the aforementioned elements should work together to, in turn, result in a

successful approach to my research. My intention is for this research to contribute to a

broader understanding of social media use, as it relates to various crisis/disaster

situations. While social media is often viewed as a form of general communication between

individuals, it should also be regarded as a medium of expression, given an event of societal

concern. The difference between the online social response and the physical response

should be considered, especially as it relates to literacy/writing style. Each respective

social media outlet has “restrictions,” if you will, each of which may influence the way users

respond online. Because media has existed for many years, it’s crucial to consider how

forms of media have changed, over time. In disaster situations of previous generations,

such as the 1998 hurricane Georges that hit Puerto Rico, news broadcasts and televised

interviews were a common outlet for individuals to speak their mind and offer some

degree of perspective regarding their concern. Today, social media platforms have further

enhanced that opportunity, giving nearly anyone the chance to make information

spreadable across the Web. Of course, social responses require a different approach to

protest than participating in a strike or a riot, for example. Therefore, this research should

also conclude the similarities and differences between the approaches to both forms of

human protest. In all, I trust that this research will further contribute to the current

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literature existing in the field of writing and rhetoric, offering a new perspective on the

uses of social media and its influence on literacy.

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Works Cited

Bonilla, Yarimar, Bogilo Martinez, Rafael A. “Puerto Rico in Crisis: Government

Workers Battle Neoliberal Reform.” NACLA Report on the Americas 1 Jan. 2010:

6-8. Web. 19 Mar 2015.

Browne, Kevin A. Tropic Tendencies: Rhetoric, Popular Culture, and the Anglophone

Caribbean. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2013. Print.

Palen, Leysia. “Online Social Media in Crisis Events.” Educause Quarterly 31.3 (2008): 76-

78. Web. 4 April 2015.

Perez-Lugo, Marla. “Media Uses in Disaster Situations: A New Focus on the Impact

Phase.” Sociological Inquiry 74.2 (2004): 210-225. Web. 20 Mar 2015.

Sosa-Pascual, Omaya, Fitzsimmons, Emma G. “Student Protests Tie Up Campuses in Puerto

Rico.” New York Times. 20 May 2010. Web. 19 Mar 2015.

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an island in crisis

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