This excerpt outlines an exploration of a Puerto Rican theology of hope, grounded in the lived experience of colonial oppression and the aftermath of Hurricane María. Centering Hope as a Sustainable Decolonial Practice by Yara Gonzalez, critiques the historical and ongoing colonial enterprises of the United States, such as "Operation Bootstrap" and the creation of the Commonwealth status, which have led to profound economic inequality and systemic hopelessness in Puerto Rican society. By examining the public practices of Christian churches—including their response to disasters and their engagement as a "prophetic voice"—the author seeks to develop a sustainable and liberative model of hope that draws on liberation theology, postcolonial critique, and the insights of thinkers like Rubem Alves and Teresa Delgado. Ultimately, the work advocates for a collective, decolonial project ("proyecto de país") informed by memory and imagination, which aims for the holistic flourishing of the people rather than succumbing to the illusions of the colonial system.
This is a book review or commentary on an academic subject with content curated by Ivelisse Valentin-Vera and recorded with the power of NotebookLM to ensure every AI generated conversation is accurate, deep and accessible, and does not represent the opinion of the authors.
www.ivelissevalentin.com
Disclaimer: This episode features a book review or commentary recorded with AI. Please note that book reviews are protected by fair use laws, as they typically involve critique, commentary, and transformative content. This review does not reproduce the original work in its entirety and aims to provide an analysis and personal opinion. The content of this podcast is not monetized.
