Pierluisi introduces the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009

Oh God. When will the issue of political status on the island be resolved? Bueno, here's yet another step. It will probably not lead to a real change in the island's political status, but it is a step at least.

Today, Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi for Puerto Rico introduced the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009. Here's an excerpt from Pierluisi's speech today:

"The bill I have introduced today is simple and it is fair. It first authorizes the government of Puerto Rico to conduct a plebiscite. Voters will be asked whether they wish to maintain Puerto Rico’s present form of political status or whether they wish to have a different political status. If a majority of voters cast their ballots in favor of a different political status, the government of Puerto Rico will be authorized to conduct a second plebiscite among three options: independence, statehood, and sovereignty in association with the United States.
The bill does not exclude any status option, and it does not favor any status option.
It enables the people of Puerto Rico to express their wishes regarding the Island’s
political status in a series of democratic votes. It will thus ensure that the views of all the people are heard on this fundamental question. The results of these votes
will be certified to the President and to Congress.
I am optimistic that this bill will receive a fair hearing in committee, that it will be brought up for a vote before the full House, and that it will ultimately be approved by this chamber with strong bipartisan support. I am likewise confident that the Senate, having witnessed these events in the House, will also approve the bill. And I believe that President Obama, who has promised to address the question of
Puerto Rico’s status within his first term in office, will sign the bill with pride
when it reaches his desk."

For the full speech, go to
http://pierluisi.house.gov/home.html

PRSUN's Featured Video: 'Apariencias' by Navegante

"Apariencias" Official video! from Navegante on Vimeo.

NAVEGANTE delivers a fresh urban blend of Electro Latin Funk with deep synth-bass lines and hard hitting beats layered with the melodic tapestry of the the Puerto Rican Cuatro. For more info., visit http://www.vimeo.com/4717793.

source: Navegante

Boricuas writing their own history

Boricuas writing their own history.
That's what this period in history will be known as.
Everytime a poet writes a stanza,
everytime an author writes a chapter,
everytime a comic tells a joke about growing up in an Hispanic home,
everytime a photographer documents an event,
everytime we tell our story we are writing our own history.
This is really what Cemi Underground was all about. -- Luis Cordero, Cemi Underground

Support Cemi's All-Star Extravaganza featuring Los Pleneros de la 21, poets like La Bruja and Mariposa and more.



(Click on image for larger text.)

For more information about Cemi Underground and the Extravaganza event, go to www.cemiunderground.com.

Serrano Presents Purple Heart to Jose Velez-Valentin

Congressman Jose Serrano (at right) recently presented the Purple Heart to Jose Velez-Valentin, a Bronx veteran wounded in the Korean War. Mr. Velez-Valentin had been working to get appropriate recognition for his combat-related injuries from the Defense Department, and ultimately came to Serrano’s office for help. The ceremony last week was the culmination of that work, and a long-overdue acknowledgment of Velez-Valentin’s sacrifice in Korea.

“I was pleased to have been able to help Mr. Velez-Valentin to gain recognition for his service to our country—and the wounds that he suffered as a result,” said Serrano. “Our nation makes a pact with those who serve in the Armed Forces, and part of that pact is making sure that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Today we are honoring the heroic service of a Bronx resident and thanking him for what he did for our nation more than 50 years ago in Korea. On behalf of the Bronx and as a representative of our federal government, I thank him for his service and salute him as a veteran wounded in defense of our nation.”

Jose Velez-Valentin was seriously wounded by artillery fire in Korea on May 29, 1953 while advancing against the enemy. He served in the 14th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division and was discharged as a Corporal, athough he apent time as an Acting Sergeant during the Korean War.

source: Reprint from The Serrano Report; photo courtesy of Serrano's office

Hispanic Panic's Charlie Vazquez talks to PRSUN Radio

Charlie Vazquez is my guest at 9 p.m. Wednesday on PRSUN Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.
Charlie Vazquez is NYC-based writer and blogger. He hosts a monthly reading series called PANIC! (in the East Village), which focuses on unusual and original writing—from erotica to poetry to horror. He is now working on Hispanic PANIC, which willl be held in NYC on May 27. Hispanic Panic is described as "New York City’s only running monthly queer reading series." Host Charlie Vazquez has gathered a roster of Latino literary talent, with an LGBT/feminist slant.
For more, go to my blog at www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio.

(photo courtesy of Charlie Vazquez)

UPDATE

To listen to my interview with Charlie

Boricua pride in the Bronx

Here are some images from today's 21st Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade in the Bronx.






For more of my photos, go to my photo page at http://flickr.com/photos/clarisel. Click on the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade set.

Puerto Rico Sun was there.

A Bronx boricua window

This big Puerto Rican flag is displayed at a window of a South Bronx apartment building. You see it is Puerto Rican parade time in New York City. The Bronx celebrates its Puerto Rican Day Parade today along the Grand Concourse, and the big Puerto Rican Parade in Manhattan is coming up too.

(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

PRSUN Radio is a place for boricua movers and shakers

I am the host of a live Internet broadcast show called “PRSUN Radio” on BlogTalkRadio focusing on themes related to Puerto Ricans and the diaspora. My 30-minute talk show brings boricua movers and shakers “on air” to talk about their new books, shows, projects and more.

The mission of PRSUN Radio, a project of Puerto Rico Sun Communications, is about informing, empowering and building community. I am the producer of PRSUN Radio.

BlogTalkRadio is a social talk-radio network that hosts thousands of shows across all topics, including politics, sports, books, business, entertainment, health, paranormal, comedy and religion.

Archives of my show are found on my profile page www.blogtalkradio.com/prsunradio along with a call-in number, blog and text chat room. Archives of my show can also be heard on MySpace page (www.myspace.com/prsun), blog (www.prsun.blogspot.com) and Puerto Rico Sun social network at (www.puertoricosun.com). Feel free to visit my profile page to learn more about PRSUN Radio.

If you have show ideas, contact me at clarisel (at) puertoricosun.com.

Thank you.

Clarisel Gonzalez
Editor and publisher
Puerto Rico Sun Communications

'When the Spirits Dance Mambo' in El Barrio

On the reading corner



A coming of age memoir by Marta Moreno Vega about growing up Nuyorican in NYC's El Barrio. Meet the author.
(Click on the image to view larger text.)

Editor's Note: "When the Spirits Dance Mambo" is available at the PRSUN aStore, go to

Hit List: The Best of Latino Mystery

On the reading corner

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY! Hit List: The Best of Latino Mystery
This first-ever collection of short mystery fiction by Latino authors

This first-ever collection of short mystery fiction by Latino authors features an intriguing and unpredictable cast of sleuths, murderers and crime victims. Reflecting the authors’—and society’s—preoccupation with identity, self, and territory, the stories run the gamut of the mystery genre, from traditional to noir, from the private investigator to the police procedural, and even a “chick lit” mystery.

New York area contributors include Carlos Hernandez, Ritchie Narvaez, A. E. Roman, Sergio Troncoso, and Steven Torres who will present and sign copies of Hit List.

Edited by Sarah Cortez, Hit List collects for the first time short fiction by many of the Latino authors who have been pioneers in the mystery genre, using it to showcase their unique cultures, neighborhoods and realities. Other contributors include award-winning writers such as Carolina García-Aguilera, Alicia Gaspar de Alba, Rolando Hinojosa, and Manuel Ramos.

The book party is from 6-8 p.m. tonight at the East Harlem Cafe, 1651 Lexington Ave (104th St.), El Barrio. -- Aurora Anaya-Cerda

Aurora Anaya-Cerda is owner of La Casa Azul Bookstore and a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun. For more information on La Casa Azul, go to www.lacasaazulbookstore.com

Que viva Puerto Rico in the Bronx

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. today issues a proclamation commemorating Puerto Rican heritage. The Bronx celebrates its 21st annual Puerto Rican Day Parade along the Grand Concourse this Sunday. Diaz is the parade's Grand Marshal.

For photos of today's events at the Bronx County Building as well as images taken at the parade's festival on Mother's Day, go to my photo site at www.flickr.com/photos/clarisel. Click on my Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade photo set.

(photos by Clarisel Gonzalez)

Resistance in El Barrio

Community calendar

Resistance in El Barrio: Preserving and Building Community' on East Harlem Preservation!

Historic event sponsored by Picture the Homeless this Friday featuring presentation of "Palante, Siempre Palante" by Iris Morales and performance by the Welfare Poets! Check it out!

Time: May 15, 7 to 10 p.m.
Location: Taino Towers, NYC's East Harlem
Organized By: Picture the Homeless/The Welfare Poets

Event Description:
Picture the Homeless and the Welfare Poets will sponsor an evening of documentary film, music, discussion and celebration about the history and current possibilities of resistance to economic and social injustice in El Barrio.

¡PALANTE, SIEMPRE PALANTE! is a documetary film by Iris Morales, about the activities of the Young Lords Party in New York City. In the midst of the African American civil rights struggle, protests to end the Vietnam War and the women’s movement for equality, Puerto Rican and Latino communities fought for the empowerment of their communities. From Chicago streets to the barrios of New York City and other urban centers, young Latinos and Latinas organized the Young Lords in the 1960s and 70s as a militant voice demanding social, economic and political justice for Puerto Ricans, Latino/as and all poor people. This phenomenal film shows the power of grassroots organizing to mobilize an entire community, and provides an inspiring example for future resistance.

This historic cultural event at Taino Towers on the night of May 15 will celebrate community activism in El Barrio past, present, and future. With a screening of Iris Morales’ amazing film about the Young Lords, the Welfare Poets bringing their music and wisdom, and Picture the Homeless leaders sharing the latest about our Housing Not Warehousing Campaign, this promises to be an unforgettable evening.

FREE! A historic cultural event to celebrate community activism in El Barrio -- past, present, and future featuring....

* screening of "Palante, Siempre Palante!" and discussion with the director Iris Morales and veteran Young Lords in-person

* The Welfare Poets: bringing their words & music!

* The Schomburg Collective: speaking about their initiative to unite Puerto Ricans and African Americans to combat the displacement of both communities

* Picture the Homeless leaders sharing the latest about their Housing Not Warehousing Campaign and actions....

source: East Harlem Preservation

MADRE

Poetry of Antonio Camacho Jr.

Touching the sea essence with their noses
old men by the seashore
sails up ... Flags waving good-bye
gulls laughing
Don Coto's face brown and wrinkled
smiles from here to ear,prepares for the voyage
To gather bounty...From the land the sea to see
The coconut trees...leaves rubbing against each other
Waiting for their daily drinks to arrive
The sun plays peek-a-boo with the rolling clouds
of white and blue

Men loading their cargo
Their wives saddened ,tears flowing,nearby laughter
Joselito, Negrita and Tony...chasing down fiddlers by the Mangrooves,oblivious they are...life is just fun and games
Atop the hill...the river flows endlessly
Mi Madre Maria Tomasa...is at the river bed
Washing clothes under the Firey Flamboyan
She's beautiful radiant, black hair, green eyes, strong yet ...
Loving she was... i miss her
My family, Mi familia, My people, me gente,
My culture, mi cultura, mi india Borincana with your music
of...
love,life,and lore
I will never forget you dreams never die...altough years
may pass I shall return ...
just like my
FATHER

Reprinted with permission from Antonio Camacho Jr.