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
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

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
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 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, first-hand, 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

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
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.
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.

Garrett Ivn Coln

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

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
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 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

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
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 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.

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
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.

#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

Garrett Ivn Coln

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
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 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.

Garrett Ivn Coln

10

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
I intend to interview and distribute a survey to those involved on social media containing
the following questions:

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?

Garrett Ivn Coln

11

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
Conclusion
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 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.

Garrett Ivn Coln

12

ENC 3502
Prof. S. Vie
April 26, 2015
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): 7678. Web. 4 April 2015.

Perez-Lugo, Marla. Media Uses in Disaster Situations: A New Focus on the Impact
Phase. Sociological Inquiry 74.2 (2004): 210-225. Web. 20 Mar 2015.

Sosa-Pascual, Omaya, Fitzsimmons, Emma G. Student Protests Tie Up Campuses in Puerto

Rico. New York Times. 20 May 2010. Web. 19 Mar 2015.