Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool
Photo by crashxtreme
Santa Isabel, P.R.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
NY1: The Bronx: "Hispanics Dominate The Bronx, But New Immigrants Continue To Move In"
Click on "NY1: The Bronx" (above) and read story.
Click on "NY1: The Bronx" (above) and read story.
KEEPING SOCIAL SECURITY SOLVENT MUST BE NATION'S PRIORITY, NEW NCLR REPORT CONCLUDES
Expanding Coverage to Domestics and Other Itinerant Workers also Essential
Washington, DC - The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., released a report today urging Congress and the Bush Administration to strengthen the solvency and reach of the Social Security program for Latinos and consider options - such as add-on private retirement accounts, automatic 401(k)s, and making the saver's tax credit permanent and refundable - to further boost retirement security for this growing population. The Social Security Program and Reform: A Latino Perspective presents a comprehensive analysis of the Social Security program as it relates to Latino workers, taxpayers, and retirees.
"Maintaining solvency of the system is especially important for the Hispanic community," stated Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO. "Without Social Security, the poverty rate of eligible elderly Hispanics would more than triple, from 16% to 55%. Without the Social Security contributions made by Latino workers - which, according to a Census Bureau estimate, is $50 billion - the safety net we created to alleviate poverty would not be strong enough to support beneficiaries."
"As workers and as beneficiaries, Latinos have a profound stake in the debate over Social Security. It is critical to ensure that it is the social insurance program it was intended to be," continued Janet Murguia. "We need to make sure that all workers who pay into the system receive decent benefits when they retire. We must ensure that the Social Security program is fiscally sound so that young people today have guaranteed benefits years from now. And, we should do more, outside of Social Security, to encourage individual savings for retirement security for Latinos and all Americans."
NCLR's analysis found that the vast majority of Hispanic workers in the U.S. - 19.4 million Latinos - pay into the Social Security system. When compared with White and Black peers in many categories, Latinos are the least likely to receive Social Security benefits, for several reasons:
• Latinos who receive benefits tend to have shorter covered-earnings histories, lower average monthly earnings on record, and consequently, lower Social Security benefits than others with similar lifetime earnings.
• Many Hispanics are left out of the system because they work in informal sectors of the labor market or in occupations such as domestics and childcare workers, where Social Security rules may prevent them from earning quarterly credits that help them qualify for retirement benefits.
• Lax enforcement of earnings reporting in certain sectors, particularly for domestics and farm workers, prevents many Hispanic workers who have earned benefits from qualifying for social security.
"It is a must for us that the Social Security program include the hard-working domestics who help raise our children, farmworkers who put the food on our tables, and the health care workers who care for our sick and elderly. Despite paying their fair share into the system, they find themselves left out when it comes to retirement benefits," said Murguia.
NCLR's recommendations in the report include:
• Improving solvency through such measures as lifting the cap on wages subject to Social Security taxation from $90,000, considering expanding the revenue base with a capital gains and an estate tax surcharge, and considering modest changes to the normal retirement age if improvements to the disability insurance program can be instituted;
• Strengthening retirement security by creating add-on private accounts and enhancing savings vehicles such as 401(k) plans and private pensions, rather than carving out private accounts from the Social Security program; and
• Expanding eligibility for Social Security benefits by reducing the earnings threshold required for domestic and other itinerant workers, improving enforcement of earnings reporting, enhancing minimum benefits to levels above the poverty rate, and considering measures that would provide Social Security credit to those who stay home to care for children.
"We believe that everything should be on the table in this debate and we will focus on the substance and merits of all reform proposals," Murguia stated. "For example, our report found that add-on private accounts could help low-income workers build savings and assets over time without incurring the risks associated with a 'carveout' system. At NCLR, we will continue to analyze proposals, participate in the public discussion about Social Security, and educate the Latino community on these vital issues."
For more information or a copy of The Social Security Program and Reform: A Latino Perspective, please visit NCLR's website at www.nclr.org or call Luisa Grille-Chope at (202) 785-1670.
###
source: NCLR release
Expanding Coverage to Domestics and Other Itinerant Workers also Essential
Washington, DC - The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., released a report today urging Congress and the Bush Administration to strengthen the solvency and reach of the Social Security program for Latinos and consider options - such as add-on private retirement accounts, automatic 401(k)s, and making the saver's tax credit permanent and refundable - to further boost retirement security for this growing population. The Social Security Program and Reform: A Latino Perspective presents a comprehensive analysis of the Social Security program as it relates to Latino workers, taxpayers, and retirees.
"Maintaining solvency of the system is especially important for the Hispanic community," stated Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO. "Without Social Security, the poverty rate of eligible elderly Hispanics would more than triple, from 16% to 55%. Without the Social Security contributions made by Latino workers - which, according to a Census Bureau estimate, is $50 billion - the safety net we created to alleviate poverty would not be strong enough to support beneficiaries."
"As workers and as beneficiaries, Latinos have a profound stake in the debate over Social Security. It is critical to ensure that it is the social insurance program it was intended to be," continued Janet Murguia. "We need to make sure that all workers who pay into the system receive decent benefits when they retire. We must ensure that the Social Security program is fiscally sound so that young people today have guaranteed benefits years from now. And, we should do more, outside of Social Security, to encourage individual savings for retirement security for Latinos and all Americans."
NCLR's analysis found that the vast majority of Hispanic workers in the U.S. - 19.4 million Latinos - pay into the Social Security system. When compared with White and Black peers in many categories, Latinos are the least likely to receive Social Security benefits, for several reasons:
• Latinos who receive benefits tend to have shorter covered-earnings histories, lower average monthly earnings on record, and consequently, lower Social Security benefits than others with similar lifetime earnings.
• Many Hispanics are left out of the system because they work in informal sectors of the labor market or in occupations such as domestics and childcare workers, where Social Security rules may prevent them from earning quarterly credits that help them qualify for retirement benefits.
• Lax enforcement of earnings reporting in certain sectors, particularly for domestics and farm workers, prevents many Hispanic workers who have earned benefits from qualifying for social security.
"It is a must for us that the Social Security program include the hard-working domestics who help raise our children, farmworkers who put the food on our tables, and the health care workers who care for our sick and elderly. Despite paying their fair share into the system, they find themselves left out when it comes to retirement benefits," said Murguia.
NCLR's recommendations in the report include:
• Improving solvency through such measures as lifting the cap on wages subject to Social Security taxation from $90,000, considering expanding the revenue base with a capital gains and an estate tax surcharge, and considering modest changes to the normal retirement age if improvements to the disability insurance program can be instituted;
• Strengthening retirement security by creating add-on private accounts and enhancing savings vehicles such as 401(k) plans and private pensions, rather than carving out private accounts from the Social Security program; and
• Expanding eligibility for Social Security benefits by reducing the earnings threshold required for domestic and other itinerant workers, improving enforcement of earnings reporting, enhancing minimum benefits to levels above the poverty rate, and considering measures that would provide Social Security credit to those who stay home to care for children.
"We believe that everything should be on the table in this debate and we will focus on the substance and merits of all reform proposals," Murguia stated. "For example, our report found that add-on private accounts could help low-income workers build savings and assets over time without incurring the risks associated with a 'carveout' system. At NCLR, we will continue to analyze proposals, participate in the public discussion about Social Security, and educate the Latino community on these vital issues."
For more information or a copy of The Social Security Program and Reform: A Latino Perspective, please visit NCLR's website at www.nclr.org or call Luisa Grille-Chope at (202) 785-1670.
###
source: NCLR release
El Farol
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool
Photo by Clarisel
FYI: Visitors have called this their "favorite" photo from my personal photostream at flickr (clarisel's photos).
Photo by Clarisel
FYI: Visitors have called this their "favorite" photo from my personal photostream at flickr (clarisel's photos).
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Some of my favorites
Your favorite photos on Flickr
These are my favorite photos shot by other photobloggers at flickr. Some images are of Puerto Rico. Others are not. For some reason, these images are among my favorites. They touch me in some way. Just click on "Your favorite photos on Flickr" (above) to go see. Enjoy.
Clarisel
These are my favorite photos shot by other photobloggers at flickr. Some images are of Puerto Rico. Others are not. For some reason, these images are among my favorites. They touch me in some way. Just click on "Your favorite photos on Flickr" (above) to go see. Enjoy.
Clarisel
La Perla
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool
Photo by clarisel
This is the photo on flickr that more visitors have viewed from my photostream. It is my most "viewed" photo.
Photo by clarisel
This is the photo on flickr that more visitors have viewed from my photostream. It is my most "viewed" photo.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Scattered violence mars relatively calm Puerto Rican Day Parade: South Florida Sun-SentinelRead the news story and make sure to check out the photo gallery of 21 photos of the parade and the police activity (unfortunately). Go to http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nyc-para0613,0,1861551.story?coll=sfla-newsnation-front
Sunday, June 12, 2005
From the Headlines
NYC Sways to Salsa for Puerto Rican Day - Yahoo! NewsThousands of Puerto Ricans showed up to dance to the tunes of salsa and reggaethon for one of the city's largest cultural parades: The National Puerto Rican Day Parade. For more, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050612/ap_on_re_us/puerto_rican_parade
NYC Sways to Salsa for Puerto Rican Day - Yahoo! NewsThousands of Puerto Ricans showed up to dance to the tunes of salsa and reggaethon for one of the city's largest cultural parades: The National Puerto Rican Day Parade. For more, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050612/ap_on_re_us/puerto_rican_parade
From the Headlines
El Diario/LA PRENSA ��� OnLine��
Editorial: "Celebrating Puerto Rico in New York" -- Today's Puerto Rican Day Parade is a celebration of the traditions of the island and the contributions of boricuas on the mainland.
El Diario/LA PRENSA ��� OnLine��
Editorial: "Celebrating Puerto Rico in New York" -- Today's Puerto Rican Day Parade is a celebration of the traditions of the island and the contributions of boricuas on the mainland.
Playa Sucia
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool
Photo by jps_pr
Cabo Rojo, P.R.
Photo by jps_pr
Cabo Rojo, P.R.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Friday, June 10, 2005
FYI -- Headlines and Briefs
1010 WINS - New York's All News Station : Perth Amboy Allows Puerto Rico Festival
1010 WINS - New York's All News Station : Perth Amboy Allows Puerto Rico Festival
Low-Income Seasonal Workers Arriving in MaineIt is the time of year in Downeast Maine when thousands of seasonal workers begin arriving to rake blueberries, perform landscaping work, clean rooms and wash dishes. They come from all over, including places like Mexico and Central American, Eastern European countries and the Caribbean, to work.
But not all such workers are in Maine legally. While immigration officials are cracking down on illegal immigration, local contractors say they are not trying to harbor illegal workers and are struggling to fill an employment void and how to make sure worker credentials are good. To read more http://www.ellsworthamerican.com/archive/2005/06-09-05/ea_news2_06-09-05.html
But not all such workers are in Maine legally. While immigration officials are cracking down on illegal immigration, local contractors say they are not trying to harbor illegal workers and are struggling to fill an employment void and how to make sure worker credentials are good. To read more http://www.ellsworthamerican.com/archive/2005/06-09-05/ea_news2_06-09-05.html
IMG_1861
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool
Photo by Jaime Olmo
Celebration of dance. How fun!
Photo by Jaime Olmo
Celebration of dance. How fun!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Orchid
Today's featured photo from the PRSun flickr pool
Photo by GinoPR
These beautiful orchids are owned by Edwin Rodriguez, a collector, Gino says.
Photo by GinoPR
These beautiful orchids are owned by Edwin Rodriguez, a collector, Gino says.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
piraguas
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool
Photo by lapamela
Today is a hot day in New York City. A perfect day for a piragua, a snowcone.
Photo by lapamela
Today is a hot day in New York City. A perfect day for a piragua, a snowcone.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Remembering a "Patriotic Son"
Haverstraw -- A float decorated with the image of Manuel Lopez, a U.S. Army corporal who was killed in April in Iraq, led this town's Puerto Rican Day parade Sunday. Lopez, 20, was remembered as an American patriot who also had a lot of pride in his Puerto Rican heritage.
Village Mayor Francis "Bud" Wassmer said the new ballfield, which will be built on Warren Court, will be named in memory of Lopez. To read more, http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050606/NEWS03/506060333/1017
Haverstraw -- A float decorated with the image of Manuel Lopez, a U.S. Army corporal who was killed in April in Iraq, led this town's Puerto Rican Day parade Sunday. Lopez, 20, was remembered as an American patriot who also had a lot of pride in his Puerto Rican heritage.
Village Mayor Francis "Bud" Wassmer said the new ballfield, which will be built on Warren Court, will be named in memory of Lopez. To read more, http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050606/NEWS03/506060333/1017
Pond
Today's featured photo "Pond" by GinoPR
Pond at Botanical Garden, Rio Piedras, P.R.
Wonderful reflection!
Photo part of the Puerto Rico Sun group pool at flickr
Pond at Botanical Garden, Rio Piedras, P.R.
Wonderful reflection!
Photo part of the Puerto Rico Sun group pool at flickr
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Saturday, June 04, 2005
IN MEMORY
Rest in Peace
I am republishing a poem by Fernando A. Zapater, a friend, a poet and a supporter of the Puerto Rico Sun project. Thanks Fernando. RIP
THE ABSCONDED ROSE
By FERNANDO A. ZAPATER
THE ANGELS SENT ME THIS ROSE
BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO PLEASE ME
BUT A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE
WHEN IT HAS NO MEANING
BUT THE ANGELS SENT ME THIS ROSE
SO IT DOES HAVE A MEANING
THERE IS AN ANGEL SOMEWHERE
FLUTTERING HER WINGS LOVINGLY
AS SHE WATCHES OVER ME
I SENSE HER PRESENCE
FLUTTERING HER WINGS LOVINGLY
WATCHING HER ROSE BLOOMING
WHEN THE ROSE PETALS OPENED
I FELT THE BLOWING KISS
HER PERFUME SURROUNDED THE AREA
AND SUNSHINE CAME FORTH BRIGHT
THERE'S A SUDDEN BURST OF LIGHT
MY HEART JUMPED INTO IT
THEN I DISCOVERED MYSELF
IN THE HEART OF THE ROSE ABSCONDED.
c FERNANDO A. ZAPATER
Rest in Peace
I am republishing a poem by Fernando A. Zapater, a friend, a poet and a supporter of the Puerto Rico Sun project. Thanks Fernando. RIP
THE ABSCONDED ROSE
By FERNANDO A. ZAPATER
THE ANGELS SENT ME THIS ROSE
BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO PLEASE ME
BUT A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE
WHEN IT HAS NO MEANING
BUT THE ANGELS SENT ME THIS ROSE
SO IT DOES HAVE A MEANING
THERE IS AN ANGEL SOMEWHERE
FLUTTERING HER WINGS LOVINGLY
AS SHE WATCHES OVER ME
I SENSE HER PRESENCE
FLUTTERING HER WINGS LOVINGLY
WATCHING HER ROSE BLOOMING
WHEN THE ROSE PETALS OPENED
I FELT THE BLOWING KISS
HER PERFUME SURROUNDED THE AREA
AND SUNSHINE CAME FORTH BRIGHT
THERE'S A SUDDEN BURST OF LIGHT
MY HEART JUMPED INTO IT
THEN I DISCOVERED MYSELF
IN THE HEART OF THE ROSE ABSCONDED.
c FERNANDO A. ZAPATER
El último de los Boricuas - Plaza del Mercado, RÃo Piedras, PR
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr group pool
Photo by jenjenjen
jenjenjen wrote: "The small sign says "Que Dios te multiplique todo lo que tú me deseas" -May God multiply for you all that you wish for me."
Photo by jenjenjen
jenjenjen wrote: "The small sign says "Que Dios te multiplique todo lo que tú me deseas" -May God multiply for you all that you wish for me."
Friday, June 03, 2005
A Simple Message: Leave the Flag Alone - New York Times
Respect the Puerto Rican Flag: Leave It Alone
Now that the big Puerto Rican Day Parade is right around the corner, some activists say not to desecrate the flag. Wave Puerto Rican flags! That's it.
The New York Times talks to Jaran Manzanet, a Bronx activist, about keeping the flag free of roosters, congas and Tito Trinidad icons.
Now that the big Puerto Rican Day Parade is right around the corner, some activists say not to desecrate the flag. Wave Puerto Rican flags! That's it.
The New York Times talks to Jaran Manzanet, a Bronx activist, about keeping the flag free of roosters, congas and Tito Trinidad icons.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr group pool
photo by MsAnthea
photo by MsAnthea
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Mi esposa, Obra Maestra de la Creación de Dios.
Today's featured photo by Jps_pr
La foto de hoy por Jps_pr
Jps_pr escribio sobre la foto:
"Mi esposa, Obra Maestra de la Creación de Dios. No existe nada más perfecto ni más hermoso en toda la creación que mi esposa. Nada existe más bello ni más sublime que mi amada esposa..."
Who says men are not romantic?
Jps_pr wrote about his photo: "My wife, a master plan of God's creation. There isn't anything more perfect and beautiful than my wife. There isn't anything more beautiful or sublime than my loving wife..."
Photo is part of the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool.
La foto de hoy por Jps_pr
Jps_pr escribio sobre la foto:
"Mi esposa, Obra Maestra de la Creación de Dios. No existe nada más perfecto ni más hermoso en toda la creación que mi esposa. Nada existe más bello ni más sublime que mi amada esposa..."
Who says men are not romantic?
Jps_pr wrote about his photo: "My wife, a master plan of God's creation. There isn't anything more perfect and beautiful than my wife. There isn't anything more beautiful or sublime than my loving wife..."
Photo is part of the Puerto Rico Sun flickr pool.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Culture and Identity
The Redefining of a National Identity and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
By Manuel Hernandez
A twenty-two year old nephew and a 2004 graduate at the University of Puerto Rico, on a recent visit to the 2004 National Puerto Rican Day Parade to New York City, shared with me some interesting impressions of the Puerto Ricans there and made a few striking remarks about how his perception of a national identity had changed once he left the Parade and reflected on what he had seen and experienced while participating in the largest parade in the United States.
He was dazed at the sight of so many Puerto Rican flags being waved along Fifth Avenue and proudly displayed on tee-shirts, nails, hats, cheeks, heads and in other parts of the human body. In-spite of majoring in Puerto Rican history, it was hard for him to understand how and why Puerto Ricans in New York elected to celebrate and preserve culture without apprehension. He spoke about how excited, proud and happy they seemed after singing the one-hundredth version of "Que Bonita Bandera". I replied by giving Tomas a crash course on New York Puerto Ricans and how I felt the parade reflected a redefinition of a national identity.
Most New York Puerto Rican historians agree that Puerto Ricans have been migrating to New York as early as 1830. But in an interview for Carmen Dolores Hernandez' Puerto Rican Voices in English, a New York poet and historian, Louis Reyes Rivera, stems the migration in the late 1700's:"Puerto Ricans in New York are traceable to the American Revolution and even before, given that Puerto Rico was New England's single largest customer for smuggling Operations which were intended to avoid paying taxes (121)."
Commercial ties and the trading of raw materials paved the way for the early settlers. Towards the latter part of the 19th century, political circumstances proved to be the most important migration factor. Puerto Ricans who were against Spanish rule voluntarily left the Island or were exiled. After the United States obtained official political control of the Island in 1898, more working-class Puerto Ricans came to New York. By World War II, there were close to 150,000 people of Puerto Rican origin in New York.
Your grandparents migrated to New York in the late 1950's. They were part of a massive immigration movement fostered by the new Puerto Rican Commonwealth Government of 1952 and its political and economic links to the United States. "Los viejos" joined thousands of Puerto Ricans in their quest of the American Dream. The new immigrants founded a Puerto Rico of their own called "El Barrio". "The New York Island" stretched across 96th Street North to 127th Street and Fifth Avenue East in Manhattan. During the summers, "El Barrio" came alive with the sounds of "La Isla Del Encanto". Puerto Ricans brought their music, literature, arts, food and traditions to New York. As American citizens, they felt no need to deny their roots and culture. Spanish was kept alive at home. It was an inexpensive ticket back home, and many that came went back to "La Isla" or became extraordinary elements in the revolving door syndrome.
The first Puerto Rican Day Parade took place on Sunday, April 12, 1958 in "El Barrio". The Parade went National in 1995 to extend its borders and outreach. The Parade was established to create a national conscience and to appreciate the Puerto Rican culture and its contributions to the American society. It also stimulates the study, progress and development of the Puerto Rican culture and art. The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is a yearly event with on-going educational, cultural, social and artistic presentations throughout the year. Close to two million people attend the Parade making it the largest outdoor celebration event in the United States.
My nephew had listened for the past twenty-minutes, but he interrupted me and asked "Ok, that sounds interesting Tio but how is the Parade reflective of a Puerto Rican national identity?" I calmed him down and gave him my personal opinion. Puerto Ricans in New York are holding on to their culture.
For us US Ricans, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is more than just a celebration of sorts. It is an expression of national identity. It's standing up for what we believe in. By reaffirming our Puerto Ricanness as a people, we define ourselves as a nation. Remember Tomas; it is only when you leave the Island that you begin to understand that you are a Puerto Rican. The political mayhem on the Island does not allow you to flavor or even sense a national identity. Just the mentioning of the term nation, frightens Island scholars and academics alike. The four-year three-party political enterprise in "La Isla" entertains itself with year long, endless and tireless futile debates on budgets, resolutions and foregone nominations. Flags are only pulled up after Tito Trinidad wins a fight or whenever a major Puerto Rican celebrity reaches a milestone or makes history. The red, blue and green politicians attend the National event in New York to make connections or to have an excuse to take a week off from work. Some Islanders will say that there is no need to honor the Puerto Rican flag, but Americans including the Puerto Ricans born and raised in New York honor the Stars and Stripes in every school, neighborhood and community in the United States.
Puerto Ricans in New York and other cities have a sense of nostalgia because those that left as children take with them the Puerto Rico of their childhood. Those that left as adolescents struggled to adjust to another identity and in the cultural warfare dreamed with the Island every day. The adults that migrated had every day visions with the green plantain fields and blue green beaches and dream of going back and buying a "finquita". They did not have to hide or bury their national identity.
The American way of life celebrates the reaffirmation of national identities precisely because the United States was founded and populated by immigrants. You my dear nephew have had a close encounter of the third kind with your national identity. Thousands of Puerto Ricans will experience the same identity encounter when they migrate to New York City or other major United States cities.
Manuel Hernandez is a contributing columnist to Puerto Rico Sun. He is author of a textbook titled, Latino/a Literature in The English Classroom (Editorial Plaza Mayor, 2003). He may be reached at mannyh32@puertoricans.com.
The Redefining of a National Identity and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade
By Manuel Hernandez
A twenty-two year old nephew and a 2004 graduate at the University of Puerto Rico, on a recent visit to the 2004 National Puerto Rican Day Parade to New York City, shared with me some interesting impressions of the Puerto Ricans there and made a few striking remarks about how his perception of a national identity had changed once he left the Parade and reflected on what he had seen and experienced while participating in the largest parade in the United States.
He was dazed at the sight of so many Puerto Rican flags being waved along Fifth Avenue and proudly displayed on tee-shirts, nails, hats, cheeks, heads and in other parts of the human body. In-spite of majoring in Puerto Rican history, it was hard for him to understand how and why Puerto Ricans in New York elected to celebrate and preserve culture without apprehension. He spoke about how excited, proud and happy they seemed after singing the one-hundredth version of "Que Bonita Bandera". I replied by giving Tomas a crash course on New York Puerto Ricans and how I felt the parade reflected a redefinition of a national identity.
Most New York Puerto Rican historians agree that Puerto Ricans have been migrating to New York as early as 1830. But in an interview for Carmen Dolores Hernandez' Puerto Rican Voices in English, a New York poet and historian, Louis Reyes Rivera, stems the migration in the late 1700's:"Puerto Ricans in New York are traceable to the American Revolution and even before, given that Puerto Rico was New England's single largest customer for smuggling Operations which were intended to avoid paying taxes (121)."
Commercial ties and the trading of raw materials paved the way for the early settlers. Towards the latter part of the 19th century, political circumstances proved to be the most important migration factor. Puerto Ricans who were against Spanish rule voluntarily left the Island or were exiled. After the United States obtained official political control of the Island in 1898, more working-class Puerto Ricans came to New York. By World War II, there were close to 150,000 people of Puerto Rican origin in New York.
Your grandparents migrated to New York in the late 1950's. They were part of a massive immigration movement fostered by the new Puerto Rican Commonwealth Government of 1952 and its political and economic links to the United States. "Los viejos" joined thousands of Puerto Ricans in their quest of the American Dream. The new immigrants founded a Puerto Rico of their own called "El Barrio". "The New York Island" stretched across 96th Street North to 127th Street and Fifth Avenue East in Manhattan. During the summers, "El Barrio" came alive with the sounds of "La Isla Del Encanto". Puerto Ricans brought their music, literature, arts, food and traditions to New York. As American citizens, they felt no need to deny their roots and culture. Spanish was kept alive at home. It was an inexpensive ticket back home, and many that came went back to "La Isla" or became extraordinary elements in the revolving door syndrome.
The first Puerto Rican Day Parade took place on Sunday, April 12, 1958 in "El Barrio". The Parade went National in 1995 to extend its borders and outreach. The Parade was established to create a national conscience and to appreciate the Puerto Rican culture and its contributions to the American society. It also stimulates the study, progress and development of the Puerto Rican culture and art. The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is a yearly event with on-going educational, cultural, social and artistic presentations throughout the year. Close to two million people attend the Parade making it the largest outdoor celebration event in the United States.
My nephew had listened for the past twenty-minutes, but he interrupted me and asked "Ok, that sounds interesting Tio but how is the Parade reflective of a Puerto Rican national identity?" I calmed him down and gave him my personal opinion. Puerto Ricans in New York are holding on to their culture.
For us US Ricans, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade is more than just a celebration of sorts. It is an expression of national identity. It's standing up for what we believe in. By reaffirming our Puerto Ricanness as a people, we define ourselves as a nation. Remember Tomas; it is only when you leave the Island that you begin to understand that you are a Puerto Rican. The political mayhem on the Island does not allow you to flavor or even sense a national identity. Just the mentioning of the term nation, frightens Island scholars and academics alike. The four-year three-party political enterprise in "La Isla" entertains itself with year long, endless and tireless futile debates on budgets, resolutions and foregone nominations. Flags are only pulled up after Tito Trinidad wins a fight or whenever a major Puerto Rican celebrity reaches a milestone or makes history. The red, blue and green politicians attend the National event in New York to make connections or to have an excuse to take a week off from work. Some Islanders will say that there is no need to honor the Puerto Rican flag, but Americans including the Puerto Ricans born and raised in New York honor the Stars and Stripes in every school, neighborhood and community in the United States.
Puerto Ricans in New York and other cities have a sense of nostalgia because those that left as children take with them the Puerto Rico of their childhood. Those that left as adolescents struggled to adjust to another identity and in the cultural warfare dreamed with the Island every day. The adults that migrated had every day visions with the green plantain fields and blue green beaches and dream of going back and buying a "finquita". They did not have to hide or bury their national identity.
The American way of life celebrates the reaffirmation of national identities precisely because the United States was founded and populated by immigrants. You my dear nephew have had a close encounter of the third kind with your national identity. Thousands of Puerto Ricans will experience the same identity encounter when they migrate to New York City or other major United States cities.
Manuel Hernandez is a contributing columnist to Puerto Rico Sun. He is author of a textbook titled, Latino/a Literature in The English Classroom (Editorial Plaza Mayor, 2003). He may be reached at mannyh32@puertoricans.com.
Sato Boricua!
Today's Featured Photo
Photo by Irie Psilocybin
Photo is part of the gallery in the Sato group pool at flickr.
http://flickr.com/groups/sato/pool/
This group is dedicated to images of "sato" dogs.
Photo by Irie Psilocybin
Photo is part of the gallery in the Sato group pool at flickr.
http://flickr.com/groups/sato/pool/
This group is dedicated to images of "sato" dogs.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Puerto Rico, Fajardo, vista
Today's featured photo from the Puerto Rico Sun flickr group pool
Photo by docman
What a vista!
Photo by docman
What a vista!
Monday, May 30, 2005
autopista
Today's featured photo by Jaime Olmo
Sometimes it is great to just take the highway and get away from it all.
Sometimes it is great to just take the highway and get away from it all.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
PR Angel
Today's Featured Photo
Photo by MsAnthea
"Look closely at the detail. This is not an ordinary form of graffiti." -- MsAnthea
Photo by MsAnthea
"Look closely at the detail. This is not an ordinary form of graffiti." -- MsAnthea
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Community Happenings
From prdream.com
A screening of THE KRUTCH at the Harlemwood Film
Festival
THE KRUTCH
Written and directed by Judith Escalona
16mm/DV, 29 minutes
Monday, June 20, 7PM
The Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue
(between East 103rd and East 104th Streets)
"The Krutch" is a surreal narrative about a Puerto Rican psychoanalyst
with a long-suppressed identity problem that erupts with some dire
consequences.
The film is unique in exploring the mental anguish and shame associated
with racism. Stylistically akin to Buñuel with an eye towards Godard,
it occupies an absurdist space that keeps it from descending into the
maudlin cliches of realism. With Jaime Sanchez as the mysterious Dr. Guzman and Cathy Haase as his unsuspecting patient Mrs. Kleist.
I will also be participating in a panel of filmmakers that evening.
======================================
Judith Escalona
Director
PRDREAM.COM
161 East 106th Street
(212)828-0401
http://www.prdream.com
Empowering community through technology
========================================
From prdream.com
A screening of THE KRUTCH at the Harlemwood Film
Festival
THE KRUTCH
Written and directed by Judith Escalona
16mm/DV, 29 minutes
Monday, June 20, 7PM
The Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue
(between East 103rd and East 104th Streets)
"The Krutch" is a surreal narrative about a Puerto Rican psychoanalyst
with a long-suppressed identity problem that erupts with some dire
consequences.
The film is unique in exploring the mental anguish and shame associated
with racism. Stylistically akin to Buñuel with an eye towards Godard,
it occupies an absurdist space that keeps it from descending into the
maudlin cliches of realism. With Jaime Sanchez as the mysterious Dr. Guzman and Cathy Haase as his unsuspecting patient Mrs. Kleist.
I will also be participating in a panel of filmmakers that evening.
======================================
Judith Escalona
Director
PRDREAM.COM
161 East 106th Street
(212)828-0401
http://www.prdream.com
Empowering community through technology
========================================
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Travel The World
Hip Place to Visit: Taiwan
By WARREN WOODBERRY JR.
When you see the words ‘Made in Taiwan’ etched on the back of your television remote control, you probably conjure up visions of factory workers on an assembly line cranking out needless gizmos to flood the American market.
Taiwan’s pretty well-known for being the world’s number one producer of laptop computers, but few people are hip to the island - officially the Republic of China as being one of Asia’s most beautiful lands.
Slightly larger than Massachusetts and Connecticut combined, Taiwan was named by Portuguese explorers as Ihla Formosa meaning, “beautiful island.” With its tropical climate, the temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit most of the year. The island is 36,000 square-miles and includes several off-shore islands.
The heart of Taiwan is Taipei, the capital city. The northern city is a bustling modern international metropolis with a thriving arts and cultural center, and vibrant economy. The people are humble, polite and dress conservatively. For a city of 2.7 million people, it is immaculately clean. One would have to wait till the end of the day to find garbage on the street.
Taipei is a big attraction with the Japanese, drawn by a nightlife with shoppers packing Sogo department store, wannabe stars screeching at the top of their lungs at the t 24-hour Partyworld Karaoke bar, and curb side vendors hocking knock-off designer bags along Fu Xing Rd.
But the city’s main attraction is Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building and Taiwan’s proudest accomplishment. The whole building is erected in the shape of a lotus flower to express the local culture. From the 89th floor, the indoor observatory presents spectacular views of the basin city and the Pacific Ocean.
The modern marvel was designed to protect against earthquakes and typhoons with a 660 metric ton giant steel ball damper in its center to dissipate wind and vibration. The building is as strong as a rock yet flexible as a bamboo. Taipei 101 holds some records such as having the world’s fastest elevators logged in the Guinness Book of Records.
Make a quick get-away from the big city with an hour flight to Hualien where you can set out on a scenic drive along the east coast. With the blue waters crashing on black sandy beaches and clouds covering lavish green mountain tops, Taiwan’s east coast highways of sharp twists and turns atop steep cliffs is just the kind of place where you’d want to put a sports car to the test.
The picturesque drive from Hualien to Hengch’un is a great way to experience the natural beauty that Taiwan has to offer. Along the way there are numerous national park sites to check out, such as Stone Stairs, rocks naturally shaped like steps by ocean erosion, or Bashian Cave, a Buddahist temple in the crack of a mountain side.
In the central mountain range is Taiwan’s version of the Grand Canyon, the famous and stunning marble canyon, Toroko Gorge. Ocean erosion forged the Gorge four million years ago, exposing the marble stone which is compact and resistant.
From the mountain tops to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, view aquatic life at the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium in Checheng. Watch sharks swim above your head as you walk through large Plexiglass tubes, or experience the bottom of the sea through the coral covered walls of a “ship wreck.” Visitors can explore the ecology of fish through interactive exhibits and audio-visual media.
For those who enjoy such exotic get-a-ways half-a-world away, yet can’t help running to a Starbucks or McDonald’s, don’t worry about leaving your Big Gulp at home. 7-Elevens dot the landscape in Taiwan like bodegas on New York City street corners.
Visitors to Taiwan’s biggest cities won’t frighten the novice tourist either. You’ll find that Taiwan is quite Western-friendly and that many service people speak English. Street signs also reflect the language.
A round-trip ticket to Taiwan on China Airline costs about $1,000 this season. A one-night stay at five star luxury hotel is just $200 U.S. dollars.
Transit visitors to Taiwan may receive a free half-day tour from the Taiwan Visitors Association when making a connecting flight in the country. Transfer passengers may register for a five-hour sightseeing tour of Taipei. Certain conditions apply.
For travel information on vacation trips to Taiwan visit the Taiwan Travel Association at www.taiwan.net.tw.
- Warren Woodberry Jr. is a staff writer at the New York Daily News.
Hip Place to Visit: Taiwan
By WARREN WOODBERRY JR.
When you see the words ‘Made in Taiwan’ etched on the back of your television remote control, you probably conjure up visions of factory workers on an assembly line cranking out needless gizmos to flood the American market.
Taiwan’s pretty well-known for being the world’s number one producer of laptop computers, but few people are hip to the island - officially the Republic of China as being one of Asia’s most beautiful lands.
Slightly larger than Massachusetts and Connecticut combined, Taiwan was named by Portuguese explorers as Ihla Formosa meaning, “beautiful island.” With its tropical climate, the temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit most of the year. The island is 36,000 square-miles and includes several off-shore islands.
The heart of Taiwan is Taipei, the capital city. The northern city is a bustling modern international metropolis with a thriving arts and cultural center, and vibrant economy. The people are humble, polite and dress conservatively. For a city of 2.7 million people, it is immaculately clean. One would have to wait till the end of the day to find garbage on the street.
Taipei is a big attraction with the Japanese, drawn by a nightlife with shoppers packing Sogo department store, wannabe stars screeching at the top of their lungs at the t 24-hour Partyworld Karaoke bar, and curb side vendors hocking knock-off designer bags along Fu Xing Rd.
But the city’s main attraction is Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building and Taiwan’s proudest accomplishment. The whole building is erected in the shape of a lotus flower to express the local culture. From the 89th floor, the indoor observatory presents spectacular views of the basin city and the Pacific Ocean.
The modern marvel was designed to protect against earthquakes and typhoons with a 660 metric ton giant steel ball damper in its center to dissipate wind and vibration. The building is as strong as a rock yet flexible as a bamboo. Taipei 101 holds some records such as having the world’s fastest elevators logged in the Guinness Book of Records.
Make a quick get-away from the big city with an hour flight to Hualien where you can set out on a scenic drive along the east coast. With the blue waters crashing on black sandy beaches and clouds covering lavish green mountain tops, Taiwan’s east coast highways of sharp twists and turns atop steep cliffs is just the kind of place where you’d want to put a sports car to the test.
The picturesque drive from Hualien to Hengch’un is a great way to experience the natural beauty that Taiwan has to offer. Along the way there are numerous national park sites to check out, such as Stone Stairs, rocks naturally shaped like steps by ocean erosion, or Bashian Cave, a Buddahist temple in the crack of a mountain side.
In the central mountain range is Taiwan’s version of the Grand Canyon, the famous and stunning marble canyon, Toroko Gorge. Ocean erosion forged the Gorge four million years ago, exposing the marble stone which is compact and resistant.
From the mountain tops to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, view aquatic life at the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium in Checheng. Watch sharks swim above your head as you walk through large Plexiglass tubes, or experience the bottom of the sea through the coral covered walls of a “ship wreck.” Visitors can explore the ecology of fish through interactive exhibits and audio-visual media.
For those who enjoy such exotic get-a-ways half-a-world away, yet can’t help running to a Starbucks or McDonald’s, don’t worry about leaving your Big Gulp at home. 7-Elevens dot the landscape in Taiwan like bodegas on New York City street corners.
Visitors to Taiwan’s biggest cities won’t frighten the novice tourist either. You’ll find that Taiwan is quite Western-friendly and that many service people speak English. Street signs also reflect the language.
A round-trip ticket to Taiwan on China Airline costs about $1,000 this season. A one-night stay at five star luxury hotel is just $200 U.S. dollars.
Transit visitors to Taiwan may receive a free half-day tour from the Taiwan Visitors Association when making a connecting flight in the country. Transfer passengers may register for a five-hour sightseeing tour of Taipei. Certain conditions apply.
For travel information on vacation trips to Taiwan visit the Taiwan Travel Association at www.taiwan.net.tw.
- Warren Woodberry Jr. is a staff writer at the New York Daily News.
Community Happenings
Source: The Hispanic Professional Network
CT ASSOCIATION OF LATINOS IN
HIGHER EDUCATION (CALAHE)
23rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
"Higher Education and Politics:
The Impact on Latinos"
Friday, June 10th, 2005
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALAHE invites you join us at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT on Friday, June 10, 2005 for our 23rd Annual Conference.
Since its establishment in 1978, CALAHE has promoted and advocated for the full access, participation, and retention of Latinas/os throughout Connecticut higher education. This year's conference theme is "Higher Education and Politics: The Impact on Latinos."
CALAHE has invited two widely respected speakers in the field of higher education to address conference participants. Dr. Margarita Benitez, who coordinates academic initiatives in the United States for the University of Puerto Rico and Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President of the Educational Policy Institute which is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to policy-based research on educational opportunity for all students.
The conference will provide ten concurrent workshops, a Latino cuisine luncheon, and a networking reception at the conclusion of the conference.
Additional information including on-line registration and payment can be obtained by visiting www.calahe.org and clicking on Annual Conference.
Join CALAHE at its 23rd Annual Conference as it explores the issues impacting the Latino experience in higher education.
If you have any questions, please contact Maria D. Martinez at (860)486-4040, maria.d.martinez@uconn.edu or Walter Diaz, at (860)465-5244, walter.diaz@calahe.org . We look forward to your participation.
Source: The Hispanic Professional Network
CT ASSOCIATION OF LATINOS IN
HIGHER EDUCATION (CALAHE)
23rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
"Higher Education and Politics:
The Impact on Latinos"
Friday, June 10th, 2005
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALAHE invites you join us at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT on Friday, June 10, 2005 for our 23rd Annual Conference.
Since its establishment in 1978, CALAHE has promoted and advocated for the full access, participation, and retention of Latinas/os throughout Connecticut higher education. This year's conference theme is "Higher Education and Politics: The Impact on Latinos."
CALAHE has invited two widely respected speakers in the field of higher education to address conference participants. Dr. Margarita Benitez, who coordinates academic initiatives in the United States for the University of Puerto Rico and Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President of the Educational Policy Institute which is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to policy-based research on educational opportunity for all students.
The conference will provide ten concurrent workshops, a Latino cuisine luncheon, and a networking reception at the conclusion of the conference.
Additional information including on-line registration and payment can be obtained by visiting www.calahe.org and clicking on Annual Conference.
Join CALAHE at its 23rd Annual Conference as it explores the issues impacting the Latino experience in higher education.
If you have any questions, please contact Maria D. Martinez at (860)486-4040, maria.d.martinez@uconn.edu or Walter Diaz, at (860)465-5244, walter.diaz@calahe.org . We look forward to your participation.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Doors
Beautiful Puerto Rico photo by MsAnthea
Her photostream at flickr is
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthea
Her photostream at flickr is
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthea
Friday, May 20, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Education Corner
May 18, 2005
NCLR REPORT HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HEAD START PROGRAM FOR HISPANIC CHILDREN
Washington, DC - Today, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., released a white paper entitled Head Start Reauthorization: Promoting School Readiness for Hispanic Children. Head Start is the federal program that provides low-income children with a high-quality early education. The report found that while Head Start is a widely successful program overall, it can be improved to better meet the needs of Hispanic children who represent a large share (34%) of the eligible Head Start child population.
"One of the most successful education programs ever created, Head Start has a long history of preparing children for the first day of school. It is critically important that Congress make Head Start more accessible to Latino families and more effective in addressing the school readiness needs of Latino children," said Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO.
Head Start Reauthorization points out that the number of children enrolled in Head Start who do not speak English as their first language has grown dramatically in the last decade, particularly in southeastern and midwestern states. Approximately 28% of Head Start children have limited English proficiency (LEP), with the vast majority of these children identified as Spanish-speakers. Further, the report noted that these children and their families face language differences that serve as barriers to meaningful participation in the broad array of Head Start education and family services.
In its report, NCLR provides recommendations for ways to strengthen the program and calls on Congress to address program improvements for Hispanic children in the pending renewal of the Head Start Act. "For Head Start to remain a model program for early education, it must be responsive to the needs of our nation's increasingly diverse families. Increasing the number of well-trained bilingual teachers who can implement research-based instructional strategies in the classroom and support parents as their children's first teacher is a good first step," noted Murguia.
"Latinos believe that education is the key to the American dream and a better future. There is perhaps no greater federal program that can help Latinos succeed in school and in life than Head Start. I urge Congress to make strengthening Head Start for Latinos a priority in this reauthorization," concluded Murguia.
The report can be downloaded free of charge on NCLR's website at www.nclr.org.
###
Source: NCLR
May 18, 2005
NCLR REPORT HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HEAD START PROGRAM FOR HISPANIC CHILDREN
Washington, DC - Today, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., released a white paper entitled Head Start Reauthorization: Promoting School Readiness for Hispanic Children. Head Start is the federal program that provides low-income children with a high-quality early education. The report found that while Head Start is a widely successful program overall, it can be improved to better meet the needs of Hispanic children who represent a large share (34%) of the eligible Head Start child population.
"One of the most successful education programs ever created, Head Start has a long history of preparing children for the first day of school. It is critically important that Congress make Head Start more accessible to Latino families and more effective in addressing the school readiness needs of Latino children," said Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO.
Head Start Reauthorization points out that the number of children enrolled in Head Start who do not speak English as their first language has grown dramatically in the last decade, particularly in southeastern and midwestern states. Approximately 28% of Head Start children have limited English proficiency (LEP), with the vast majority of these children identified as Spanish-speakers. Further, the report noted that these children and their families face language differences that serve as barriers to meaningful participation in the broad array of Head Start education and family services.
In its report, NCLR provides recommendations for ways to strengthen the program and calls on Congress to address program improvements for Hispanic children in the pending renewal of the Head Start Act. "For Head Start to remain a model program for early education, it must be responsive to the needs of our nation's increasingly diverse families. Increasing the number of well-trained bilingual teachers who can implement research-based instructional strategies in the classroom and support parents as their children's first teacher is a good first step," noted Murguia.
"Latinos believe that education is the key to the American dream and a better future. There is perhaps no greater federal program that can help Latinos succeed in school and in life than Head Start. I urge Congress to make strengthening Head Start for Latinos a priority in this reauthorization," concluded Murguia.
The report can be downloaded free of charge on NCLR's website at www.nclr.org.
###
Source: NCLR
Monday, May 16, 2005
Community Happenings
May 20th and May 21st
“Appraising Puerto Rican, Latino and Hispanic Caribbean Art”
Art Conference at Hunter College’s School of Social Work Auditorium
(79th Street & Lexington Avenue)
Please visit: www.centropr.org for information.
For more information on Centro Events, please visit
http://centropr.org/events/index.html or call (212)772-5714.
May 20th and May 21st
“Appraising Puerto Rican, Latino and Hispanic Caribbean Art”
Art Conference at Hunter College’s School of Social Work Auditorium
(79th Street & Lexington Avenue)
Please visit: www.centropr.org for information.
For more information on Centro Events, please visit
http://centropr.org/events/index.html or call (212)772-5714.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
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