A video released today by a Puerto Rican YouTube channel shows an English professor from the University of Puerto Rico fighting with students, after the professor demanded that the striking students open the gates for other university students who wanted to attend classes. Recent media coverage about the university strike has begun to reach the mainstream media in the United States.
James Peter Colan, Professor of English at the UPR in Río Piedras
The professor in question is James Peter Colan, a member of the University’s English Department on the Río Piedras campus. We contacted Professor Colan tonight to see if he would like to issue a statement, and if he does, we will share it on this blog. In the meantime, here is the video unedited and without commentary (the fight begins around 1:56):
I gotta say I was taken aback by both the students and professor Colan. I think he reacted fueled by fury, which was wrong, but the students’ reaction strongly dissapointed me. I held my hands above my mouth when I saw them hitting the professor. I took classes with him when I was a student at the upi and he is a great teacher. Strict as hell, but a great teacher indeed.
It was an ugly situation all around, but he shouldn’t have escalated it. Just walk away. Am sure he is a great teacher, but that is a tough video to watch.
Fellow citizens… the young communist lady [in purple] should also be investigated and charged in the beating as the mastermind of this mess. Capitol Hill… we scream for help!
-The rest of us want to walk into a free, and open public place, as is the UPR campus. These rebels seem to have more power than the actual authorities on this island.
[Thank you Prof. Colan for stepping up]
THE PEOPLE [El Pueblo]
Not everyone agrees with you Jose, and to say that the girl is communist is insulting to THE PUEBLO OF PUERTO RICO. The reality is that Prof. Colan hit a student and escalated the conflict. Everyone is at fault.
What communist? Communism died in 1989, dude…you’re way behind the times. If you wanted to attempt to fear-monger people into believing your side, perhaps you should have said she was a Muslim terrorist…that’s a little more modern. 🙂
The good professor could have always remained in his room, collected his paycheck, and not intervened. He initiated the violence and received strikes from other students defending the aggrieved student.
Sorry…disagreeing with protests does not give you the right to headlock someone.
He should be disciplined for initiating violence with students.
Jose, I think your extreme blaming of these students is short-sighted.
Very smart Jamie, go ahead and bring religious groups into the matter. WOW! -Leave our muslim brothers out of it.
About the protest… “The good professor” as you call him was pushed first, are you blind? [as a result] “The good professor” proceeded to arrest the chump! but the uncivilized crowd intervened.
He will not be disciplined… because he was looking out for those wanting to be educated. Take your protest show to the sidewalk not the people’s public spaces… You my friend, do not represent THE PUEBLO OF PUERTO RICO.
[En un pais civilizado no se le impide el uso de espacios publicos al resto de la comunidad…]
In the USA (which PR is) you are charged with tresspassing on the spot. Open your eyes Julito…
Read link:
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-11-20/us/california.tuition.protests_1_tuition-hike-tuition-increase-tuition-and-fees?_s=PM:US
Jose, I have contacted the professor twice to get a statement and also will be calling UPR administration (what is left of it) tomorrow to ask about whether the professor will indeed disciplinary charges. He did elevate the incident further and is at blame. However, I also think some of the students went after him pretty hard after the fact, but he gets what he pays for. Last time I checked, universities in the US and public parks have always been places for demonstration. In fact, if you really want to claim that PR is part of US, then you know that all Americans have the right to free assembly and protest. Simple as that. Professor was wrong and the video proves it. No way to rationalize your way out of it. ¡Viva Puerto Rico!
Jose, your claims about the students being communists is lame. You sound like the Tea Party in the United States when they speak of Obama. Stop drinking the Fortuño Kool Aid, and think on your own.
Julito… first, your posting seems desperate!!! he he he. The professor will not be punished. Watch!!! he he he
Second, I do not claim Puerto Rico is part of the USA. I know for a fact we are. My USA passport says it boldly and clear… Our island is fortunate to be American.
Third, about your “boy genius” demonstration comment. Your referencing skills do not impress us reading your passionate separatist whiplashes. In a US, during demonstrations, citizens most have the right to speak up [Amen for that]. Citizens also, must organize so that they do not violate the rights of those “not protesting” at that point protesters can be arrested, charged and convicted, Yes it is a crime. In other words, your protesting UPR men and women should speak up [on the sidewalk] where they belong, not behind the gates obstructing the daily operation of the campus.
Lastly, I do not tell you what Kool Aid to drink. Why are you so worry about my ideologies… Are you and your groups afraid the modern Puerto Ricans are finally confronting decades of abuse and threat by Fupistas? -Whom are probably your parents!!! I must add…
[Yes, I think on my own, and those my friend were my two (2) cents].
Viva Puerto Rico, USA!
Not desparate at all, mano. Just reporting the video and letting others comment on it, like you.
So glad you want Puerto Rico to be part of an American where every Latino is now seen as an illegal immigrant. Get ready to be called a Mexican. You really have no concept of the American political reality on the mainland and how the vast majority of Republicans oppose PR statehood. Have you seen Glenn Beck and his insulting rant about our island? http://wp.me/pp13w-Rg
Now PR has a proud Republican governor who is like a little boy who wants to sit at the big boy table, but guess what? Americans don’t give a crap about Puerto Rico. They do not know we are citizens and if you ask the Tea Party and other Republicans, they claim that PR will cost the US 19 billion a year if it were to become a state. Guess what? In this day and age of limited government, that is not going to happen.
Also, check out what is happening in Madison, WI, where the state government and police have allowed protesters to protest in a public building, the state Capitol. THAT is AMERICA, bro, not what is happening on the island.
Keep drinking that Fortuño Kool Aid. Maybe go to BJs and get the Super Size.
Gracias por los comentarios.
PS My parents and my grandparents and my uncles and my younger cousins are all proud boricuas. Politics is in our blood. We believe in Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination. I will totally respect the island’s decision if it chooses statehood, since I believe in democracy. But as a Puerto Rican-born American citizen, I can’t wait to cast my vote since I too will be eligible. But the bill is stuck in the Senate and they have bigger issues to resolve like keeping the government going.
Julito, Julito, Julito… you sound hopeless. Americans do not know about PR because we have remained in the shadows… well, no longer this is true. We are up and coming my fellow islander. Our generation is here to civilly educate those who oppose us into “toleration”. Yes, Glenn Beck is out there, we see and hear his enraged chants about PR, but by God Julito, he just like the others, soon will know about our determination to be acknowledged and admitted into full statehood status. Let’ show them our value, we have plenty.
Wisconsin, as you mentioned earlier. Yes, the police allowed protester to freely demonstrate. WHY? because the protesters are behaving and cooperating with the authorities… The union leaders even agreed to moved people to the lower level so that the building could be cleaned after days of protest… This act of civility (on both sides) along separates protesters on the island from those in the states. (Wake up Julito).
We (new comers seeking statehood) will not revolt anymore as we did in the 70’s using force and burning everything before us. (Such is the case at UPR)
We now have the power of word and interpretation of the law to make the case for us. -Julio, put the “anger” away and join us conquer “the mountain”. [God Bless Dr. King]
Cuidate Julito
I have no anger Jose, I just think you are being politically naive. I respect your opinion but your idea about educating Americans is so far-fetched. Memo (and this is a sad statement): no one in mainland America who is not Latino does not care about us. We don’t have any true leaders who are education the country and please don’t bring up Justice Sotomayor (she is from the Bronx, not a true islander)
A few things to note:
1. The Puerto Rico Democracy Act is a dead bill again. It died in the Senate. It will need to be resurrected in the new session of Congress. And Congress has much bigger issues to deal with right now. So, best case scenario, 2012 it passes. Worst case, since no one is going to vote on this during a presidential election, the bill doesn’t come to vote until 2013. Two years in politics is a long time, and who knows if Fortuño even lasts. Too risky. And it’s a non-binding resolution. The arrogance of my fellow statehood islanders is laughable. We are not the center of the world. We are just a colony of Latinos, the last colony on earth.
2. I am not convinced that Americans, particularly the Republican Party and the Tea Party, will allow PR to be a state. Unless Jeb Bush Republicans start turning the tide (highly doubt it), this is a Tea Party world. And the Tea Party doesn’t give a shit. Neither do Republicans who voted against the PR Democracy Act. And if you think Luis Fortuño is the man who will convince Republican leaders that the bill should pass, I have a bridge to sell to you.
3. Wisconsin is not as peaceful as you think, and I think both the strikes at UPR and the authorities who are protecting others are at fault. So don’t paint the PR police as angels of freedom, thanks.
4. I agree with you that the protests of earlier decades did nothing for PR. In fact, they made it worse. But guess what, I am 41 years old, I have seen a lot on the island and I am convinced that free association or independence our only true political options. It is the political reality.
5. Good luck with the tolerance campaign. In the end, Americans don’t see us as fellow citizens. Trust me on that one. I have lived in very liberal places in the US and very conservative places as well. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have had to educate other Americans about PR. Good thing I got into Harvard, that helps as bit. LOL
So let’s agree to disagree and I will fight for your right to protect your free speech, but I will respectfully disagree with the statehood movement and the bizarre Republican movement on the island. I still believe you guys are drinking the Kool Aid. Keep it real. It’s cool. I just don’t agree with you, and never will.
VIVA PUERTO LIBRE.
Gracias
PS If you feel so strongly about this issue, blog about it and get readers to read it. I would.
aiiii Julito… que pena, but nice shpeel! I have to rationally remove myself from this convo hermano. Apparently your time in Boston did not go so well… but that’s your personal experience. What can I say…
One small observation pana… -The “not a true islander” comment is a complicated one. I would not use it if I were you. [It separates us instead of bringing us together].
As I read, I got to tell you that having lived in many places, as you mentioned above has only made your thinking narrower… [Seek help my friend].
Cuidate Julito,
PS. Yes, I feel strongly. No, I won’t blog I have kids to feed!
…a total pleasure! …see you at the other side! [51].
You are on one end and I am on the other. May the best boricua win since we both passionately love and want the best for Puerto Rico.