Community calendar
“Her Food for Thought” Celebrating Latina Women in Poetry will showcase talents of published and emerging poets of Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Spain and of Taino Decent. With topics that broad in range. Voices that are passionate and experiences that are personal and sometimes painful. Each artist brings a unique style and vision to the stage. The listeners will relate to the challenges that some have faced and recognize the accomplishments that others have achieved. The poetry will evoke dialogue and discussion. They will convey a deep sense of spirituality and culture, an understanding of the power of “Woman” and the Magic she creates.
“Her Food for Thought” Latina Poetry Review
7-9:30 p.m., March 26
FREE Admission / Cash Bar
Clemente Soto Velez Cultural & Educational Center, Inc.
107 Suffolk Street, Manhattan
For more information, Mia Roman Hernandez at artbymamamia@yahoo.com or call (646)366-6448.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters: The Nuyoricans
Commentary
By Manuel Hernández Carmona
New York Puerto Rican writer, Miguel Algarin (Puerto Rican Voices in English, p.39) came to Puerto Rico with colleague Miguel Piñero in the early 1970's. They were speaking in English, Spanish, Spanglish and a variety of sorts when they heard someone calling them Nuyoricans. Algarin thought they were using the term in a humiliating way. When my parents moved back to the island in 1974, I was immediately referred to as "el nuyorican" by classmates, relatives and friends. I was confused because I had never been called like that before. Nuyorican is a combination of the words New York and Puerto Rican. It was and still is used to identify Puerto Ricans born and raised in the United States and to differentiate them from island Puerto Ricans ("Adios Borinquen Querida", p.90).
Puerto Ricans born in other US cities resent the term because they were not born in New York City. For some New York Puerto Ricans, it is a label they prefer not to be associated with. Other New York Puerto Ricans view the term as connected to Puerto Ricans in New York before or after their time of birth and residence. Although it is true that the term carries significant negative connotations, for a strong minority being Nuyorican means pride, dignity and uniqueness. For me, it is like living on a bridge over troubled waters. It means moving back and forth, to and from, without the geographical, social, cultural and historical limitations.
Literary critics use the term to identify a group of pioneers, New York based Puerto Rican poets who grew up in the streets of New York City in the early 60's and 70's. The literary critic and scholar, Dr. Juan Flores defines the so-called Nuyorican modality: “Freely bilingual in style and conception, it was written by young Puerto Ricans who grew up in the streets of New York City. The poems are filled with that biting defiance and strident pride that erupted on the literary landscape in1973 with Puerto Rican Obituary in 1973 (Divided Borders, p.168).”
Most Nuyoricans live on a bridge over troubled waters. The 30,000 feet high point in between the island and New York seems like the safest place for them to exist. When they arrive on the island, they are often called "gringos". Adapting to the Puerto Rican mentality may become a nightmare for many. Language, attitudes and culture become barriers when they return to their homeland. Some are treated as foreigners and strangers in their own island neighborhoods, churches and backyards. Nuyoricans feel disappointed and disheartened when confronted with ignorance and prejudice in "La Isla". As a result, they decide to observe the PR culture from the outside.
When I was on the verge of creating a course on US based Puerto Rican literature at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, a ferocious debate occurred on the name of the course; they wanted me to call the course, Nuyorican literature. Some ex-colleagues fought gallantly to undermine the inclusion of the course amongst American and Britiish survey courses. In 2009, the course continues to stir interest amongst undergrad and grad students at UPR's finest institution.
The bridge has no geographical limitations. Mexicans born and raised in the states are treated the same or probably worse by their native Mexican brothers and sisters. All the social and cultural tossing and turning, forces the Nuyorican to be on the alert and on the defensive most of the time. Will Nuyoricans finally mix and blend in to the old melting pot? Will they give up their freedom of being bilingual and bicultural? These are only a couple of questions that will remain unanswered. It is no wonder that many of us feel relieved and at peace when the captain of a 747 finally says: "We have reached our highest altitude, 30,000 feet and will be cruising until we reach our final destiny."
Manuel Hernández Carmona, a Puerto Rico-based freelance writer and educator, is a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun. PRSUN welcomes Manny back. To contact Manny, mannyh32@puertoricans.com
By Manuel Hernández Carmona
New York Puerto Rican writer, Miguel Algarin (Puerto Rican Voices in English, p.39) came to Puerto Rico with colleague Miguel Piñero in the early 1970's. They were speaking in English, Spanish, Spanglish and a variety of sorts when they heard someone calling them Nuyoricans. Algarin thought they were using the term in a humiliating way. When my parents moved back to the island in 1974, I was immediately referred to as "el nuyorican" by classmates, relatives and friends. I was confused because I had never been called like that before. Nuyorican is a combination of the words New York and Puerto Rican. It was and still is used to identify Puerto Ricans born and raised in the United States and to differentiate them from island Puerto Ricans ("Adios Borinquen Querida", p.90).
Puerto Ricans born in other US cities resent the term because they were not born in New York City. For some New York Puerto Ricans, it is a label they prefer not to be associated with. Other New York Puerto Ricans view the term as connected to Puerto Ricans in New York before or after their time of birth and residence. Although it is true that the term carries significant negative connotations, for a strong minority being Nuyorican means pride, dignity and uniqueness. For me, it is like living on a bridge over troubled waters. It means moving back and forth, to and from, without the geographical, social, cultural and historical limitations.
Literary critics use the term to identify a group of pioneers, New York based Puerto Rican poets who grew up in the streets of New York City in the early 60's and 70's. The literary critic and scholar, Dr. Juan Flores defines the so-called Nuyorican modality: “Freely bilingual in style and conception, it was written by young Puerto Ricans who grew up in the streets of New York City. The poems are filled with that biting defiance and strident pride that erupted on the literary landscape in1973 with Puerto Rican Obituary in 1973 (Divided Borders, p.168).”
Most Nuyoricans live on a bridge over troubled waters. The 30,000 feet high point in between the island and New York seems like the safest place for them to exist. When they arrive on the island, they are often called "gringos". Adapting to the Puerto Rican mentality may become a nightmare for many. Language, attitudes and culture become barriers when they return to their homeland. Some are treated as foreigners and strangers in their own island neighborhoods, churches and backyards. Nuyoricans feel disappointed and disheartened when confronted with ignorance and prejudice in "La Isla". As a result, they decide to observe the PR culture from the outside.
When I was on the verge of creating a course on US based Puerto Rican literature at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, a ferocious debate occurred on the name of the course; they wanted me to call the course, Nuyorican literature. Some ex-colleagues fought gallantly to undermine the inclusion of the course amongst American and Britiish survey courses. In 2009, the course continues to stir interest amongst undergrad and grad students at UPR's finest institution.
The bridge has no geographical limitations. Mexicans born and raised in the states are treated the same or probably worse by their native Mexican brothers and sisters. All the social and cultural tossing and turning, forces the Nuyorican to be on the alert and on the defensive most of the time. Will Nuyoricans finally mix and blend in to the old melting pot? Will they give up their freedom of being bilingual and bicultural? These are only a couple of questions that will remain unanswered. It is no wonder that many of us feel relieved and at peace when the captain of a 747 finally says: "We have reached our highest altitude, 30,000 feet and will be cruising until we reach our final destiny."
Manuel Hernández Carmona, a Puerto Rico-based freelance writer and educator, is a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun. PRSUN welcomes Manny back. To contact Manny, mannyh32@puertoricans.com
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Nuyorican poet Sandra Maria Esteves to lead Bronx writing workshop tomorrow
Acentos Writers Workshops Welcomes Sandra Maria Esteves
Acentos is doing something special every Sunday at Hostos Community college to promote writing and poetry. Acentos is offering dynamic workshops in the Bronx for free. Acentos offers participants the opportunity to work with some of the most well respected writers of our time. Writers like Sandra Maria Esteves who has blazed trails so wide and thick it made it just a little bit easier for Acentos to exist. This coming Sunday is not a day to miss.
Sandra Maria Esteves
Poet Sandra María Esteves is a "Puerto Rican-Dominican-Boriqueña- Quisqueyana-Taino-African-American," born and raised in the Bronx.
One of the founders of the Nuyorican poetry movement, she has published six collections of poetry including Finding Your Way (2001); Contrapunto In The Open Field (1998); Undelivered Love Poems (1997); Bluestown Mockingbird Mambo (1990); Tropical Rain: A Bilingual Downpour (1984); and Yerba Buena (1981) which was selected as Best Small Press in 1981 by the Library Journal.
She has conducted literary programs at organizations including the Caribbean Cultural Center and El Museo del Barrio. Ms. Esteves was awarded as an Art Review 2001 Honoree from the Bronx Council on the Arts, and received the 1985 NYFA Fellowship in Poetry. She lives in New York City..
Acentos Writers Workshop with Sandra Maria Esteves @ Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College •
450 Grand Concourse, the Bronx
***ROOM 454***
12 pm sharp
Phone (718) 518-4444
RSVP at Fish@louderarts.com.
(photo of Sandra Maria Esteves by Clarisel Gonzalez)
source: Acentos
Editor's note: Esteves' works are available at the PRSUN aStore:
Check it out. Shopping at the PRSUN aStore is a way of supporting the Puerto Rico Sun community media project.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Anibal Acevedo Vila is Innocent
Former Puerto Rico Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila is not guilty on all counts in his corruption trial. The verdict by a jury at the federal court concluded his month long trial earlier today in Puerto Rico.
"I hope Puerto Rico learns from this lesson," said Acevedo Vila after the verdict. "You defend the truth no matter what."
I'm glad because federal authorities didn't have enough proof against the former governor, judging by media reports I heard during the trial.
To read today's report on Acevedo Vila's verdict,
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090321/twl-cb-puerto-rico-governor-s-trial-1be00ca.html
Share your thoughts. Feel free to leave your comments.
"I hope Puerto Rico learns from this lesson," said Acevedo Vila after the verdict. "You defend the truth no matter what."
I'm glad because federal authorities didn't have enough proof against the former governor, judging by media reports I heard during the trial.
To read today's report on Acevedo Vila's verdict,
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090321/twl-cb-puerto-rico-governor-s-trial-1be00ca.html
Share your thoughts. Feel free to leave your comments.
Research Seminar: Welfare reform in NYC
Community calendar
Welfare Reform in NYC:
From Slums to the Projects
Presenters: Cordelia Reimers and Howard Chernick, Hunter College with Marygrace Tyrell, Northwestern University
6 p.m., Thursday, March 26
Centro Conference Room 1437 East Bldg.
Hunter College
68th & Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
For more information, www.centropr.org.
Welfare Reform in NYC:
From Slums to the Projects
Presenters: Cordelia Reimers and Howard Chernick, Hunter College with Marygrace Tyrell, Northwestern University
6 p.m., Thursday, March 26
Centro Conference Room 1437 East Bldg.
Hunter College
68th & Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
For more information, www.centropr.org.
Free Stylin' in El Barrio
Community calendar
90’s Diva Judy Torres is expected to attend.
TONIGHT is Freestyle night at Cemi Underground in NYC's El Barrio.
For more information, www.cemiunderground.com.
Editor's note: Nieves-Powell's book "Free Style" is also available at the PRSUN aStore.
90’s Diva Judy Torres is expected to attend.
TONIGHT is Freestyle night at Cemi Underground in NYC's El Barrio.
For more information, www.cemiunderground.com.
Editor's note: Nieves-Powell's book "Free Style" is also available at the PRSUN aStore.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Riches in 4 Steps with Xavier Serbia
Financial expert and former Menudo Xavier Serbia is the scheduled guest on PRSUN Radio Monday night. He is currently promoting his new book "La riqueza en cuatro pisos," and will be sharing some helpful financial tips with listeners. The talk show is planned for 9-9:15 p.m. at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio. If you can't listen to the show live, it will be archived at PRSUN Radio.
"La riqueza en cuatro pisos" is a survival manual. Having sufficient wealth in the future, and achieving financial independence are two of the primary goals for Hispanics; this book is the first step. For more information, go to my blog at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.
Editor's Note: Serbia's book is available at the PRSUN aStore at:
"La riqueza en cuatro pisos" is a survival manual. Having sufficient wealth in the future, and achieving financial independence are two of the primary goals for Hispanics; this book is the first step. For more information, go to my blog at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.
Editor's Note: Serbia's book is available at the PRSUN aStore at:
‘The Show Still Goes On’
In one of their first events honoring Women’s History Month at the Centro (The Center for Puerto Rican Studies) library at Hunter College in Manhattan, organizers put together a talk entitled “The Show Still Goes On.”
Professor and historian Virginia Sanchez-Korrol moderated the conversation with actresses Miriam Colon (the founder of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre) and Eva Vasquez.
The actresses offered a history lesson and conversation full of theatre, especially focusing on the Latino New York theatre scene, and they shared their success stories. Both actresses said their inspiration came from family. –- Ismael Nunez
(photo by Ismael Nunez)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
It's time to change
It's time to get another Puerto Rican flag.
This flag decorates a community garden in NYC's El Barrio.
(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)
Monday, March 16, 2009
My day of dreams at the Nuyorican Poets Café
In the first person
If you’ve ever been to the Nuyorican Poets Café in lower Manhattan than you can understand why it would be such an honor for my first public performance outside of school to be at this historical Café.
It was a Sunday in the middle of the afternoon and I was seemingly relaxed. I was coming above ground from the 6 train, probably the most eager as I’ve ever been. My older sister Lisa and I strolled the streets of the L.E.S. searching for this landmark. My blood was boiling with excitement. I was headed to the Urban Word’s 11th Annual Teen Poetry Preliminary Round at the Nuyorican! Life couldn’t get better.
I spent countless hours practicing the poem, so I wasn’t nervous about my memorization of my piece. I remember the names were placed in a raffle envelope as everyone took a seat for a chance to spill their guts into the mic for the judges.
“This rug is a very famous one, one that Saul Williams and other famous poets have stood on; you should be honored to recite on this rug poets,” I remember one of the hosts telling us as part of his introduction. Poet after poet literally poured their hearts out for us to hear and for judges to judge in the hopes to make it to the next round. INTENSE. When I was called up, the level of comfort was amazing. It was as if I felt that this was where I belonged all these years. I was sick with pink eye in both eyes and just midway through my recovery, but that didn’t stop me. I was up on stage at the Nuyorican. AMAZING.
“You Are Nothing.” That was the first line of my poem. People gasp and laugh at the same time throughout the piece. I’m still shocked at such positive feedback I received. Being pulled to the side by a judge was probably the most stunning part of the night. “CARLOS! Besides our name being the same, I really liked that poem,” the judge told me.
I mean even the bathroom at the café is amazing. It’s decorated with autographed posters of famous performing artists that I’ve never even heard. As a poet, honestly, it was a dream to perform at the Nuyorican Poets Café, especially because I am a Puerto Rican from New York. I never, ever, ever, ever, EVER thought it would happen, and I never expected this to be the first place where I would have been given the opportunity to perform.
It’s truly amazing. As I write this article, I’m still in shock that I performed at the Nuyorican and impressed with the people, even though I couldn’t see their faces during the performance because of the spotlight. Honestly, if not the best, performing at the Nuyorican has been one of the best experiences of my life as a poet and even more so as a person trying to succeed. -- Carlos Burgos
Carlos Burgos, a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun, is a poet that goes by the name "Iro" because he says it means "Man" in Taino and the name Carlos also means "Man." To connect with Iro, go to his Facebook page at
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1461579595&ref=profile
(photo of Carlos Burgos)
(photo of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe by Clarisel Gonzalez)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)