By Kristal Ibarra-Rodríguez
Moving away from Puerto Rico 6 years ago was, at the time, accompanied by the narrative of choice. It was something the young and spirited do in their 20s, assuming that my home would be there waiting, no matter what, upon return. The turn of events that Hurricane Maria has brought to an island already in economic crisis quickly shifted this mindset as more family and friends see no choice but to pack up and leave and I brace myself for the notion that returning home becomes an ever growing yearn further from reality.
And yet, I'm heading home this Christmas to an island without electricity, certain to return to Texas in 2018 illuminated up with the energy of my land and my people.
Texas is the last place I expected to end up in my journey through the diaspora. But I've been here 8 months and counting, embracing the opportunity to visit great spaces throughout this beautiful land. From perennial springs neighboring Austin to beaches in the Rio Grande Valley, no experience of the outdoors has come unaccompanied by learnings from people working towards just and healthy communities, and more abuelas have welcomed me into their home than I ever came across when living in other parts of the continental US.
There are many parallelisms one could draw from a Puerto Rico in economic crisis and a Lone Star State severely lacking environmental and labor regulations, not the least apparent in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, both a reflection of inadequate government preparedness, poor zoning, lack of climate resiliency and devastating environmental injustices. (Not to mention that six Texas republicans voted against disaster relief package that would provide aid to those affected by both Harvey and Maria!)
But I see in Texas the chance to change power dynamics in a way that would resonate widely though the US and the world. If a state with such deeply rooted ties to the fossil fuel industry can deconstruct its thinking and shift toward renewables led by motives beyond profit, I want to be a part of that. So, this will do as home base for now, and I am excited to build community alongside people who challenge the perceived need to rely on dirty fuels and, more importantly, who denounce the indisputable connections between this system's negligence towards the land and the struggle inflicted upon our most vulnerable communities, often direct recipients of toxicity and pollution.