THE PUERTO RICAN PROFESSOR

The presence itself of a type of person can make a difference in a setting. The link to history, the social dynamics and the possibilities to engage others in issues and perspectives related to the identities of the given person can enrich an academic department. And when communities and colonial experiences are interconnected thru the identities and histories, he/she must be integrated and supported by the institutions that study and serve his/her communities. That was one clear principle guiding the hiring of the Puerto Rican professor, who by her own presence and conduct provided enough material to do a case study that can serve to understand how some colonials or people from communities on the margins of political and social power behave in their multicultural environments and institutions. In her particular case, it was quite clear that she engaged in a common practice among colonials: discriminate against her own. In this situation, discriminate against another highly qualified Puerto Rican in order not to be seen as “ethno-centered”; to project a "non-racial/etnic/colonial" neutral positions unless it benefitted her.  Instead, she supported a mediocre White woman. While the other Puerto Rican profesor was denied tenure, the White professor got it. From day one when she introduced herself as “Pitirican” -a particular way of saying it that reflects a certain self perception-, and when making “self-hate” remarks about Puerto Rico and its peoples, she revealed herself to be a very interesting case to study; and a necessary element in a College that needs people like her and others who can "read" her to understand power relations in academia; as these have always been with different groups and histories playing a part in decision making processes. Knowledge is not limited to the organized disciplines. It is everywhere.