Puerto Rican American Culture Research Paper

Puerto Rican American Culture Research Paper
Puerto Rican culture, like most cultures today, can be difficult to fit into a perfect descriptive box
due to a rich heritage and history full of cultural and racial mixing that make up Its people. Taino
Indians, Spanish settlers, African slaves, various immigrants, and eventually Americans, after they
acquired the Island of Puerto Rico in 1898, have all influenced the culture of Puerto Rico. It was not
until 1917, that Puerto Ricans received common United States citizenship. Puerto Ricans are as
American as you or me, but the descendants of Puerto Rico will always consider themselves Puerto
Rican and take great pride in their land and their culture. Today it is estimated that there are more
than 8.6M Puerto Rican Americans and only approximately ... Show more content on
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Puerto Ricans often talk in a loud tone during everyday conversations, they are very expressive and
may utilize gestures. Their communication style is indirect, and they do not make eye contact, even
finding it disrespectful. Puerto Ricans do not value personal space like Americans do, they converse
very closely and may be offended if you back away. Touch and closeness are valued in their culture.
It is also a cultural norm to interrupt during communication. Puerto Ricans avoid confrontation and
will even leave out the truth to maintain social harmony. They are a genuine and accepting culture
that will greet you with a
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Puerto Rican Beauty Standards Essay
As of recently, the media has been flooded with positive interpretations of beauty standards all over
the world. According to various sources, beauty ideals, in women especially, are socially constructed
in order to judge a person's value based on physical attractiveness; therefore, it is highly encouraged
that people pay attention to their looks and take care of themselves, in order for others to create a
positive first impression of one's character. It is no secret that beauty standards vary from one
culture to the next and it is difficult to establish a universal principle of what is considered beautiful.
Many countries' ideals contrast one another and, as a result, allow for stereotypes to emerge. This is
the case between American ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It is not uncommon that you'll hear Puerto Ricans refer to themselves as the mutts of the Spanish
community, this is because of the island's history. Soon after Christopher Columbus "discovered" the
island in 1493, it became known as the "rich port" for the Spanish or Puerto Rico, due to the fact
that it produced mass amounts of cattle, sugar cane, tobacco, and coffee, especially considering the
island's size. Such prosperity and wealth opened the door for the slave trade to enter the colony, and
as a result Puerto Rican bloodlines and cultures evolved not only from the Spanish, but also from
Africans, and indigenous Taíno and Carib people ("Puerto Rico– History and Heritage"). In addition,
over the centuries many failed attempts where made by the French, Dutch, and English to conquer
the island which even further changed the bloodlines. Of course, as history has it, at the end of the
Spanish American war in 1898, the Treaty of Paris declared the the Spanish would surrender Puerto
Rico to the United States, therefore infiltrating American culture and beauty ideals.
One of the most charming statements ever made about Puerto Rican diversity goes as follows:
Their skins were like a rainbow of toasted wood...Some skins were very fair, as fair as his, but they
betrayed another something against the bone. Their

The West Side Story, Missrepresents Puerto Ricans
HOW "WEST SIDE STORY" MISSREPRESENTS PUERTO RICANS
YourFirstName YourLastName
Course Title
February 18, 2015
How "West Side Story" Misrepresents Puerto Ricans
The west side story is a story about two gangs, the Sharks, who represent the Puerto Ricans and Jets,
representing 'the real Americans'. The two gangs are ever at loggerheads, with hatred and constant
confrontations best describing their relationship. Many critics have shot down the praise of this film,
by openly stating that, it falsely represented Puerto Ricans, by how it depicted them. The story itself
is based in the 1950s, in one of the neighborhoods in New York City. (Hernández Vazquez 2002,
371). The neighborhood is a hard place to live in and from the start we are introduced to two
warring groups fighting for the control of the neighborhood. This neighborhood is a place where
ethnic and racial profiling are strife (Sandoval Sanchez 1999, 72). This paper discusses how the west
side story, silences some of the historical injustices associated with the united states colonialism of
Puerto Rico and then try to bring out how the Puerto Ricans characters are stereotypically portrayed
in the film.
The west side story tries to silence the historical injustices associated with United States colonialism
of Puerto Rico in a number of ways. In the beginning, we are introduced to Puerto Ricans who are
referred to as the sharks, to portray them as the bad guys and then we have the Jets who represent
the

Puerto Rican Culture : Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is one of the twenty–eight Caribbean island nations and is slightly smaller
than the state of Connecticut. Its climate is tropical, rainy, and warm. The population of the island is
3,994,259 and its capital is San Juan (Atienza, Cardona). According to the 2008 U.S. Census,
America is home to over 4 million Puerto Ricans, 25 percent of them living in New York with an
estimated 900,000 living in New York City (Kittler, Sucher, Nelms 263). Since there is such a large
amount of Puerto Ricans living within New York, their food and culture have made an impact on the
cuisine of these highly populous cities. There are many restaurants in New York City along with
other major cities that include traditional Puerto Rican foods which will be discussed throughout the
paper. Puerto Rican culture is extremely interesting and worth reading about! Puerto Rican cuisine
includes a decently wide array of options including different animals, crops, beverages, and plants.
There are no well–known inedible foods in Puerto Rico. The animals most commonly eaten in
Puerto Rico include chicken, pork sausage, turkey, beef, pork chops, spare ribs, and marinated pork.
The animals most common to Puerto Rico are chickens, cattle, pigs, horses, goats, sheep, mules, and
asses (Magaly). Fish is also eaten, but in smaller quantities than other meats (Syracuse). Daily diets
of Puerto Ricans usually include rice, beans, starchy vegetables, sofrito, and bacalao (Kittler,
Sucher, Nelms

Puerto Rican Identity
The turbulent relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico is reflected in some shape or
form in the literature of Puerto Rican and neorriqueño authors. In writings it is a relationship of
systematic oppression and racial and class discrimination, not only between Puerto Rican Americans
but all Latino Americans as they moved north searching for the "American Dream" only to find that
it is nothing but mere fantasy. Neorriqueño poets such as Tato Laviera, Julia de Burgos, Pedro Pietri,
and many others write in their verses about experiences of discrimination inside of the United
States. Yet at the same time some of these verses speak about taking pride in an identity that is both
American and Puerto Rican, a mixed, or mestiza, self identity. In exploring these positive and
negative concepts within the poetry of Laviera, de Burgos, and Pietri, an understanding can be
reached of the complexities of the United States–Puerto Rican/neorriqueño relationship and the
power of poetic expression of neorriqueño identity. Pietri's "Puerto Rican Obituary" is overall a
bleak representation of the lives of a group of Puerto Rican immigrants who moved to the city of
New York in search of the "American Dream." A sense of these peoples' lives being an endless cycle
of oppression is expressed through repetitive language in the poem
They worked They worked They worked and they died They died broke They died owing They died
never knowing. (Pietri, 49)
This repetition, in other words

Puerto Rican Migration
Puerto Rico has a unique relationship with the United States. Its people are glad to be part of
America, yet the cling to their heritage fiercely. Puerto Rico is not a state of the United States, but it
is a territory, which grants them different privileges and responsibilities. This paper will compare
and contrast Puerto Rico with the United States.
The United States claimed Puerto Rico as its territory in 1898 after the Spanish–American War. The
island's residents became citizens in 1917 just – in time for 20,000 Puerto Ricans to be drafted into
World War I the next year by a compulsory act by then President Woodrow Wilson (Puerto Rico
Report, 2012). Since then Puerto Rican soldiers have served right beside American soldiers in every
U.S. military battle (Puerto Rico Report, 2012),
Jesus Hernandez Sanchez, counsel of the Puerto Rico Veterans Association, testified before the U.S.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in 1989. He summarized the Puerto Rican
participation and sacrifice in service to the United States: "[Puerto Rico veterans] are very proud of
their past performance; 18,000 Puerto Ricans served World War I; 65,000 during World War II with
23 casualties; 61,000 during the Korean War with 371 casualties. In the Korean War, more than
3,000 ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
They have a word in their culture that means close family connections; it is "familismo" (They
believe individual family members should always do what is best for the family collectively. This
contrasts to the American way of life where young people spend more time with their friends and
listen to them more than their parents. Family honor is also an important part of the Puerto Rican
culture. They often live with three generations in one household and accept this as the norm. In
America, there tends to only be the nuclear family in its circle. Rarely do grandparents and aunts or
uncles live with families in the United

Puerto Rican Music as Representation of Their History and...
Puerto Rican Music as Representation of Their History and Culture
Puerto Rican music is an evolving art form that expresses Puerto Rican culture and identity. The
development of Puerto Rican music is also a reflection of their history, both being complicated by
several layers. Social, political, and economic conditions are all related to the musical expressions of
Puerto Ricans (Glasser, 8). Puerto Rican migration to the United States and the culture clash
experienced by migrants is another layer complicating the evolution of Puerto Rican music (Glasser,
199). Musical expression has been affected by every aspect of life for the Puerto Ricans and
therefore is an illustration of the Puerto Rican experience.
Economic conditions in ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
One musical form excepted by the upper class is the danza. This form was considered European and
was claimed by the upper class as the primary national music of Puerto Rico as an act of protest
against Spain; The danza was initially view as a hybrid musical form,
"But with the growth of nationalist sentiment, the 'invasion' of Cuban and North American dance
forms, the growing presence of Afro–Puerto Rican popular music from 'below', by the late
nineteenth and early twentieth century the upper classes had positively sanctified the danza as the
national music of Puerto Rico. Overtime and in defensive reaction to rapid social, economic, and
political change, the danza became a potent national symbol" (Glasser, 195).
The irony of the elite's claim to the danza is that the musical profession was not considered a
respectable occupation and was therefore only practiced by mulatos or negritos, mainly of the
working class (Glasser, 58).It was common for Puerto Ricans of color to perform for white–only
establishments (Glasser, 58)
For mulatos and negritos, music was a profession that could lead to social mobility (Glasser, 58).
Many musicians were of the working–class and had primary jobs to support themselves during
periods of unemployment for musical performers. Many worked as artisans, making cigars or
producing coffee (Glasser, 50). Changing economic conditions on the island hindered the chances
for social mobility for

The History and Culture of Puerto Ricans Essay
The History and Culture of Puerto Ricans
ETHNICITY AND EMPOWERMENT IN THE MIGRATION EXPERIENCE
The Puerto Rican people have a rich history of culture and ethnicity. Despite the many migrations of
the Puerto Ricans, an intense spirit of ethnicity and cultural pride has followed these people
wherever they have gone, whether that be migrations from rural areas to industrialized cities or from
the small island of Puerto Rico to the vast mainland of the United States. However, the struggles of
these people have become obscured over the passing of generations. As evidenced by Shakira
Ramos, generations of Puerto Ricans born and raised in the United States aren't always well
informed of the rich history of their ancestors. Shakira admits ... Show more content on
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"The migratory currents of the time foreshadow later massive displacements" (345). These later
migrations would ensue for the duration of the entire twentieth century, bringing increasing numbers
of Puerto Ricans into the United States.
With the Spanish American War of 1898 came added difficulty for the population of Puerto Rico.
Recently acquired by the United States, citizens of Puerto Rico were actually citizens of nowhere
until granted statutory citizenship to the United States in 1917. The Jones Act of 1917 merely
granted Puerto Ricans a status of citizenship, which was not equivalent to the constitutional
citizenship. This partial citizenship, however, did not prevent the United States from drafting Puerto
Ricans into the armed forces during World War I, or from recruiting Puerto Ricans to labor in
defense industries during the time of war. The desire for full citizenship as well as poor economic
conditions in the homeland resulted in the migrations of many Puerto Ricans to the United States
throughout the twentieth century.
One measure taken to benefit the Puerto Ricans was the passing of the Johnson Act in 1921, which
restricted the immigration of Europeans to the United States. Passing this act created increased
availability of jobs for Puerto Ricans choosing to migrate to the United States in search of better
employment opportunities than could be found in their homeland. While the aim of the Johnson Act

Puerto Rican And American Culture
Puerto Rican has always been an area of interest to America, and United States government has had
dealings with them over the past hundred or so years. Puerto Rico is a small island off the coast of
the more southeast tip of the United States right below the tip of Florida. The island is located in the
caribbean sea and is among an island chain of different islands like Jamaica, Cuba, and the island of
Haiti. Puerto Rico just like many other territory in the caribbean sea became under United States
control in one way or another starting in the early 1900s. The United States saw Puerto Rican, as "a
desirable possession given its strategic location, potential markets, and agricultural possibilities."
(Scupin, p209) The Puerto Rican American people faced many challenges and accomplishments
when they first came to America; there contributions to American culture are vast, and there
immigration history is full of stores of hardship and togetherness.
The Puerto Rican people just like the Mexican American people became part of America's by
conquest and not by choice. Business dealing with Puerto Rican seemed to shape its history with the
United States, and was the main reason for Puerto Rican becoming a United State territory. Once
settled on the mainland Puerto Ricans had to deal with prejuect and missunderstandings due to fact
that they spoke spanish, but were not from Mexcio. "Because Puerto Ricans call themselves
Hispanics or Latinos, they group themselves with Mexicans,

Puerto Rican Obituary Essay
Puerto Rican Obituary
The United States is known as the nation of immigrants. People from all over the world come to the
United States for opportunities and their better lives. While moving to this country, all immigrants
bring their culture and identity. Most of them spend their lives working full time to fulfill their
American dream. I am also an immigrant. I came to United States in 2013 and started to work
fulltime in Dunkin donut. So, work come first before anything else. It's been a slogan for each and
every immigrants in the United States. The famous Puerto Rican author, Pedro Pietri tried to explain
how immigrants are living their life in America, through his poem "Puerto Rican Obituary". Pedro
Pietri was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
"They never took days off that were not on the calendar" (Pietri 174). Puerto Ricans were work
ethics they had never took break and they had never spoke back. They lived with hope one day they
would be able to fulfill their American dream but they died just with work experienced. It is not only
the story of Puerto. But it is the truth of all of those immigrants who will come to American to
complete their dream to be an American one day. I have my neighbor who came to United States in
2000. They had faced lots of difficulties when they came here. The main problem they have to deal
with is communication as language barrier. They used to work days a week. They never get chance
to celebrate their festivals, they have no family lives. They are motivated by the people who own
nice houses and new cars. They had temporary visa and had to wait long time to get citizenship.
They are not familiar with the American cultures. They need to find the cash payment work. All the
immigrants have to face the challenge and the difficulties to emerge in to the new world it is the
story of each immigrants who are migrated to America. America is really the melting pot. It is
completely new environment for all the immigrants mostly those people who are migrated from
under developing country like Nepal. Pietri has explained similar story in his poem about the Puerto
Rican dream about new houses, cars and television and that encourage them to work more

The Impact Of Spanish Rule On Puerto Ricans Today
The Impact of Spanish Rule on Puerto Ricans Today
What was Puerto Rico like under Spanish rule, and how important is that rule to the formation of the
Puerto Rican people today? To answer these questions, we must take a look at the history of the
Spanish and their colonization of the island of Puerto Rico.
As we know, Puerto Rico was a colony of Spain "found" by Christopher Columbus on November
19, 1493, and remained a colony of Spain for the next 400 years. But the interesting fact remains
that Puerto Rico was not truly settled by the Spaniards until almost fifteen years later! In 1508, Juan
Ponce de Leon came to settle the land of Borinken, and founded the town of Caparra. This was the
start of a proud people that would ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The few surviving Tainos took off to the mountains for survival. The first two important elements of
whom and what makes up Puerto Rican people, is here. The Taino Indians are 1/3 of the element.
The second element, were the Spaniards.
The Spanish now were the main people of the island, but there was only one problem now. There
was no more gold to be found (which was the original reason most of the Spaniards came), and
Puerto Rico had to be productive to Spain in some fashion.
Facing the fact that there was no more gold, the Spaniards looked to the rich land and soil for the
next way that Puerto Rico could help the Kingdom of Spain. They raised cattle, and they planted
staple crops, but sugarcane was the bread and butter so to speak. The only problem was that they
could only trade with Spain for a long time and Spain grew their own sugarcane, too. But let's not
jump ahead of ourselves here. What was needed was a labor force to work these fields, and the
Taino Indians were living in the Hinterlands. There was no way they were going to work those
fields.
This brings us to the third main element that makes up the Puerto Rican people. This third main
element, were the African slaves that were brought in. In fact, the three main elements were all
together on the island of Puerto Rico in a relatively short time span. The proof of this is

The Racial Struggles of Puerto Ricans Essay
The Racial Struggles of Puerto Ricans
Another large component of Puerto Ricanness is Race. All of the different cultures that have
throughout history combined to form Puerto Rico effect their nationality, history, lifestyles,
traditions, music, and foods.
The "discovery" or infiltration of the island of Borinquen (or Puerto Rico as it was later renamed) in
1493 by Spain resulted in the decimation of the native Taino population. With the loss of an
immediate source of cheap labor to work the fields for their sugar cane industry, they introduced
African culture into the region by importing slaves to replace the Taino field workers. In addition to
the introduction of African culture into Puerto Rico voluntary immigration brought ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Not necessarily the history but the story or interpretation of the past as perceived by the elite.
Gonzalez suggests that the recreation of the history of Puerto Rican society can be expressed
metaphorically as the construction of a building. "As the new layers of the history or floors are
added the foundation becomes more and more obscured from view" (Figueroa 9/15). As the higher
levels continued to build they were able to create the illusion of a "pure, white" society by rejecting
and denying their Taino and African heritage.
The United States gained Puerto Rico in 1898 through the Treaty of Paris, signed after the Spanish–
American. Although the Puerto Rican community initially embraced U.S. intervention in 1898,
hoping that the land of the free would finally bring liberty to the island, the following years were
full of disillusionment. The sad reality was that the U.S. had no intention of ever giving up control
of Puerto Rico because of its strategic location in the Caribbean. The United States government tried
to Americanize the island. Which was acceptable for the island in the eyes of the elite until their
power was being threatened. The elite's on the island looked to the Jibaro as their symbol of national
identity.
"In response to this situation, certain intellectuals turned to the margins of their society, where they

The Identity of an American Puerto Rican Essay
The Identity of an American Puerto Rican Am I "American" or "Puerto Rican", a question that
wanders along the halls of my mind all the time? Many Puerto Ricans might not agree, but I feel that
I am, "American", Puerto Rican American that is. As a child my own parents deprived me of my
culture and true identity. They spoke to me in a language that many Puerto Ricans refused or
detested to learn, English. The only thing I can actually say that I know about Puerto Rican heritage
is the comida we shared during family gatherings. "In Spanish the words are habichuelas con arroz;
in English, rice and beans; and in any language they translate into the food staples of island life" (p.
59, Fernandez). I went to Puerto Rico when I was four ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Though my readings can contradict such happy memories, I will soon talk about the political,
economic, social relations and identity issues that Puerto Ricans had to encounter after the Spanish–
American War and during the United States invasion and how it affected Puerto Ricans then and
now.
The political status, who cares about politics and its status? Well many Puerto Ricans did when the
United States invaded it. There were so many issues about the island wanting to be self–governed.
According to Fernandez, others wanted statehood, while still others adamantly opposed the
inclusion of the statehood ideal in any Union platform; to paraphrase one protester, the United States
was able to deny Puerto Rico both statehood and self–government. That was its right. "But it was
not able to deny the island its independence because that was a right of the Puerto Rican people" (p.
43). Still, until present day the island is indecisive about becoming a state or staying a
commonwealth or even being independent. After the Spanish–American War Puerto Ricans had
more of a decision to make about what they wanted to do with themselves. They weren't under
Spanish rule anymore, but inherited the American Government to help with certain affairs, though,
cries for help were sometimes ignored. For example, "on August 12, 1907, Jose De Diego stopped at
Oyster Bay to once again plead for more self–government". "When the petition was duly filed and,
like

The Identity of a Puerto Rican Essay
The Identity of a Puerto Rican
Sidney W. Mintz describes the Caribbean as "a scattering of some fifty inhabited units spanning
nearly 2, 500 miles of sea between Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the north coast of South
America, constitute the oldest colonial sphere of Western European overseas expansion... these
territories were dominated and navigated and explored, their aborigines had been thrust into the
consciousness of European monarchs, philosophers, and scientists" (17). The islands in the
Caribbean might have some common historical patterns of conquest, slavery and the development of
multi–cultural societies but each island has its own history, culture and identity. As part of the
Caribbean, Puerto Rico can identify with some of ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The first storey deals with the issue of the "first" Puerto Ricans, the mestizo culture of a
predominantly Afro Antillean type. The second storey is from the 18th to the 19th century and the
second wave of immigration, the third storey deals with the invasion of the United States in 1898
and finally, the fourth storey deals with an advancement American capitalism, industrialization and
migration. The United States plays an important role in the issue of Puerto Rican national identity.
Nancy Morris in her book Puerto Rico: Culture, Politics and Identity, writes, "The collective identity
of Puerto Ricans has been influenced by the island's relationship with the United States, but Puerto
Ricans have retained an identity that is distinct and separate from their sovereign power" (1).
The Taino Indians, The African and The Spanish
The Puerto Rican culture has three historical roots; the Taino Indian, the African and the Spanish.
The Africans became the most important for economic and social reasons. As part of the Spanish
conquest most of all the Taino Indians were exterminated. Both the Tainos and Africans were
trapped in the most oppressed stratum of the social pyramid, this allowed for cultural exchange
between the two group. Due to the lack of Spanish woman, the Spanish men also became involved
with both the Tainos and Africans. Gonzalez claims that, "when the descendants of the first African
slaves had already become black Puerto

Essay Perspectives on Jewish and Puerto Rican Immigrants
Perspectives on Jewish and Puerto Rican Immigrants
Although a number of ethnic groups migrated to the United States, their socio–cultural development
took an uneven course with certain ethnic groups achieving more success than others. What was it
that made one immigrant group succeed, while another never could? Was it only hard work that
determined success for immigrant groups that migrated to the United States during the 19th and
early 20th centuries, or were there other factors involved? The Jewish and Puerto Ricans were two
of among many immigrant groups who migrated to the United States during the 19th and 20th
centuries. Both groups perceived the United States as their path to prosperity. However, the fate of
these two ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The Jews could not tolerate any more of this oppression and immigrated to the United States in large
numbers. They saw the freedom that they had been searching for and perceived the United States as
their gateway to success. Once Jews arrived to the United States, they still faced tremendous
discrimination, but nowhere near the magnitude that they faced in Europe. An upsurge of anti–
Jewish feeling that was part of a general wave of resentment from other minority groups, including
Roman Catholics and African Americans, swept the United States between World War I and World
War II. Anti–Semitism sentiments increased, resulting in discrimination against Jews in
employment, access to residential and resort areas, and in tightened quotas on Jewish enrollment and
teaching positions in colleges and universities. Between 1921 and 1924, immigration legislation was
enacted and it was interpreted by Jews as being Anti–Semitic in intent. This was because it severely
limited immigration quotas of Eastern European nations with large Jewish populations. In his book
"The Ethnic Myth," author Stephen Steinberg describes how many ethnic groups faced prejudice,
oppression and discrimination. At the same time, however, these ethnic groups never lost faith in the
dream that compelled them to immigrate to the United

The Effect of Politics and Race on Identity of Puerto Ricans
The Effect of Politics and Race on Identity of Puerto Ricans
As is present in many articles we read about Spanish rule and American rule, there were always
references to race, and the mix of races that the Puerto Ricans are, and how that has affected their
identity. Kristen Moran hypothesized as to what was the origin of Spaniard's need to assert their
clean lineage: "The attitude of the Spaniards concerning pure lineage, which can be traced back to
the Muslim occupation of Spain, further complicated race interaction in Puerto Rico." The Ferré
novel begins with Buenaventura's arrival to Puerto Rico from Spain, who is a member of a
bourgeoisie family. Immediately there are references to the importance of a "clean lineage" and
books which ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
262). Furthermore, in 1998 the future is still undecided and on December 13, 1998, this Sunday,
there is going to be a plebiscite to see what the inhabitants of the island of Puerto Rico wish as their
political status. To view more on this plebiscite, there is a site of the Puerto Rican Herald that
discusses Sunday. The last sentence of Fernandez's book poignantly states the large contradiction I
have been thinking since we first studied the American invasion of Puerto Rico: "The United States
of America, the oldest representative democracy on earth, owns Puerto Rico, the oldest colony on
earth."(Fernandez, p. 26)
González says that you can not discuss Puerto Rican identity without including elements of class
and race. They are fundamental construction elements. In Morris' book, she documents a
commonwealth party interviewee giving own view toward Puerto Rican racial heritage:
"Puerto Rico...is a people with a history, with its own idiosyncrasy....I don't think we are a random
assortment of people that are cohabiting on the one hundred by thirty–five miles which is the size of
our island. I think we're more than that. I think we're a nation that has a history that was established
from the time before colonization. First there were natives on our island who were the aborigines,
the Taíno Indians. Then came the era of Spanish colonization. Then comes the importation of slaves,
which brings the African element also. That is, we are a national

The Reasons Behind Puerto Rican Migration to America Essay
The Reasons Behind Puerto Rican Migration to America
As a Puerto Rican who was born and raised in Hartford, I did not think much about how or why my
parents are here in the United States. It was after reading the articles in Hist 247 Reader: Latinos in
the USA that I began to question the reasons and conditions of my grandparent's migration. Many
think that Puerto Ricans began to migrate to the United States after 1898 when the United States
took over Puerto Rico but Puerto Ricans have been migrating to the US since 1840's. The Puerto
Rican migration is best described in two different experiences. The first experience from later 19th
Century to early 20th Century is the migration due to the economic and social situations in Puerto
Rico ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Instead, the United States possessed that power and transformed their island into a metropolitan
economy. Workers were subjected to the changing demands of US capital expansion, and their
migratory movements were shaped accordingly. The United States used Puerto Rico as a medium
through which they could gain power and accumulate more monetary resources. And undoubtedly,
Puerto Ricans signified nothing more to them than a reserved workforce". In the article "Imperialism
and Agrarian Capitalism 1898–1930" the author writes, "Between 1898–1940 the growth,
employment , and patterns of movement of the Puerto Rican population were conditioned by the
establishment and decline of the capitalist plantation system on the Island. The degree of relative
overpopulation varied in the major branches of production– cane cultivation, sugar manufacture,
tobacco and needlework and this engendered both the movement within the colony and the
emigration out" (104). As overpopulation became a big issue so did unemployment. Migration
occurred because many Puerto Ricans thought that by leaving Puerto Rico they would find a better
life through contract working or through Operation Bootstrap.
Bernardo Vega is a great example of a tabaquero who left Puerto Rico in 1916 in search for better
opportunities in the United States. When arriving to the United States all he faced was
discrimination, prejudices, unfairness, and disappointment. Throughout the novel

Puerto Rican Culture
The term Hispanic refers to people who are capable of speaking and comprehending the Spanish
language, and whose ancestry identifies with the Hispanic culture. The three main Hispanic groups
in the United States are Cubans, Mexicans, and Puerto Ricans. Puerto Ricans are people who
identify themselves as Hispanics of Puerto Rican origin, meaning they were either born in Puerto
Rico, or have family ancestry that traces back to Puerto Rico. According to Lopez & Patten (2015),
in 2013, Puerto Ricans were the second–largest Hispanic origin population living in the United
States, accounting for 9.5%. This population continues to grow. In fact, between 1980 and 2013, the
Puerto Rican population in the United States had increased by 56% (Lopez & Patten, 2015). Puerto
Rican culture is unique, and quite complex. To gain knowledge and a better understanding of the
Puerto Rican culture, I attended the Puerto Rican Festival held in Milwaukee, and conducted an
interview with Melinda Nieves, a Puerto Rican woman living in Appleton. Through these
experiences, I found that Puerto Rican culture is centered around language, family, and religion, as
well as music and delicious food.
Language in the Puerto Rican Culture One of the first things I noticed while attending the Puerto
Rican Festival was the language differences (2017). Most people spoke Spanish, and Spanish
seemed to be their preferred language over English. At the festival, it was difficult to communicate.
People carried

Cross Cultural Project : Puerto Rican
Tania Darosa Professor Livingstone Introduction to Cross–Cultural Project 9–30–15 Puerto Rican is
the populations and residents of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a multi–ethnic state where home is
different ethnic to people and nationwide backgrounds, but the result of some Puerto Ricans does
not luxury their population as an ethnicity, but as a nationality with numerous civilizations and
nationwide backgrounds including the Puerto Rican people. Puerto Rican is and notwithstanding its
multi–ethnic structure of the culture apprehended in a joined by the greatest Puerto Ricans was
signified to as conventional Puerto Rican culture. A Western culture is the large consequential from
the civilizations of Western European immigrants from the beginning of the early Spanish
immigrants as along with other Europeans received afterward such as the Corsicans Irish, Germans
and French, lengthways with a heavy–duty West African culture which has been powerful.
According to a (Rivera, M (n.d.). People. Retrieved September 27, 2015) "Puerto Ricans are known
for their warm hospitality, often considered very friendly and expressive to strangers. Greetings are
often cordial and genuine. When people are first introduced, a handshake is usual, however, close
friends and family members always greet you hello or goodbye with a kiss on the cheek or a
combination hug and kiss. This happens between female friends and between men and women, but
not between male friends. Puerto Ricans are best known by

Puerto Rican Political Parties
As a child growing up in Puerto Rico I attended many political campaigns with my father. He was
the true meaning of the word fanatic when it came to politics and he had been a politician at an
earlier time in his life also. He believed with every fiber in his body that Puerto Rico should become
the fifty–first state of the United States. My father passed away not seen his dream come true.
In Puerto Rico, political parties are associated to the three status choices. There is the New
Progressive Party that supports statehood, also the Popular Democratic Party for the commonwealth
status and the Puerto Rican Independence Party that prefers as it's name state, independence. These
three ideals have painted the landscape of the island's political history with the pro–statehood and
pro–commonwealth parties with the vast majority of followers. For over 100 years, these two main
choices have divided the island's people and both parties believe that ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
They point out the fact that many Puerto Ricans have served and continue to serve in the Armed
Forces without the same rights as a citizen from the mainland. Furthermore, statehood provides the
idea of representation in congress, which means having a counting vote on issues that would affect
the island's citizens (Pedro Pierluisi February 2014).
However, financially there would be a substantial difference with these programs, according to the
U.S. Government Accountability Office Medicare spending will increase from a current $4.5 billion
to an average of $4.5 to $6 billion. Medicaid will go from $685 million to $1.1 to $2.1 billion. Snap
spending is $ 1.9 billion and range will be $1.7 to $2.6 billion. The reason for the low amount
according to the GAO is due to some participants been eligible for other types of programs not
currently

Puerto Rican Music and Its Significance Essay
Puerto Rican Music and Its Significance
Although the policies of Americanization and degradation of Puerto Rican culture heritage improved
by the United States in Puerto Rico during the early decades of the twentieth century, the utmost
concern for the United States was the strategic location of the island for political and economic
advantages, not of the people who inhabited it. Puerto Rico, though a poor colony, was a rich
cultural spot in an area of dynamic cultural influence of the Caribbean. One aspect of the Puerto
Rican culture that was greatly influenced by its location in the Caribbean and by its repossession by
the United States is music. Music permeated the daily life of Puerto Ricans (Waxer, Oct. 29). Music
was the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Thus the bomba became known as "talking drums" (Glasser, 1995).
The plena, another typical form of Puerto Rican music, was considered the singing newspaper. It
was developed at the turn of the century by a lower class mulato population (made up of Puerto
Rican freed slaves and migrants from the English Antilles) on the coast. Themes for the music came
from the idiosyncrasies and normalcies of daily life, and was incorporated through a narrative verse
taken from the Spanish music culture through "call and response". Call and response, another
African influence, is a component of traditional African musical expression in which a phrase is
sung (chanted by part of a group of people and that phrase is responded to by a refrain by the other
part of the group. Call and response is a component of the bomba, the plena, and the danza and still
exists today as an important ingredient of Puerto Rican music. It facilitates dialogue, and encourages
a sense of community by enabling more people to join in, which then closes the gaps between
classes and races (Waxer, Oct. 29).
The third traditional form of Puerto Rican music is the danza. This genre, developed by mulato
artisans in late nineteenth century, reflected the race, class, and nationality issues which were
present at that time. As the plena and the bomba had African roots, the danza had roots in English,
French, and

The Death Of Puerto Rican Immigrants
In 2009 after the retirement David Souter from the Supreme Court president Obama appointed Sonia
Sotomayor as the replacement judge. "The judge is the daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants...She is
a first Generation Americans." According to multiple multiple American news outlets such as CNN,
Fox News, Msnbc, etc. To these news outlets this was the info that was groundbreaking the daughter
of immigrants was both groundbreaking to the media as well as inspiring. The true definition of
what the American dream stands for.The media thought the info was important enough that they
covered this story on the "top of the newshour", and relayed this information to people of the the US
as a matter of fact. Yet this claim was false and the truth being that her parents aren 't immigrants
didn't it wasn't before 1917. Yes it is true that Judge Montemayor is born of people who came from
Puerto Rico but according to US law established 1917 called Jones–Shafroth Act people born in
Puerto Rico are US citizen as well as a person from any other state. So this doesn 't make her parents
immigrants as multiple news outlets say. So all her parent's did was move they didn't imigrate to a
new country they like a lot of Americans moved to a different place. Through this spread of false
information the pride of puerto ricans were angered.An example of this angerement came from my
father the person who is hardly takes offense anything. Was infuriated by the 60 Minutes news
report that he made me watch

1.
Puerto Ricans have long suffered racial stereotypes similar to those targeting Mexican Americans
and African Americans. They often were referred to by the derogatory term "spic" and also have
been viewed as a criminal a lot. For example, stereotypes of Puerto Ricans as criminals influence
police actions in numerous Puerto Rican communities, which are often more closely patrolled than
poor or affluent white areas.
2.
Numerous Puerto Rican, Dominican, Salvadorans and other Latino residents have reported illegal
searches, harassment by building inspectors, and their homes are inspected for housing–code
violations far more frequently than those of whites. They also report racial profiling and police
harassment. Many local whites seem ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
They have adapted selectively and have developed a strong enclave economy. They have a large
pool of resources with the growth of major connection to the outside. The Cuban Americans
economic and political institutions are being dominated by Anglo.
7.
The relationship of systemic racism to the unemployment, underemployment, and poverty facing
Puerto Ricans is viewed as institutionalized discrimination. Some of the cases of institutionalized
discrimination towards the Puerto Ricans can be clearly seen when they have been defined by color
and also a bias towards their languages. Thus restricting them from applying in many jobs making a
big scale of differences between the high unemployment rate and also Puerto Ricans in the low–
level employment.
8.
To ensure a community's survival, it's very much dependent on the employment of the community.
In one part of Brooklyn, New York, a number of unemployed Puerto Ricans were living in the
extreme desperation state. However, they are living next to the employed blue collar workers who
have provided them the necessities of community's social institutions. As long as it does not become
overbearing in the economic reality, the community would still be able to accept the

Puerto Rico, a name synonymous with finding it's identity. Has had its woes in that search of
identity. After suffering the colonialism of Spain, Puerto Rico was then won by the US in the
Spanish American war. Puerto Ricans, deep–rooted in culture and tradition start the journey of
searching for better. In the 1950s, after being a territory of the US for 51 years. We see huge
emigration from Puerto Rico to the US. The Puerto Rican government played a crucial role in the
Puerto Rican migration after world war II. The emigration numbers sky rocket in the 1950s and
there is a reason it did. In this paper, I'll prove that Puerto Ricans migrated to the US in search of a
better life because of the post war economic conditions, population increase,

Im Proud To Be Puerto Rican Essay
Are you Puerto Rican or American? Hesitantly, I don't know what to say when people ask me this
question because I feel that I have to choose between the two ethnicities. Since I was born in the
U.S., I am considered American. But, if I say I am American, I am asked about my origins. Thus,
controversy evolves around inhabitants of Puerto Rico because they are considered Americans since
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States.
My skin is white, my eyes are brown, and my hair is dark brown. I am confused with Europeans,
such as Italians, Portuguese, or Spanish. As early as the sixth grade, I experienced prejudice
indirectly. I grew up in a predominately white neighborhood where I consistently heard racist
thoughts about Latinos. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
While they talked about Latinos, I kept quiet; I didn't want them to think of me negatively. This
experience lasted throughout the school year. When I returned to school after the summer break, half
of my classmates were Latinos.
The Latinos in my class differed in the way that they were proud to say they were Puerto Rican,
Mexican, and Dominican. Thus, I pursued a relationship with these classmates and I began to feel
differently about Latinos. I realized that I was taking part in the prejudice thoughts my previous
classmates had toward Latinos by concealing my identity. I also recognized that Latinos were
struggling to pursue a better life and that we are looked down upon. As a result of discrimination, it
is difficult for us to accomplish our goals in life. Presently, every opportunity I get, I talk about my
culture. I discuss the hardships Latinos face and I describe my experience growing up Puerto Rican.
Although I am Puerto Rican, I don't know as much about my culture as I should. Reading Harvest of
Empire: A History of Latinos in America by Juan Gonzalez has brought new insights to my
knowledge of Puerto Ricans and Latinos in general. Gonzalez focuses on language and writes that
speaking Spanish is treated as a handicap instead of as an asset.
Gonzalez gives us a brief history of Puerto Rico. He writes about the changes of the official
language, which was English in the past and has changed to Spanish.

Puerto Rican Studies: The Key To Success
Puerto Ricans, through history, have had to be strong, persevering and hard workers in order to
move on and keep going. They have had to educate, innovate and develop methods to survive the
various crises of our country. The latest generations have grown up thinking that studies are the key
to success and I am the daughter of one of these. My parents have given their maximum to raise me
as a curious, educated, independent woman with strong values . In addition, they have striven to
develop my skills, to make me discover what I really like and teach me to fight for my dreams. In
my path in life, I have tried, learned and discovered great things, to become the person I am today. I
want to give my maximum; I desire to offer my gifts, abilities,

The Culture And Culture Of Puerto Rican Culture
Puerto Rican culture is very unique and diverse and is mainly influenced by its past. It is a melting
pot of Taino Indian, Spanish, African, and American cultures, which is what makes Puerto Rico
unique. Puerto Rican music, clothing, food, traditions, holidays, languages, and religions are all
influenced from the diversity of the population. The official languages are Spanish and English
because of the long period of time when Spain ruled and then later, when it became U.S. territory.
The majority of the population of Puerto Rico is also Roman Catholic or Protestant again, because it
was ruled by the Spanish Crown for over an extended period of time. Puerto Rican food has many
different ingredients derived from the different ethnic groups. They use many fresh ingredients for
bold flavors, but their food generally isn't spicy compared to other cultures. Puerto Ricans typically
eat a light breakfast, but their lunch and dinner is heavy. For them, dinner is the most important meal
of the day. Puerto Ricans typically drink coffee and eat mallorca which is a type of sweet bread.
They normally start off dinner with an appetizer like soup or stew first. Some of the main Puerto
Rican dishes include: carne frita con cebolla which is, fried beefsteak with onions, roast leg of pork,
ham, lamb, or any roasted meats cooked in Creole style with blends of herbs and spices. Puerto
Ricans also love chicken and many of their popular dishes include chicken like, arroz con pollo,
chicken and

Migration Problems for Puerto Ricans
Puerto Rico is a Spanish speaking region made up of one big island and a few smaller islands in the
Caribbean Sea. It belongs to the U.S as an "unincorporated" territory. It was a place where the
country's constitution does not apply by default. Puerto Ricans are considered Americans. If you are
automatically born in Puerto Rico, you are automatically a U.S citizen. They use U.S passports to
travel internationally. Some people are inclined to view the Puerto Rican experience as a historical
repetition of earlier migrations to the United States. However, the migration experience of Puerto
Ricans to the United States is more complex, as well as one of a kind. Similarities do exist between
the migration of Puerto Ricans and that of other groups, however, no other ethnic group has shared
the tribulations of the Puerto Rican population. Their experience is different from that of anyone
else.
When Puerto Ricans migrated to the United States they did it in two major waves. The first wave of
emigration occurred in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The second wave
occurred from the 1940s to the present. The workings of Bernando Vega and Jose Cruz deal with the
different generations of Puerto Ricans that these two waves brought to the United States. While
Vega discusses the early emigration of Puerto Ricans to New York City, Cruz discusses the later
emigration of Puerto Ricans to Connecticut. Each author describes a different Puerto Rican
experience in the

Puerto Rican And The American Education System
To Puerto Rican students aged 6 to 18 in 1898 until 1915, an average school day was quite different
from what you might expect. When the United States gained control of the island in 1898, they
intended to colonize and integrate them into American society. One of their methods was to
implement the American educational system, therefore teaching the younger generation English
instead of Spanish, and teaching them American values. I'm sure that those who were taught during
that era remember the green and yellow, or navy blue, uniforms, the average one to two mile walk to
school, as well as the teachers in starched, white blouses trying to get everyone organized in a
language no one truly knew.1 "Pleese form a lain."
After clumsily memorizing the lines to a few songs on the first day, they'd end up singing words in
this foreign language at the beginning of each school day for the rest of their compulsory education,
pledging allegiance to "la pecosa", the flag of a country thousands of miles away, a country they
most likely never set foot on. After the Pledge of Allegiance, they'd sing the following ditty:
Puerto Rico is a beautiful island
It belongs to the United States
Our children speak English and Spanish
And salute our flag every day.2
Imagine how different your school life would have been if every high school class was suddenly
was taught in a foreign language. This was the sudden, shocking reality that many young Puerto
Rican children and teenagers faced after the United

Essay about Puerto Rican Migration to Nyc
Christine Costanzo Puerto Rican Migration to New York City
The story of the Puerto Rican people is unique in the history of U.S. immigration, just as Puerto
Rico occupies a distinctive–and sometimes confusing–position in the nation's civic fabric. Puerto
Rico has been a possession of the U.S. for more than a century, but it has never been a state. Its
people have been U.S. citizens since 1917, but they have no vote in Congress. As citizens, the
people of Puerto Rico can move throughout the 50 states just as any other Americans can–legally,
this is considered internal migration, not immigration. However, in moving to the mainland, Puerto
Ricans leave a homeland with its own distinct identity and culture, and the transition can ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
factory owners and employment agencies had begun recruiting heavily on the island. In addition, the
postwar years saw the return home of thousands of Puerto Rican war veterans, whose service in the
U.S. military had shown them the world. But perhaps the most significant cause was the sudden
availability of affordable air travel. After centuries of immigration by boat, the Puerto Rican
migration became the first great airborne migration in U.S. history. The first great generation of
Puerto Rican migrants established communities in cities throughout the country, including Chicago,
Philadelphia, and Newark, as well as in mid–Atlantic farm villages and the mill towns of New
England. However, since the 1930s, the capital of Puerto Rican culture in the mainland U.S. has
been New York City. Despite its great distance from the Caribbean, New York had long been the
landing point of seagoing Puerto Ricans, and the airborne newcomers followed suit. The new
migrants settled in great numbers in Northeast Manhattan, in a neighborhood that soon became
known as Spanish Harlem. Although many had been farm workers in Puerto Rico, they know found
themselves working in a wide variety of jobs, staffing the hospitals, the hotels, the garment factories,
and the police departments of their new hometown, and they soon became a significant force in the
city's political and cultural life. The migration to the 50 states slowed

Puerto Rican Cultural Characteristics
The Puerto Rican culture is a but complex. The broad range of visual manifestation sand interactions
with the environments make it a place different from the rest of the world. there are several unique
characteristics that distinguish the culture from any other. There's a sense of uniqueness to its
people. A mix of Tainos, Africans and Spanish heritage. The official languages are both Spanish and
English, but Spanish is most certainly the dominant one. To the people there, language is more than
just words. There's a lot they can say with simply the position of the body, the overemphasized
gestures of hands, and the look on a face. The Puerto Rican culture is a but complex. The broad
range of visual manifestation sand interactions with the

Puerto Rican Experience in Hartford Essay
Puerto Rican Experience in Hartford
Hartford is the home to the highest percentage (27%) of Puerto Ricans in the country (Cruz, 5).
Nonetheless, Puerto Ricans still face myriad challenges with respect to the integration and
acceptance of their culture in Hartford. Although the PR community is only two generations old,
Puerto Ricans have managed to both organize and mobilize in this relatively short time (Cruz, 2).
Puerto Ricans have focused closely on their ethnic identity because they viewed their incorporation
into the political sphere occurring only by means of asserting their difference (Cruz, 10). They have
made their mark on politics in Hartford through demographic growth, development of leadership in
the community, and their ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
I relate each component with a historical event in Puerto Rican politics and also consider how
through this historic mobilization Puerto Ricans have gained entitlement to more power, equality,
representation, consciousness from other ethnic groups, and to some degree, social change. I focus
on the Puerto Ricans' migration to Connecticut, their development of ethnic awareness and power
awareness, their realization of common interests, their competing ethnic projects, and the brokered
representation they have endured as detailed in Jose Cruz's book, Identity and Power: Puerto Rican
Politics and the Challenge of Ethnicity. Finally, I examine an important point that Cruz only touched
upon briefly, which is the idea of cultural citizenship in the Puerto Rican community. This added
point helps us to fully understand the role identity politics played in Puerto Ricans' lives.
Puerto Ricans first entered the realm of identity politics with their migration to Hartford, beginning
in the 1950s. Their motivation was primarily economic; that is, Hartford had an abundance of job
opportunities in restaurants, stores, factories, and farms in comparison to New York City and Puerto
Rico (Cruz, 37). Puerto Ricans were now working and living alongside many other citizens of
different ethnicities and were treated much like other

Puerto Rican Day Parade
Waking up to the sound of Spanish music blasting through the streets, and the smell of Spanish food
all over the air, and going to the window and seeing hundreds of Puerto Ricans celebrate in the
streets, covering themselves with the flags. This is a description of New York during the second
week of June. A few blocks from grand concourse, a lot of my high school friends were Puerto
Ricans, they invited me and took me as one of their own, that lead me to sharing some of their
customs which are very like the ones from my county, The Dominican Republic. Based on my
knowledge I decided to talk about this cultural event that Puerto Ricans celebrate every year
specially because most of us celebrate with them. The Puerto Rican Day Parade is one of the biggest
cultural celebrations. As you read, I would give further details on its traditions and why this parade
is so important to Puerto Ricans. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
On Sunday April 13, 1958, the first Puerto Rican Parade took place in Manhattan, New York. Even
today, I think is amazing how a lot of Puerto Ricans were celebrating their culture. Mike Mcintire
from New York Times states, that the Puerto Ricans Parade carries a message in the mayoral race
and that the parade was also incorporated with other states besides New York, which started
happening in 1995. This made the parade grow even more within the people of Puerto Rico that are
here in the United States. In addition, Puerto Ricans consider this day a very blessed day. This
Puerto Rican Parade takes place in the second Sunday of June and starts at 11:00 a.m., people walk
along 5th avenue from 44th street to 79th street in New York

The History of Puerto Ricans' Migration to the United States
The History of Puerto Ricans' Migration to the United States
Immigration to the United States has been occurring for centuries now. For years people from all
different parts of the globe have dreamed of living in the United States, which is known to many
foreigners as the land of opportunity. There are so many ethnic groups that exist in the United States
that it has become known as the melting pot of the world. The Puerto Rican's migration to the
United States was not an easy process. The Puerto Ricans faced discrimination in many walks of life
in the USA. They were taken advantage of because they were naive and vulnerable to this new life.
Eventually, in the twentieth century, the Puerto Ricans realized that they could stand ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
The Puerto Ricans were viewed as dirty and the Japanese were preferred over them. Therefore they
were forced to work for extremely low wages. In the article "Policies of Exploitation and Racism:
Puerto Ricans in Hawaii" it reads of disturbing examples of the unfair treatment they received there.
The Puerto Ricans were thought of as dirty and lost jobs to the Japanese that immigrated there
because there were considered better workers and cleaner.
During the time period of 1898 to 1917 the Puerto Ricans that were living in the United States were
considered to be citizens of nowhere. In 1901 there was a Supreme Court decision that stated Puerto
Ricans: "belongs to, but is not part of America". The Americans felt as though they could just claim
this land to be their own but not claim full responsibility for it. Puerto Rico at the time was inhabited
by only about one million people. By the year 1917 Congress passed an act that made
Puerto Ricans "citizens". Even though this act stated that Puerto Ricans were "citizens" of the US
the Puerto Ricans still did not have a place that they could truly call home from a legal standpoint.
But because this law was made it formed a relationship between the mainland and the island, which
led to the industrialization of Puerto Rico and eventually the mass migration to the States.
Bernardo Vega was born in Puerto Rico and was a tabaquero there. He was an intelligent

The Role of Music During and After Puerto Rican Migration...
The Role of Music During and After Puerto Rican Migration to the United States
For Puerto Ricans, music served infinite purposes. It allowed for the formation and reformation of
cultural views and opinions, through the lyrics in the songs. These views were constantly changing,
which in turn fed into the ever evolving identity of the Puerto Rican people. As a vehicle of
expression it stimulated thought and provided a method of communication for the community. In
The Puerto Rican community of New York City the increasing popularity of music indicated a desire
for Puerto Rican based and oriented entertainment but more importantly for national unity. For the
musicians themselves music served as an outlet for creativity ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
"Puerto Rican society was not devoid of color consciousness or prejudice, but racial categories were
different that in the United States" (53). Once on the mainland the musicians encountered an entirely
different system for the categorization of people. A more simplistic system that relied on the hue of
the skin as opposed to "facial features, hair texture, ...wealth or occupation"(53). Namely those who
had white skin were placed into one category and those that did not into another. The racist
tendencies of the Americans led to the negation of all that was black by the Puerto Rican
community. "Puerto Ricans were much more prone to settle in pockets with their lighter
compatriotas than to except external definitions of themselves and move into the black American
sections of Harlem"(73). The focus on race does not imply that money did not play an important role
in American society either, however, it did not play a major role in the book.
Glasser employs racially descriptive terms, throughout the book, that are confusing and
unintelligible. These terms are found frequently, although they are not previously explained. Often
the term itself describes two different groups. One such term is "white" which at one point means
North American and yet on other occasions it means a Light–skinned Puerto Rican. Within the span
of two pages Glasser speaks of "latin 'relief' bands" that " were made up of whites only" (76). The
clear implication here is that the Latin

History And Struggles Of Puerto Rican People
I will bring awareness to the history and struggles of the Puerto Rican people. I will relate the
struggles of not being recognized in society, being discriminated against, and not being able to vote
unless living in the states despite the fact we are born United States citizens. These conditions are
identical to what Zinn states happened to slaves in his book, "A People History of the United
States." (Chapter 6) I will also speak on the advancements Puerto Ricans have made today as
compared to 40 years ago, and how it has influenced me today as a Puerto Rican women. Puerto
Rico is a small island in the Caribbean. It was first settled around 1000 A.D. by the Taino Indians
and called Borinquen. In 1493, Christopher Columbus claimed it for Spain but it wasn't until the
arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon in 1508 that Spain began to colonize and rule over the land and its
native people. The Taino Indians believed the Spanish colonizers had divine powers and to test their
theory they captured a Spaniard and drowned him. It is said that they watched him for several days
until they were sure he was dead. When they learned that the Spanish were mortal, they revolted
against them but with no success. As punishment, Ponce De Leon ordered 6,000 shot; survivors fled
the mountains or left the island. After being settled by Spain and being enslaved, the native
population was nearly wiped out by disease and war. The Spanish then began brining African slaves
to the island to replace the Indian

Political and Migration Issues Affecting Puerto Ricans in...
Political and Migration Issues Affecting Puerto Ricans in the United States
Puerto Ricans have a very distinct and complicated history. Their history is unlike any other
immigrants who migrated at the United States at any time. Their island became a focus of the United
States in 1898, when they won the island as booty in the Spanish–American war. Puerto Ricans
residing in the United States have always had the dilemma of having to straddle both the American
and Puerto Rican cultures and Spanish and English languages. In my opinion, Puerto Ricans have
never had it easy living in the United States. So when I ask my grandparents, and other older
generation Puerto Ricans why they decided to migrate from what I thought was "paradise" to ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Their willpower shattered and, embittered by circumstances, they easily fell into crime... And from
the moment on the words 'Puerto Rican' were associated in all the major papers with some kind of
crime"(Vega 136).
The migration of Puerto Ricans into the United States began in the late 1840's,and occurred in three
major waves, the second occurring around 1910–1940, and the third and largest occurred during and
after the Vietnam War in and around the 1960's. Each group containing a new generation of Puerto
Ricans, and each laying a foundation for the next generation of Puerto Ricans immigrating into the
United States. Each wave of immigrants felt that they were going to live a better life in America, and
they ended up in the major cities, which were highly concentrate with a large number of Puerto
Ricans and other Hispanics. The "industrial capitals," such as New York City, Hartford, and
Chicago, and places where they were able to find jobs in factories were other prevalent places. The
later immigrants pursuing employment as agricultural workers, in places such as tobacco fields.
With the migration of more and more Puerto Ricans, small communities which began to be heavily
populated by Puerto Ricans grew larger and larger, and there was a need for politics, and strong
Puerto Rican politicians to represent the people of the community.

The Story Of The Puerto Rican People Is Quite Unique In
The story of the Puerto Rican people is quite unique in the history of U.S. immigration, just as
Puerto Rico dwell a distinctive and sometimes confusing position in the nation's civic fabric. Puerto
Rico has been ownership of the U.S. for more than a century, however it has never been a state.
Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917, but even with that they still have no vote in
Congress. Being citizens of the U.S. they can move throughout the fifty states without any problems
just as any other American can do legally. This however, is considered inside migration, not
immigration.
Though, moving to the mainland, Puerto Ricans leave a homeland with its own distinct identity,
culture, and the transition can involve many of the same ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Having thought of all the offers that were thrown on the table to them as they made their way into
the United States of America, like being told that if Puerto Rican men joined the army they would
have better possibilities in having a more prosperous life on the mainland. Even though the U.S.
tried to promote Puerto Rico as a glamorous tourist destination, in the early 20th century the island
of Puerto Rico suffered a severe economic depression. Because of this depression, poverty was
widespread, and few of the island's residents could afford the long boat journey to the mainland,
therefore because of the continuing depression in Puerto Rico made many Puerto Ricans eager for a
fresh start, and this then led to the fast recruiting of U.S. factory owners and employment agencies
on the island. In addition, the postwar years saw the return home of thousands of Puerto Rican war
veterans, whose service in the U.S. military had shown them the world. But perhaps the most
significant cause was the sudden availability of affordable air travel. After centuries of immigration
by boat, the Puerto Rican migration became the first great airborne migration in U.S. history.
Topic: Puerto Rican Population Declines on the island
Migrating onto the mainland, the first generation of Puerto Rican migrants established communities
in cities throughout the country, including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Newark, as well as mid–
Atlantic farm villages and the mill

Puerto Rican Migration : Puerto Ricans Essay
America has been home to many people that aren 't native to the origins of the land. Many of those
people are of descendents either of African, French, Dutch, or the Caribbeans. These are the people
that are credited with migrating from their native homeland to the foreign land of America. Not
many people care to realize that Puerto Ricans are apart of that group. This is because Puerto Ricans
don't need visas to enter the country. The truth of the matter is though Puerto Ricans don't need visas
to get here, many still left their native land for the states so that they can have a better life. America
has a history of making Puerto Rico reliant on them because we 're a colony (commonwealth).
Puerto Ricans voyaged to America for a number of reasons, them being the same as every other
group that migrated here :– Poverty, Jobs. Puerto Rico became apart of America's history when they
decided to overrun the island during the Spanish–Cuban–American War in the year 1898. The U.S
then decided not to leave the island alone claiming that it's not apart of the U.S but not left to it's
own devices either. This then lead to congress granting Puerto Rican citizenship in 1917, but no
constitutional rights. This was convenient because the island's working class was suffering through
high instances of impoverishment and lack of jobs.
According to, "Puerto Rico, Migration 1868 to Present" in the years amidst 1945 and 1964 a mass
amount

Puerto Rican American Culture Research Paper

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Puerto Rican American Culture Research Paper