Puerto Ricans (Spanish: Puertorriqueños; Taíno: boricua) are the inhabitants or citizens of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds. As a result, some Puerto Ricans do not treat their nationality as an ethnicity but as a citizenship with various ethnicities and national origins comprising the “Puerto Rican people“.
Despite its multi-ethnic composition, the culture held in common by most Puerto Ricans is referred to as mainstream Puerto Rican culture, a Western culture largely derived from the traditions of Western European migrants, beginning with the early Spanish settlers, along with other Europeans arriving later such as the Corsicans, Irish, Germans and French, along with a strong West African culture which has been influential.
Puerto Ricans commonly refer to themselves as boricuas. “The majority of Puerto Ricans regard themselves as being of mixed Spanish-European descent. Recent DNA sample studies have concluded that the three largest components of the Puerto Rican genetic profile are in fact indigenous Taíno, European, and African”.
i’m proud of where i’m from
i represent the red, white, and blue
no, it’s not america – supposedly home of the free
that’s the place that all i pay is nothing but a fee
i represent the red, white and blue
only difference is that this flag has one star (the only star)
which means i am a superstar
where i’m from, everything that is true, we say “wepa”
when we get pissed, we say “coño”
when we laugh, we say “que estúpido”
when we see beauty, we say “que chula”
when we smell food, it “arroz con pollo” (don’t forget the “pernil”)
when we play, it’s a classic game of dominoes
when we love, it’s always a say of “te quiero”
how can anyone dismiss us like students being dropped off at the school yard without a goodbye
its call undeniable love
so genuinely surreal, we fly high above the clouds with grace like a dove
so always remember, when you see the red, white, and blue
think of the island of Puerto Rico, where we speak from the heart in which all we say are true
“IOTD” is image of the day, a concept I came up with. I teach visual meditative therapy – or in easy terms – a mini mental holiday. For some people it is very difficult for them to get their image right. I post an image a day for people to use in their mini mental vacay. Some are serious, some are silly, and some are just beautiful!”
Orlando Campus
Address: 550 N Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32825
Friday Oct. 23, 2015 – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
“There will be war to the death against all Puerto Ricans.”
–Puerto Rico Chief of Police, E. Francis Riggs-
When it won the Spanish-American War in 1898, the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico as a new “possession.” The American who led the invasion, Gen. Nelson A. Miles, promised “liberty” to Puerto Ricans. He also promised “prosperity” and “the advantages and blessings of enlightened civilization.”
This never occurred.
Puerto Rico was stripped of her land and natural resources by U.S. banking syndicates. By 1934, the theft was so extreme that Puerto Ricans organized an island-wide agricultural strike. In response to this strike the Yale-educated Chief of Police, whose father owned the Riggs National Bank, promised that “there will be war to the death against all Puerto Ricans.”
I lived all my childhood, teenage and early adult years in the Island.
It wasn’t until 1999 that I moved to the United States.
I went to a Catholic private school for all of my schooling. Needless to say, I grew up totally Americanized.
We learned about the history of the Island but nothing like I learned when I first read this book.
It took me 60 years to become fully aware of what has been done to Puerto Rico by “the master”.
Puerto Rico has never been independent .. only for a few days after freeing itself from the claws of the Spanish empire.
After the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico, along with several other nations under Spanish rule, became bounties of war and were handed over to the United States.
But I digress ….
I read the “War” book in total disbelief ….
How could the “greatest country in the world” do these things to another country under their “protection”?
I completed my reading withing three days.
I couldn’t fathom that these things occurred in my country. I was born in 1950 … the year that the “revolution” was squashed by the might of the super-power and the corruption of the local government.
Last night, I had the opportunity to meet the author and thank him personally for taking the band off my eyes and for educating me about the true story of Puerto Rico, my country.
The battled raged back in the 50’s and it’s still raging to this day.
In 1950, after over 50 years of military and colonial rule, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico staged an unsuccessful armed insurrection against the United States. Violence swept through the Island: assassins were sent to kill President Truman, gunfights roared in eight towns, police stations and post offices were burnt down. In order to suppress this uprising, the US Army deployed thousands of troops and bombarded two towns, marking the first time in history that the US government bombed its own citizens.
Nelson A. Denis tells this powerful story through the eyes of the controversial life of Don Pedro Albizu Campos, the president of the Nationalist Party.
Esta versión de La Borinqueña fue interpretada por Ednita Nazario, Ruth Fernández
y Cesar Hernández en un especial de Navidad del Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.
~Himno Verdadero de Puerto Rico~
~Uploaded on Apr 15, 2008~
Himno revolucionario de Puerto Rico
This video was complied to honor the death of another great Puerto Rican Hero .. Filiberto Ojeda. The lyrics are those written to express the feelings behind the colonization of Puerto Rico at the hands of “the master”.
I would like to re-introduce myself to anyone out there who stops by and takes a look at what I post, be it a reblog or a regular post.
This statement can be found in the side bar of the original
“It Is What It Is“
home page.
~HORTY REXACH~
“Dr. Rex”
I’m originally from Puerto Rico.
I was born in Santurce and raised in Rio Piedras.
I currently live in Florida.
I moved from the Island in 1999.
I have a doctorate degree in Medicine; completed in 1976. My Internal Medicine specialty was completed in 1979. Worked for Puerto Rico’s health system until 1985.
At this time, I’m happily retired after working for the federal government for almost 28 years.
I also worked for the government of Puerto Rico from 1979 through 1985 …. for a total of almost 40 years as a physician.
I want to offer any knowledge that I have to anyone “out there” who is interested.
My views are liberal in almost every sense.
My knowledge is “eclectic” – a bit of everything.
Music and reading are my passion.
Blogging has also become a very interesting endeavor. Metaphysical topics attract me.
I’m interested in news – reporting human issues like injustice, discrimination and abuse – the “wrongly” affected.
I want to be a voice for the voiceless.
My intention is to bring this knowledge to an understandable level and to help anyone in need.
I’m open to questions and will answer them to the best of my ability.
Currently working on an enterprise whose main mission will be to bring peoples of all walks of life together.
He was born in the small town of Juncos, on the East coast of Puerto Rico in 1911.
He was the oldest of 11 siblings.
His origins were humble yet he made it and became a productive member of his family of origin and community.
As you can see, he was a dapper, dashing Puerto Rican fellow.
In the early 1930’s, he moved to New York City, like many others like him, in search of a better world and the so famous “American dream”.
He worked at anything that came his way and send funds to his family back home.
His younger brothers became engineers and created The Rexach Construction Company that was well known during the early years of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Most importantly, he married my Mother and started a family of his own.
I saw this video yesterday. It brought many memories back. The scenery surely shows many important and very well known places in Puerto Rico.
The singer is Cuban-born Lissette Alvarez who left Cuba with her parents.
They were very well known in the musical industry.
Lissette followed her parents footsteps and is a very well known singer in the Latino community.
She’s still very active in the music scene.
The video is very well done.
The images show the beauty of Puerto Rico, its progress through time, some of the culture and natural resources.
Puerto Rico isn’t what it’s been made to be … a country in the throes of a bad reputation because it doesn’t pay its bills, because it doesn’t know what it wants to be “when it grows up”, because of rampart crime.
No!
Puerto Rico is a beautiful place which has fought,and continues to fight, to keep its identity, culture, customs, governance.
In spite of all the efforts to strip HER of all of this, the Puerto Rican spirit remains.
Puerto Rico, officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, literally the “Free Associated State of Puerto Rico”), is a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean.
Puerto Rico is an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands. The capital and largest city isSan Juan. The territory does not observe daylight saving time, and its official languages are Spanish, which is predominant, and English.
Puerto Rico’s rich history, warm tropical climate, diverse natural scenery, renowned traditional cuisine and attractive tax incentives make it a popular destination for tourists, academics, and business visitors. Because of its location in the Caribbean and history of colonization, Puerto Rico’s culture is a melting pot of Taíno, Spanish, African and North American influences.
Mayagüez will be the American Capital of Culture 2015
*IT’S OFFICIAL*
This is very important to me.
Even though I was born in the San Juan are, I spent the last twenty years of my life and worked in Mayagüez before moving to the mainland.
This is an incredible honor and an awesome opportunity to expose the goodness, environmental treasures, cultural riches and incredible qualities of Puerto Rico.
La Sultana del Oeste is also American Capital of Culture, a recognition that all shared with Puerto Rico.
“With so many negative news, the country stands with the great news that the world recognizes us as Cultural Capital of the Americas,” said the mayor of Mayaguez, José Guillermo Rodriguez to be informed of the appointment.
The selection was announced by Rodriguez and Secretary of State David Bernier, once the president of the International Bureau of Cultural Capitals (IBOCC), Xavier Tudela, inform them of the decision from Barcelona (Spain). A week ago in Mayagüez Tudela met to evaluate in situ the candidacy of the city.
The IBOCC is an organization based in Barcelona for the first time has decided that this designation is shared by a city and its “country” in this case Puerto Rico.
“With this appointment it is proposed that not only celebrates the cultural capital Mayagüez, but the remaining 77 municipalities of Puerto Rico to adopt the project and integrate the management of disclosure and promotion of cultural and historical heritage of this Caribbean island” IBOCC explained in a statement.
According Tudela, from now Mayagüez and Puerto Rico will receive an outstanding international promotion during 2015, which will hold the title of American Capital of Culture through media such as Antena channel 3 International of Spain and Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic, both official television project.
The American Capital of Culture, created in 1998, aims to promote inter-American integration from the cultural field and contribute to a better understanding between the peoples of the Americas, respecting their national and regional diversity and highlighting heritage while common cultural similarities.
El Abuelo del Genero es un personaje musical interpretado por el comediante y cantautor Melvin Vazquez.
The Grandfather of the Genre is a musical character interpreted by comedian, composer and singer Melvin Vazquez. He comes to us from Puerto Rico.
El Abuelo llega desde la isla del encanto Puerto Rico y tiene como objetivo llevar la diferencia mediante su inigualable estilo jocoso a todos los latinos del mundo. Su primer tema musical El Cha Cu Cu Cha se gano el respeto y la aceptación de miles de sus seguidores los cuales en su primera semana de estreno alcanzo los 50,000 views en YouTube.
El Abuelo nace el 7 de Junio del 1937 en Cidra P.R. y es producto de una familia humilde y trabajadora. Desde pequeño el Abuelo creció con gran pasión por la música y la comedia y desde entonces ha perseguido su gran sueño: llevarle alegría musical a generaciones futuras.
~~GALLERY~~
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Atraído por la música urbana, El Abuelo comienza a estudiar más a fondo los origenes y costumbres de esa cultura dedicándose a la composición e interpretación de temas musicales con estilos jocoso y sociales buscando llamar la atención de los oyentes.
Actualmente el Abuelo del Género es respaldado por miles de seguidores a nivel nacional e internacional.
También cuenta con un espectáculo en vivo muy variado cuyo estilo hará mover a una audiencia que buscan la diferencia con excelencia.
~VIDEO AZUL BLANCA Y COLORÁ~
~Published on Aug 4, 2015~
Colorful, rhythmic and typical video.
A tribute to the Puerto Rican flag … blue white and red .. as well as local customs, events and the culture which define Puerto Rico and its people.
The graphic above describes very simply the economical relationship that exists between Puerto Rico and the United States of America.
Many feel that if Puerto Ricans aren’t happy with their current political, economical situation as well as the relationship with the mainland, why don’t they just leave the “Union“, “if you don’t like it, get out” kind of situation.
It’s much more complicated than that.
To even consider this would be more than terribly simplistic.
The red arrow depicts the monies that Puerto Rico receives from the US. This “aid” includes Pel grants, economic assistance, Medicare, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Social Security (SS), food stamps, etc.
This totals $4 billions + …. would you say it’s a lot of money?
The green arrow depicts the amount of movnes that come from Puerto Rico into the arks of the federal government. This money comes from federal taxes, Merchant Marine quotas, foreign business, ect.
This totals $74 billions + …. how much more does the US receive from than “gives” to the island of Puerto Rico?
Therefore … the answer to the question is: _________________________ .
You fill in the blank.
CABOTAGE LAW .. in Puerto Rico, since 1920!!
“As an ISLAND, Puerto Rico needs to develop its own shipping industry, and conduct its own international trade.
But it is not allowed to do this … thanks to the Law of Cabotage.
Under Section 27 of the U.S. Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (also known as the Jones-Shafroth Act), all goods shipped over water between US ports must be carried on US flag ships that are constructed in the US, owned by US citizens and operated by US citizens. What does this mean?
It means that every product that enters or leaves Puerto Rico, other than highly taxed and severely regulated foreign registry vessels, must be carried on a US ship to and from US ports.
EVERY product that enters or leaves Puerto Rico to U.S. ports must be carried on a U.S. ship — or face highly protectionist tariffs, quotas, taxes and fees that are later passed on to the Puerto Rican consumer. This includes oil from Venezuela, cars from Japan, electronics from China, food from Central America, medicine from Canada — any materials from anywhere.
In order to comply with the Jones Act, all this merchandise must be off-loaded from the original carrier, reloaded onto a U.S. ship and then delivered to Puerto Rico. It all makes as much sense, as digging a hole and filling it up again.”
SOURCE: “War Against All Puerto Ricans” book. Author: Nelson A. Denis
I have posted a few articles about Puerto Rico, my country, recently. After doing so, this book came to my attention and I read it in two days. I am currently re-reading it again.
The events richly detailed, extremely well documented and researched took place before and around the year that I was born.
I’m getting an education about my country now as an older adult.
My eyes are opening to information that I wasn’t aware of.
This is serious, historical facts.
Every Puerto Rican should be aware of them and should take the time to read this book. I’m not blatantly marketing for it. It’s beyond that.
It’s the history of my country …. in the hands of two empires: Spain and the United States.
“There will be war to the death against all Puerto Ricans.”
Puerto Rico Chief of Police, E. Francis Riggs
When it won the Spanish-American War in 1898, the U.S. acquired Puerto Rico as a new “possession.” The American who led the invasion, Gen. Nelson A. Miles, promised “liberty” to Puerto Ricans. He also promised “prosperity” and “the advantages and blessings of enlightened civilization.”
This never occurred. Puerto Rico was stripped of her land and natural resources by U.S. banking syndicates. By 1934, the theft was so extreme that Puerto Ricans organized an island-wide agricultural strike.
In response to this strike the Yale-educated Chief of Police, whose father owned the Riggs National Bank, promised that “there will be war to the death against all Puerto Ricans.”
“IOTD” is image of the day, a concept I came up with. I teach visual meditative therapy – or in easy terms – a mini mental holiday. For some people it is very difficult for them to get their image right. I post an image a day for people to use in their mini mental vacay. Some are serious, some are silly, and some are just beautiful!”’
It Is What It Is 