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Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
Introduction: An Island in Crisis
Being of partial Puerto Rican descent, I first stumbled upon the crises
surrounding Puerto Ricos economy as a young grade student. The 2006
budget crisis left over 95,000 citizens unemployed, with many schools also
shut down, as a result. Id been in the capital of San Juan visiting family when
I was made aware of the recession that Puerto Rico was facing. All that had
initially crossed my mind were the beautiful beaches and the illustrious
tropics of the island. Having such close family members wrapped up in the
middle of the budget crisis certainly opened my eyes to the reality of the
situation. As years passed, the hardship that had been dropped on Puerto
Ricos economy had been far from relieved. A 2009 financial crisis led to the
layoff of more than 17,000 San Juan government employees, which sparked
a number of strikes and protests on October 15th of that year. The University
of Puerto Rico also experienced campus-wide strikes across 10 of the 11
campuses, spanning from May to June 2010. Student protests soon ensued,
which took place from December 2010 through February 2011, shutting
down the main Ro Piedras campus for nearly 60 days. Finances provided by
the federal and state levels for campus operations were brought to a halt
following the islands recession. Omaya Sosa-Pascual and Emma Graves
Fitzsimmons reported that student protesters spent

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
much of their time during the shutdown period using computers with Internet
access to spread the word about the strike (Fitzsimmons, Sosa-Pascual). Of
course, with these

events taking place at a time when social media use was booming, I decided
to investigate what exactly was being said. As opposed to the physical
response of strikes and protests, many students protested online through
various social media platforms, while many participated in both forms of
response. This approach to personal expression extends far beyond students
use, as well, and it doesnt stop in Puerto Rico. Today, understanding how
social media is used as a tool for expression can be applied to nearly any
crisis or disaster response situation, and it is certainly a contributing factor
that should not be disregarded.

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015

Research Project Proposal


As a major of Writing & Rhetoric, I often find interest in the research
and study of rhetoric behind the motives of individuals living in various
communities. As Kevin Adonis Browne mentions in his book Tropic
Tendencies: Rhetoric, Popular Culture, and the Anglophone Caribbean, No
rhetorical activity is possible without motive, which exists at the epistemic
core of Caribbean expressive culture (Browne, 4). Following the reading of
Tropic Tendencies, I decided to further specify my topic to the Caribbean
island of Puerto Rico. Being of Puerto Rican descent and having visited the
island multiple times, I have noticed a trend in economic concerns and
government-based issues that inflict a significant impact on citizens. For
many years, and especially prior to the prevalent emergence of social media,
these issues often resulted in riots and protests. As such, I have been

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
personally inclined to study these trendsthe citizen responseand the
similarities and differences between public action (protests, strikes, and
riots) and online social media response. By utilizing data gathered from a
collection of subjects within online communities that have experienced, firsthand, events of turmoil, I intend to effectively conduct my research. In
particular, I plan to set my sights on the motives influenced by various
contributing factors, such as education, politics, and culture.
Specifically concerning the previously mentioned contributing
elements, the question that I intend to address is: How do social media users
of Puerto Rican cultures respond/react to current affairs of their society?
With so many online communities that

are designated for information pertaining to specific cultures and locales,


throughout the Caribbean and beyond, there is an abundance of existing
online space that could be potentially relevant to my research topic. It is
important to consider that the people of Caribbean cultures, in recent years,
have made significant use of online communities, just as we have, notably
expanding the room for research opportunities. Ideally, I plan to incorporate
Twitter and Facebook usage of various subjects, in order to record each
subjects approach to online community participation.

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
By analyzing the information that selected subjects are talking
(posting) about, I plan to make note of the differences in the way various
subjects respond/react to the culture-specific news displayed on their
respective news feeds. I will also make note of literacy trends amongst
participants, identifying how their culture and cultural movements influences
their respective literacy practices, and how various social media platforms
influence how they construct posts. Because much of the research
previously conducted concerns earlier time periods, I find that my particular
effort offers a more current perspective, especially considering the inclusion
of social media. As we transition into this digital world, it is crucial to
consider how these online tools are utilized to speak one's mind and either
support or oppose timely protests. An upside to this research is to further our
understanding of social media uses beyond serving as a form of basic
communication between individuals or groups of individuals. The currency of
this project will be applicable to future research of a similar nature, as well.

Literature Review
As a means of better understanding how various communities react
to societal issues concerning subsequent protests, strikes, riots, or other
forms of response, this research effort specifically analyzes issues that have
been faced the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. Response to crisis in Puerto

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
Rico is often associated with economic and educational hardship, while
disaster response is often a result of natural disasters, especially hurricanes.
In particular, the social media response is thoroughly examined, in
comparison/contrast with the aforementioned responses of physical action.
This approach should, in turn, contribute to the understanding of social media
use, as an [evolving] tool for expression of thought, opinion, and so forth,
regarding similar issues. An article/report published by The New York Times
commented on students protest efforts at the University of Puerto Rico,
during a period of economic crisis of the same year. The authors call attention
to their observation of student protesters utilizing computers and laptops with
wireless network access, on campus property, to spread the word about the
strike (Fitzsimmons & Sosa-Pascual, Student Protests Tie Up Campuses in
Puerto Rico). It can be noted, then, that many students consider social media
and the Internet to be an effective space for publicizing their personal
thoughts on the matter.
Though the underlying intention for this research is relevant to the
study of social media use (Facebook and Twitter, among others), it is
important to consider how the online response compares to the physical
response of protests and strikes. A report by the North American Congress of
Latin America confirms that a single-day strike in Puerto Ricos capital of San

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
Juan saw about 200,000 demonstrators pour into the streets to protest the
economic and labor

policies, which were implemented by the conservative administration of


that particular time period. The report addresses that the strikes and protests
were in response to the administrations decision to lay off more than 17,000
government workers (Bonilla & Martnez, Puerto Rico in Crisis). This
response is directly linked to the recession that the island experienced, which
began as a result of [former] governor Luis Fortuos recovery plan. In
considering the relationship between this report and the aforementioned
Fitzsimmons and Sosa-Pascual article, the significance of the physical
response (strikes and protests) is evident. It is apparent, then, that this was a
consistent response exhibited by citizens of the island, and that there is no
doubt as to the significance of the strikes and protests that ensued.
Considering the prevalence of social media usage during this time period,
however, its use should be as strongly regarded as the physical response.
What will be investigated, in this situation, is how the approach to social
media response differs from the physical response.
Educause Review published a journal article that examined the social
interaction associated with events such as the Virginia Tech shooting and the
Southern California Wildfires of 2007. The research team involved with the

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
Virginia Tech crisis, for example, monitored newsfeeds across Facebook,
among other social media platforms, in order to investigate and assess the
relevant information being posted/shared. It can be noted that social media
usage is important to consider, in any current crisis event, as an outlet for
individuals to share information, converse, and express personal thoughts or
opinions. In turn, these research activities, as the article states, move us in
directions of policy change, innovative technology

design, and new theory about social interaction in disaster events (Palen,
Online Social Media in Crisis Events). It may be concluded, then, that in a
time period of growing use in social media (for various purposes), it exists,
moreover, as a medium of disaster/emergency warning, response, and
recovery.
In light of disaster events in Puerto Rico, one particular article analyzes
the view toward media-audience relationships during Hurricane Georges,
which affected Mayagez, Puerto Rico, in 1998 (Perez-Lugo, Media Uses in
Disaster Situations). Though online social media platforms were not
pertinent during this time period, this research analyzed other forms of
media, which included televised interviews with those directly affected by
the natural disaster. Much like the New York Times publication, this journal
article addresses the significance of expression through media, by way of

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
distinct outlets, respective to each time period. As a result, it is clear that the
expression of thought and opinion toward crisis events is not a new concept.
Certainly, it should be considered that the birth of social media has simply
established a new channel of personal expression of opinion and perspective.
My research, then, will further contribute to the understanding of how
expression of thoughts and opinions toward events of societal concern has
changed, over time.

Methods
For the purpose of this research effort, I intend to interview individuals
that have expressed personal perspective and opinion toward crisis events in
Puerto Rico. A particularly effective method, in doing so, will require the
research of qualitative information across Facebook and Twitter, primarily,
while also conducting interviews with those that participated in the
strikes/interviews surrounding Puerto Ricos economic decline. By utilizing
Twitter hashtags, I managed to discover a substantial handful of Tweets by
protesters and student protestors, concerning the University of Puerto Rico
campus strike, spanning from April 2010 through February 2011.

Garrett Ivn Coln

10

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April

26, 2015
#UPRStrike
#LuchaUPR
#HuelgaUPR
#ParoUPR

The following hashtags, meaning PR unemployment and PR strike,


respectively, yielded an even greater number of results, the majority of
which were Tweeted on October 15, 2009, the date of the major
unemployment strike.

#ParoPR
HuelgaPR

Relevant posts were shared through December 2010, showing that user
interest remained consistent for over a year, following the strikes of October
15th. In contacting the

individuals found on Twitter, Ill be inquiring whether or not they made use of
other social media platforms (Facebook, in particular), making note of how
their approach to [posting] literacy differs, dependent upon the platform. I
intend to ask questions such as How does Twitters character limit restrict
you from saying what youd like to say? This research approach will also
consider movements of physical action that occurred, consequently. As such,
Ill be conducting interviews with those individuals associated with the strikes

Garrett Ivn Coln

11

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
and protests that ensued, asking questions like What motivated you to
participate in the strikes/protests? and How do your physical expressions
reflect your expected outcome of the events? As for those involved on social
media and directly involved in the strikes and protests, I intend to document
any trends in responses, code said responses as such. Ill also make note of
any particular responses that stand out in a way that will progress toward
the understanding of social medias effect on societal movements.
Understanding how the respective approaches of those that incorporated
social media in their efforts, as opposed to those that solely participated in
physical response, will be a crucial step to take, in determining how social
media is utilized as a tool for protest for any relevant situation. Noting the
difference in impact between the physical response and social response will,
in turn, help promote the understanding of the significance of social media in
disasters/crisis events.

I intend to interview and distribute a survey to those involved on social


media containing the following questions:

Garrett Ivn Coln

12

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
Which social platforms did you use to express your thoughts/concerns
surrounding the economic and educational crises on the island? Why?

How frequently did you post about the events?

What forms of media, if any, did you share to represent your opinions
(i.e., photographs/videos/memes)?

In what way, if at all, did certain social media platforms restrict the
point that you tried to get across (consider Twitter's character limit)?

Did you participate in strikes and other forms of physical protest, as


well? If so, how did your social media response differ?

Conclusion

Garrett Ivn Coln

13

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
In all, the aforementioned elements should work together to, in turn,
result in a successful approach to my research. My intention is for this
research to contribute to a broader understanding of social media use, as it
relates to various crisis/disaster situations. While social media is often
viewed as a form of general communication between individuals, it should
also be regarded as a medium of expression, given an event of societal
concern. The difference between the online social response and the physical
response should be considered, especially as it relates to literacy/writing
style. Each respective social media outlet has restrictions, if you will, each
of which may influence the way users respond online. Because media has
existed for many years, its crucial to consider how forms of media have
changed, over time. In disaster situations of previous generations, such as
the 1998 hurricane Georges that hit Puerto Rico, news broadcasts and
televised interviews were a common outlet for individuals to speak their
mind and offer some degree of perspective regarding their concern. Today,
social media platforms have further enhanced that opportunity, giving nearly
anyone the chance to make information spreadable across the Web. Of
course, social responses require a different approach to protest than
participating in a strike or a riot, for example. Therefore, this research should
also conclude the similarities and differences between the approaches to
both forms of human protest. In all, I trust that this research will further

Garrett Ivn Coln

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ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
contribute to the current literature existing in the field of writing and rhetoric,
offering a new perspective on the uses of social media and its influence on
literacy.

Works Cited
Bonilla, Yarimar, Bogilo Martinez, Rafael A. Puerto Rico in Crisis: Government
Workers Battle Neoliberal Reform. NACLA Report on the Americas 1
Jan. 2010: 6-8. Web. 19 Mar 2015.

Browne, Kevin A. Tropic Tendencies: Rhetoric, Popular Culture, and the


Anglophone

Caribbean. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2013.

Print.

Palen, Leysia. Online Social Media in Crisis Events. Educause Quarterly 31.3
(2008): 76- 78. Web. 4 April 2015.

Perez-Lugo, Marla. Media Uses in Disaster Situations: A New Focus on the


Impact
2015.

Phase. Sociological Inquiry 74.2 (2004): 210-225. Web. 20 Mar

Garrett Ivn Coln

15

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
Sosa-Pascual, Omaya, Fitzsimmons, Emma G. Student Protests Tie Up
Campuses in Puerto
2015.

Rico. New York Times. 20 May 2010. Web. 19 Mar

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