As summer ends and fall begins, Chicagoans will see flags from all over Latin America being waved more and more. Events like Fiesta Borica, celebrating Puerto Rican heritage; and the Independence days of Mexico and Central America signifying the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. Though we see during these times, the undeniable significance of heritage and the importance of celebrating your ancestry; for Puerto Ricans, that wasn’t always the case. There was a time when waving the flag was a criminal offense.
Law 53 of 1948, commonly known as the “Gag Law”, was passed on June 21st, 1948. It was pushed to suppress the Puerto Rican independence movement. The contents of the law made it illegal for Puerto Ricans to own or waive the Puerto Rican flag, sing songs of independence, speak about independence, organize in favor of independence, and print or publish material advocating for independence.
The extent of this law went so far as to make it a felony offense to own or display a Puerto Rican flag in your home. Consequently, many Puerto Ricans were arrested or fined. According to Zeitgeist: A Journal of Politics, History, and Philosophy, these fines reached as high as $10,000, equivalent to $134,044.81 today. Any notice of the flag’s display would allow police or the National Guard to go into the homes without a warrant and seize the flag.
During this time, Puerto Rican nationalists were active in their efforts to achieve an independent Puerto Rico. Law 53 was passed to silence this movement and that of its supporters. Puerto Rican, attorney, politician, and a leading member of this movement, Pedro Albizu Campos, gave a speech condemning the passing of the law. Nationalists would advocate even more in the coming years, but they would be arrested. The nationalist party would soon dwindle.
The problem with such a law is that it interferes with the First Amendment, which protects five fundamental rights from government infringement: freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Rights that legally extend to Puerto Rico despite being an unincorporated U.S. territory, given that since 1917, Puerto Ricans have been declared U.S. citizens. And it was from this position, that the “Gag Law” was successfully repealed in 1957.
Puerto Rico’s status will be an ongoing debate and fight. Many Puerto Ricans split on deciding if statehood or independence is best for the island. The history of the Nationalist Party and the teachings of Pedro Albizu Campos remain in the minds of many; they may influence a new generation of Nationalists.
Since the time of the law enactment and its repeal, the history of the Puerto Rican flag can be felt to this day. The flag, like many countries, stands as a symbol of pride, beauty, culture and hope. In every home from the island to the cities in the U.S., the phrase “¡Qué bonita bandera!” can be heard and felt as a symbol of love for the culture.
Every June, Chicago is filled with Puerto Rican flags, and every September, flags from Latin America flood the streets in the best way possible. Pride in your culture, in your ancestry, and in your family’s history shouldn’t be limited to the United States. Valuing the food, the dances, the songs, the language and the people and sharing it with others is what makes America the melting pot it is. Embrace your heritage and embrace it with others.
Although I wish history like this is taught more frequently, I believe knowing about it gives you a sense of understanding, love and strength in you, your family, your culture and your community. Don’t be afraid to wave the flags of your ancestors and your country old, and new. Let it be one of many seen in Chicago this summer. Don’t be afraid to wave, embrace it. Isn’t that the American Dream?
