Global Voices Online

The occasion of the USA's Fourth of July celebrations prompts Gil the Jenius to think about why Puerto Ricans reject the idea of their own Independence.

Gil the Jenius takes a light-hearted look at the news that Puerto Rico has fallen to second place in a world happiness survey.

The Voice of the Taino People Online reports on the progress of the Peace and Dignity Journey, being run from New York to Panama, in honour of the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean region.

Gil the Jenius thinks that Puerto Rico stands to learn a lesson or two from the accomplishments of Barack Obama: “Of course there's racism in Puerto Rico. Of course it affects politics. But if you pretend it isn't happening, that it simply doesn't exist, then of course We're going to continue to limit Ourselves and Our future.”

Puerto Rican blogger Liza asks: “Can you imagine having to talk to your kids about the potential assassination of their father?”, adding: “What people don't get is how deep the wounds of political and social violence run in this country. To have people like Hillary Clinton dismiss political assassination as part of the game of power…it just goes to show how profoundly different Barack and his whole campaign is from the rest of the Democratic party.”

Blogging from Puerto Rico, Dondequiera reports that the results from an e-waste recycling drive have been encouraging: “105,629 pounds (52.8 tons) of electronic waste was collected, or as we say in the industry a lot of reasons to go out and buy new computers.”

Gil the Jenius says that Puerto Rico needs to “put up a better effort” against crime.

“Tourism has become the life blood of most of the Caribbean countries and it needs to be re-energized”: Living in Barbados wonders whether the region can be proud of its tourism offering.