What is a whipsaw? What does that mean?
noun
1.
a saw for two persons, as a pitsaw, used to divide timbers lengthwise.–verb (used with object)
2.
to cut with a whipsaw.
3.
to win two bets from (a person) at one turn or play, as at faro.
4.
to subject to two opposing forces at the same time: The real-estate market has been whipsawed by high interest rates and unemployment. –verb (used without object)
5.
(of a trailer, railroad car, etc.) to swing suddenly to the right or left, as in rounding a sharp curve at high speed.
Origin: 1530–40;
1.
a saw for two persons, as a pitsaw, used to divide timbers lengthwise.–verb (used with object)
2.
to cut with a whipsaw.
3.
to win two bets from (a person) at one turn or play, as at faro.
4.
to subject to two opposing forces at the same time: The real-estate market has been whipsawed by high interest rates and unemployment. –verb (used without object)
5.
(of a trailer, railroad car, etc.) to swing suddenly to the right or left, as in rounding a sharp curve at high speed.
Origin: 1530–40;
Definition # 4
I think I have been whipsawed... by being Puerto Rican.
Did you know?
Puerto Rico is not a state. It is a U.S. teritorry - Commonwealth
Most people speak Spanish --both Spanish and English -official languages
2 Flags and 2 National Anthem
People born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens.
They can vote at the federal level, but not from the island.
They elect their governor.
Puerto Rico is represented in the United States Congress by nonvoting delegate.
***Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, but they can vote in primaries. Puerto Ricans who become residents of a U.S. state can vote in presidential elections.***
So why "whipsawed"?
It doesn't have to be a negative thing, but I feel that living in the United States and being Puerto Rican can be a little difficult sometimes. It is like you don't really know where you are from. I never thought about any of these things when I lived there. You are JUST Puerto Rican when you live there. Yes, there is a great influence of the American culture and we are aware that we are a territory of the U.S. but that's all. We don't question anything or at least - I didn't. We are very proud to be Americans! I feel like I have been whipsawed by Puerto Ricans/Americans from the island and the Americans from here. Am I still a "real Puerto Rican" even though I choose to live here?
This is a really interesting post. This seems to be an aspect of the idea of "3rd culture". You should read the post I have on that topic from February 5th.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, the red font is very difficult to read on this background. Could you possibly change it?
"We are very proud to be Americans!"
ReplyDeleteLikewise, we are proud to claim you. You have brought good things with you, not just to America, but to our FLAN class. I have so enjoyed hearing your perspectives on language, culture and other things.
That is definitely a complicated situation. You are being pulled between two identities and two cultures. That totally captures the meaning of "whipsaw".
ReplyDeleteI totally understand!!!!! OMG I'm Mexican (as in born there) but raised here and that has left me with a severe identity crisis. There I'm considered American, here I'm Mexican but not accepted by the "MExicans" here, at home I have no clue what I am because my mom tells me to dream the American dream BUT at the same time carry all of my Mexican heritage and traditions. IT IS SO COMPLICATED!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's why they call the U.S. the Melting Pot. There are so many different cultures here that influence the overall that it makes it hard to find ones' place.
ReplyDelete