Carmen Yulin Cruz Quotes

Powerful Carmen Yulin Cruz for Daily Growth

About Carmen Yulin Cruz

Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto (born August 17, 1964) is a prominent Puerto Rican politician, best known for her leadership during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Born and raised in San Juan, she studied political science at the University of Puerto Rico before pursuing a law degree from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. Cruz began her public service career as a municipal councilwoman for San Juan in 2013, winning a special election to fill a vacancy. Her charismatic and assertive leadership style quickly made her a prominent figure in Puerto Rican politics. In 2017, she was elected Mayor of San Juan, making her the first openly lesbian mayor of a major city in Latin America. Following Hurricane Maria's devastating impact on Puerto Rico, Cruz gained international attention for her criticism of the federal response to the crisis. She repeatedly called out President Donald Trump for his perceived lack of action and empathy, earning both praise and criticism worldwide. Her most famous quote during this time was, "I am begging, begging anyone who can hear us, to save us from dying." Cruz's tenure as mayor has been marked by a focus on education reform, infrastructure development, and economic growth for San Juan. She has also been an outspoken advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate justice. In 2019, she was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year alongside other activists from around the world. Despite facing numerous challenges, Cruz remains a beacon of hope and resilience for Puerto Ricans both on and off the island. Her story serves as a testament to the power of leadership, compassion, and determination in the face of adversity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Help is on the way. Stay there!"

The quote by Carmen Yulín Cruz, "Help is on the way. Stay there!", implies reassurance and encouragement in times of crisis or hardship. It suggests that aid, support, or resolution is imminent, while also advising the recipient to remain in their current location until help arrives. This quote instills hope, resilience, and patience during challenging situations, encouraging people to endure and wait for assistance rather than trying to navigate through difficulties alone.


"We will get to the bottom of this. We will find the truth."

This quote by Carmen Yulín Cruz indicates her determination to uncover the facts and truth regarding a certain situation, likely in reference to a crisis or challenging event. It underscores her commitment to transparency, accountability, and resilience in the face of adversity.


"I am not afraid of the dirty game politics, I am afraid for the future of Puerto Rico."

This quote by Carmen Yulín Cruz highlights her courage in navigating the complexities of political gamesmanship, while expressing deep concern for the well-being and future of Puerto Rico. In essence, she prioritizes the welfare of her nation over personal comfort or fear of political maneuvering, underscoring her unwavering commitment to Puerto Rico's prosperity amidst political turmoil.


"They say everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

This quote by Carmen Yulín Cruz emphasizes the inherent power individuals possess: the ability to control their mindset, or "choose their own attitude," regardless of their external circumstances. It suggests that even when faced with adversity, we retain the freedom to decide how we respond and approach our situation, which can significantly impact our overall resilience and outcome. This idea is profound because it highlights the human capacity for agency and optimism in the face of hardship, encouraging individuals to maintain hope and strength through challenging times.


"We are not second-class citizens, and we will not be treated as such."

This quote emphasizes a strong sense of equality and self-worth. Puerto Rican politician Carmen Yulin Cruz is saying that the people she represents - presumably Puerto Ricans - should not be considered or treated as inferior to others, regardless of their location or status. She asserts their dignity and demands respect and fair treatment, asserting that they deserve equal status in society.


You don't fight injustice by asking to become part of the system that committed the injustice against you in the first place. That's like a freed slave striving to become a slave owner.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Injustice, Committed, Owner, Striving

When I was in school, I was too short to erase the blackboard. It was my job to put away the chairs.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

School, Away, Too, Erase

When you're drinking from a creek, it's not a good news story. When you don't have food for a baby, it's not a good news story.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

News, Good News, Drinking, News Story

When someone is bothered by someone claiming lack of drinking water, lack of medicine for the sick, and lack of food for the hungry, that person has problems too deep to be explained in an interview.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Deep, Medicine, Drinking, Interview

Yes, there is racism. There is discrimination. Mr. Trump may have the most powerful job in the world, but that does not make him a respectful person.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Racism, May, Trump, Respectful

If President Trump were to say, 'I'm going to go to San Juan to see that nasty mayor,' I would receive him with open arms because democracy is larger than me.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Trump, Larger, Juan, Open Arms

I am done being polite. I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell, so I am asking the members of the press to send a mayday call all over the world.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Over, Polite, Correct, Send

There are people who do everything for a calculative political motive. My only motive is a human motive.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Political, Everything, Only, Motive

I don't have the freaking energy to write a memo. I'm out there saving lives.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Saving, Lives, Memo, Energy

While the American people have had a big heart, President Trump has had a big mouth, and he has used it to insult the people of Puerto Rico.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Big, Puerto Rico, Trump, Big Heart

I often say to my friends that I felt too Puerto Rican to live in the States; then I felt too American to live in Puerto Rico. So when I settled back in Puerto Rico in 1992, I had to come to terms with all of that.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

American, Back, Puerto Rican, Rico

What really is nasty is showing your back to the Puerto Rican people.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Back, Your, Puerto Rican, Puerto

I wanted to be mayor, but my party didn't want me. I was perhaps too liberal.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Mayor, Perhaps, Wanted, Liberal

Sometimes you have to shake the tree in order to make things happen. And if that has a political cost, I will take it, as long as it saves lives.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Happen, Cost, Shake, Things Happen

Politics is a rough game, and sometimes as females we are taught that you have to play nice. Sometimes you can't play nice.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Politics, Game, Play, Females

I want to make sure that people understand that we know the difference between President Trump and the good-hearted people and the good-natured people of the United States. We know they're not one and the same.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Trump, Sure, United States, Good-Natured

People don't realize they have the power. People don't realize that if they come together, there are more of them than those who occupy the seat that I'm in right now.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

More, Come, Occupy, Seat

My job is to make life better for people, and you cannot make life better if you are in a helicopter. You can't make life better for them if you can't touch them.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

People, Touch, Them, Helicopter

I don't have time for politics. There is a mission, and that is to save lives.

- Carmen Yulin Cruz

Politics, Mission, Lives, Save

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