Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic member of the Supreme Court, had some words of encouragement for fellow Puerto Ricans this month during an appearance at a university on the island.
A clip of her remarks in Spanish was sent to “Seen, Heard & Whispered.”
In it, she urges them to resist efforts to downplay the U.S. territory and its status, which makes its residents citizens, though without a vote in Congress or the Electoral College.
“At the time that the United States started, many of us were born here, before the United States started, OK?” Justice Sotomayor said, according to a translation of her remarks. “And to say that we aren’t part of [America] is their problem, not ours.
“What we feel, not what they want, but a pride that touches inside of us. And don’t let them treat you in that form,” she said to clapping from the audience at the University of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico has been debating its status in the U.S for decades, with some supporting a quest for full statehood, some seeking independence and others comfortable with the current status.
Nonbinding votes in recent years have shown most Puerto Ricans back statehood.
Polling has shown that many Americans don’t realize those on the island are citizens by birth.
Justice Sotomayor’s parents were born in Puerto Rico. She was born in New York City and maintains family ties to the territory.
