The Crisis Generation: Envisioning a Political Otherwise in Puerto Rico

This dissertation examines the critical role of Puerto Rican youth in reshaping the archipelago’s political, social, and economic landscapes. Growing up amidst the socio-political and economic challenges wrought by U.S. colonialism, inequality, neocolonial economic austerity, and natural disasters, young Puerto Ricans are rejecting outdated political frameworks by embracing alternative political ideologies and resisting state-sponsored dispossession. Their efforts reflect broader struggles for sovereignty and self-determination, as well as a global trend of youth-driven movements seeking transformative change. The project highlights three key frameworks through which Puerto Rican youth confront the island’s persistent crisis. First, it explores their growing disillusionment with the bipartisan electoral system and a pivot toward alternatives such as pro-independence movements and progressive political collectives which are not defined by their status proposal. Second, it critiques prevailing narratives of resilience, which have been co-opted by the state, thus normalizing circumstances of crisis and perpetuating existing power structures. While resilience is often celebrated, young Puerto Ricans reject its use as a framework that obscures systemic failures, instead demanding fundamental political and infrastructural transformation. Finally, the dissertation examines the compounded effects of gentrification and displacement, exacerbated by neocolonial policies like Act 60 and speculative real estate development. These forces, accelerated by disasters like Hurricane María, have deepened socio-economic precarity for the archipelago’s youth. By exploring these dynamics and tensions, this dissertation demonstrates how Puerto Rican youth are at the forefront of envisioning a future that prioritizes justice, equity, and liberation. Their collective actions challenge systems of oppression while redefining political engagement and fostering decolonial possibilities. This project not only documents current struggles but also underscores the transformative potential of youth-led movements in shaping Puerto Rico’s path forward.