Borikén Syllabus 2.0 Part 1: Land Acknowledgement & Labor Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement
San Juan is part of Borikén (boh-ree-KEN or bo-ri-KEHN), ancestral land of the Taíno people, whose presence, knowledge, descendants, and struggles remain part of Puerto Rico’s past, present, and future.
In coming to Puerto Rico, we pay respect to all facets of this land—the terrain, the air, the water, and the life that exists here—recognizing that the Indigenous peoples understand a balance that we, as visitors, must critically reflect upon today.
We honor the Taíno people and the African Ancestors who were brought to these harbors; it was through their forced labor and immense resilience that the very foundations of this city were built. Their presence remains vibrant and woven into the soul of the island: it is found in the sounds of the coquí, the fragrance of the flor de maga, the rhythms of la música, and the sabores of the food.
We recognize the Borikén archipelago as a focal point for the ongoing struggle for self-determination and resilience of the comunidad. This has been shaped by Spanish colonialism, African enslavement, U.S. occupation, migration and enduring colonial legacies. We stand in solidarity with those working toward a future for Puerto Rico defined by equity, sovereignty, and the protection of its natural beauty.
Labor Acknowledgement
As members of the Association of the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), we respectfully acknowledge the labor exploitation of the Indigenous Taíno and enslaved African Ancestors, whose lives and labor built the foundation of the island of Puerto Rico’s economic and institutional wealth.
We acknowledge the centuries of colonial exploitation under Spanish rule, the devastating impact of the transatlantic slave trade, and the ongoing colonial subjugation by the United States. We also recognize the enduring struggle of economically marginalized and working-class Puerto Ricans, whose communities have been structurally disenfranchised and whose labor has been exploited to maintain systems that benefit the few at the expense of the many.
Furthermore, we acknowledge how labor continues to be extracted and exploited today—specifically through carceral systems, migrant labor, and informal economies. Collectively, we honor the rich legacy of resistance and survival of these communities in the face of both Spanish and U.S. imperial rule.
Crucially, we recognize the often-invisible labor of those who make our ASHE conference experience possible. Without their work, we could not gather. We explicitly lift up and thank the hotel staff, food service staff, convention center staff, transportation providers, maintenance crews, caregivers, community partners, and volunteers whose daily contributions are too often overlooked.
As members of ASHE, we commit to being responsible visitors. We acknowledge our debt to those whose labor and sacrifice built Borikén's infrastructure, and we commit to alignment with local struggles for self-determination and labor justice.