Was President Biden Really Raised by Puerto Ricans?

There have been numerous claims and counterclaims regarding the upbringing of President Joe Biden, particularly concerning his alleged connection to the Puerto Rican community. Many have wondered whether Biden was truly raised by Puerto Ricans, as he suggested in a statement. This article aims to clarify the facts and examine the arguments on both sides.

Contradictions within Claims

As a Puerto Rican myself, I hold significant reservations about these claims. The true Puerto Rican communities are predominantly found in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. Other areas with a presence of Puerto Ricans, while notable, do not constitute full community representation. The manner in which Biden has behaved throughout his political career suggests a discomfort with the Puerto Rican community, a point worth considering.

Discrepancies in Biden's Background

It’s important to note that President Biden did not claim to have been raised by Puerto Ricans in his formative years. His statement was a more nuanced reference to the Puerto Rican community's influence on his political career. Here is the exact quote he provided: But we have a very in relative terms large Puerto Rican population in Delaware — relative to our population. We have the eighth-largest Black population in the country. And between all minorities we have 20 percent of our state is minority. And so I — I was sort of raised in the Puerto Rican community at home politically.

Analysis of Biden's Statement

Biden’s use of the phrase sort of indicates that his involvement with the Puerto Rican community in Delaware was more symbolic and political rather than personal and upbringing-related. The term politically further emphasizes this point, as he was referring to his political roots and affiliations, not his childhood environment. This statement should be interpreted within the context of his political career and connections rather than his upbringing.

Other Political Leaders and Puerto Rican Communities

It’s worth noting that billionaire businessman Donald Trump, despite having lived in New York and employing many Puerto Ricans, never made similar claims about his upbringing or political influence. My own sister, who worked for Trump in New York, has a photo of him playing dominoes with the people in the basement of his tower, indicating an understanding and familiarity with minority cultures, contrary to Biden’s portrayal.

Implications for Biden’s Claims

While it’s possible that Biden may have grown up in a city with some Puerto Rican presence, it is evident that he was not raised in a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood, at least not within his claims. The exaggerations and misinterpretations surrounding his statements raise doubts about the accuracy of his claims and the sincerity behind them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, President Biden's statement about being sort of raised in the Puerto Rican community at home politically does not necessarily mean he was raised by Puerto Ricans or in a predominantly Puerto Rican environment. This claim should be examined through the lens of his political career and not misconstrued to imply a personal upbringing in such a community.

References

1. White House Official Website 2. Blog 3. Politico Article