Anthony Ramos
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IN MY OPINION
By: Anthony Ramos
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Article 37 - Revenge or Closure?
Reader Comments -

Article 24 - The Antichrist Revealed
Reader Comments
Article23 - Multiple Sclerosis
Reader Comments
Article 22 - Should We Pull Out of Iraq Now?
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Article 3 - The Hispanic Man and the Machismo                   Thing.
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Article 2 - Are Puerto Ricans accurately depicted by                    Hollywood?
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Article 1 - "Do I have a Say?"
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Article 19 - We are not Alone
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Article 18 - Are all Hispanics the same?
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May 8, 2011            Revenge or Closure?

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was still living in the Poconos of Pennsylvania and commuting to New York City, where my wife and I worked. For many years, I drove back and forth, and, as you can imagine, the accumulated mileage and wear and tear on my car was disastrous. I remember that day so well because it was going to be one of those end-of-summer, picture-perfect days. The skies were bright blue and there was no humidity whatsoever. Traffic along Interstate 80 was perfect, and since it was the day of my second son's birthday, we were looking forward to celebrating the event later that night.

We never drove into New York City. Instead, we drove to Harrison, New Jersey and took the PATH train into the World Trade Center ("WTC"). I remember arriving at the WTC at 8:15 that morning. At the time, I was a consultant for the New York State Insurance Department, Liquidation Bureau on 123 William Street, about three blocks from the WTC. My wife was working for AIG and her office was further down on Water Street. Everything was normal and routine, and since the weather was so good, my wife and I decided to meet for lunch. Then, in a matter of minutes, our world turned upside down.

About half an hour after arriving at the WTC station, an American Airlines airplane, Flight 11, struck the North Tower of the WTC. I was already sitting at my desk when all of a sudden we all heard an explosion. The sound of the explosion was so deep and frightening, we all thought a truck outside had exploded. Then someone rushed into our office yelling that an airplane had struck the WTC. We all got up from our desks and scrambled to our windows. Unfortunately, our windows were facing south. Some of us dashed across the office to see through the windows facing the north. I stayed in someone else's office watching a small TV. People were confused and disoriented as all kinds of rumors were spreading like wildfire. About fifteen minutes later, we were watching the news reports on TV as massive flames engulfed the North Tower. As we were watching this tragedy unfold, another plane streaked across the TV screen. United Airlines airplane, Flight 175, struck the South Tower. This time, the impact the airplane made against the South Tower shook the office windows, and then . . . all hell broke loose!

We were released from our office, and when I stepped outside, all I saw was a multitude of people. Their eyes reflected nothing but confusion and fear. In that sea of humanity, I saw my wife running across the street toward me. We hugged and kissed each other, and then decided to leave. We met other friends of ours and decided to leave together. I remember standing on Fulton Street looking up at the two towers, hoping those poor people trapped in the burning floors would be saved. Cell phones were not working, service on trains was discontinued and bridges and tunnels were closed for cars. Since our car was parked in Harrison, NJ, we had no idea how we were going to get home. As we watched the towers burn, we saw people jumping off the buildings. It was tough to watch and sad to see their helplessness. Police and Emergency vehicle sirens were blaring constantly, but the most memorable sounds that morning were the beeping sounds of the locator device that the brave firemen were wearing. To this day, my wife cannot hear that beeping sound because it reminds her of that dreadful day. We were anxious to leave but one of our friends decided that she needed to buy flat shoes because she wasn't going to walk with heels. So we waited for her while she went into Conway's on Fulton Street to buy flats. We waited, and waited, and waited until the South Tower collapsed.

We were standing right in the middle of Fulton Street when all of a sudden a stampede of thousands of people roared toward us. We had no choice but to run as well. It was either run or stay and be trampled to death by a stampede. We finally slowed about a block away, but when we turned back to see if our friends were behind us, a thick cloud of white smoke consumed us. It got dark and all you could hear was people screaming, crying, and calling out for their friends. In the midst of that harrowing cloud of asbestos-filled dust and debris, we all managed to find each other and began our walk uptown. We heard that the ferries to New Jersey were still working and that the Port Authority of New York was offering free rides across the river. Thousands of people walked from Lower Manhattan to Midtown Manhattan, thousands more crossed the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and 59th Street bridges to get to Brooklyn or Queens. The most compelling thing about this exodus was the calmness everyone displayed, now that they knew what had happened.

It took us nine hours to get home but my children were grateful that we arrived safely. I told my son that from that day forward, his birthday will always be special. There were many other things that we experienced that day, but it would fill more than ten pages. There were nearly 3000 deaths caused by the September 11, 2001 attacks. The attacks were planned and coordinated by a terrorist Muslim group called Al-Qaeda and led by a man called Osama bin Laden.

In the days following the attacks, our leaders promised they would find Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. For those people who lost their husbands, wives, children, parents and friends, days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months into years. Then, ten years later, on May 2, 2011, we finally received word that Osama bin Laden was killed by a Navy Seal team. The mission, approved by the new president, Barak Obama, was flawless with no American casualties.

That same night, many people gathered at ground zero to celebrate the death of Osama bin Laden. There were many such celebrations across America, but soon afterwards, people began to question whether it was a good idea to celebrate the death of a human being. They wondered whether the mission was an act of revenge or an act to bring closure to the victims of the September 11 attacks. For many, it was revenge and for many it brought a sense of closure, and yet for many it was neither.

Osama bin Laden was a human being, no doubt about that, but he was a Muslim zealot, too, whose distorted views about his religion compelled him into becoming a terrorist. Following the death of their leader, members of Al-Qaeda vowed to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden by threatening more attacks on the United States and her allies. Although I did not personally lose family or friends in the WTC, I was in the middle of all that chaos. I was frightened, confused and angry that day. I thought the world had ended and that anarchy would reign forever. I, too, felt gratified that Osama bin Laden was dead, but I am still haunted by the events of September 11. Many Latino-Americans lost their lives that day, as did many other Americans, foreign nationals and even Muslims. But did Osama bin Laden's death bring closure or was it simply revenge? For me, the death of Osama bin Laden wasn't revenge, but his death did bring a sense of closure. It did not make me feel that the war on terrorism is over, in fact, it has heighted my fear of reprisal attacks from Al Qaeda. However, I do have faith in my government and hope that by now we are a prepared nation, ready to thwart all acts of terrorism.

We should never be caught as unprepared as we were on September 11, 2001. That is my opinion, what is yours? Was it closure for you or was it revenge?

Send your comments to: TonyRamos email

Reader Comments - Article 37 (Revenge or Closure?)

Article 36 - Cries of San Sebastian

MARCH 2011 Hello my dear readers . . . . . It has been a while since my last article, and perhaps you may have wondered why I have not written anything since June of 2010. It's because I've been very busy finalizing my latest book, The Cries of San Sebastián. I am happy to announce that on Friday, March 5, 2011, The Cries of San Sebastián was released by publisher, PublishAmerica, LLP). Below is a synopsis of my book, as it will appear in the press release due out within the next few weeks.

When Rosalía Hernández, the daughter of a powerful and feared Spanish landowner in 1860's Puerto Rico, falls in love with a rebel peasant from the mountains of San Sebastián, she unwittingly becomes the focal point behind her father's hatred toward the Creoles and African slaves. His relentless quest to kill anyone associated with the insurgency will erupt into a fatal confrontation. In The Cries of San Sebastián, Anthony Ramos takes readers on a journey back in time, to colonial Puerto Rico, to examine the age-old hostilities between the poor Creoles and their wealthy Spanish masters.

On a trip to their country estate in San Sebastián, Rosalía soon learns that the world outside the mansion in San Juan is much different from the aristocratic world to which she been accustomed for the first eighteen years of her life. While in San Sebastián, Rosalía becomes a witness to the harsh realities of Puerto Rico's poverty, bigotry and diseases, and during a trip into town, she befriends and later falls in love with Miguel Pítre, a peasant Creole farmer. Soon after their meeting, Miguel takes a huge risk in confiding in Rosalía his rebellious ideals as well as his membership in a revolutionary cell dedicated to the liberation of his country. Determined to overthrow the Spanish government by violent means, Miguel has committed to giving up his life in the war for independence. Caught in the frenzy of a revolution and because of her love for Miguel, Rosalía joins the rebellion, incurring her father's wrath and becoming a victim of his brutal physical abuse. Angered that Rosalía has fallen in love with a peasant and not with a man of his choosing, her father imprisons her in her own home and then sets out to determine whether the rumors of a rebellion are true.

Through spies and paid informants, Rosalía's father confirms that the plans for a peasant revolt are real. Fearing the rebels will bring about the loss of his financial empire, he plots to have the revolutionists arrested and Miguel hanged. As the rebellion moves forward Rosalía's relationship with Miguel blossoms, despite her father's best efforts to thwart her happiness, and she will face a hard decision: whether to leave Miguel and rejoin her family or stay with Miguel and fight against her family and country.

The book is available online only at www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com and through my publisher, www.publishamerica.com. It is available in soft cover and soon will be converted into both Nook and Kindle formats. At the moment, I am working with my publisher to make the book available in stores.

I thank my readers for all the support you have given me. Over the years, we've had good discussions, heated disagreements and funny moments, but, all in all, we've enjoyed a forum that brought about varying numbers of opinions. I would also like to thank Ivonne Figueroa, owner, editor and publisher of El Boricua, for the tremendous support and for the confidence she has had in me all these years. It has been a privilege for me to become a contributing writer at El Boricua, and I am grateful to Ivonne for giving me the opportunity.

In the coming months, I will return to El Boricua with new articles containing new and controversial topics. In the meantime, if you have purchased the book and would like to discuss it with me, I will always make myself available right here at El Boricua . . . my home.

Send your comments to: TonyRamos email

Reader Comments - Article 36 (Cries of San Sebastian)

ARIZONA'S NEW IMMIGRATION LAW

Dateline: June 2010

On April 23, 2010, the Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer, signed into law the controversial Arizona State Senate Bill 1070 ( SB-1070 ). Arizona's passing of SB-1070 ignited a firestorm of protests in the United States, further widening the ideological gap between conservatives and liberals.

As I read the newspapers and watched the controversy of SB-1070 unfold on television s nightly news shows, certain questions kept recurring in my mind. I asked myself: Is it lawful to enter the United States without a visa? Is entering the United States illegally something new; a new violation that required Arizona to pass such a law? Does the federal government have laws against entering the country illegally or does federal law allow for the infiltration of aliens without proper authority? Here then, are the answers: The United States Federal law stipulates that no one can enter the country illegally. Entering the country illegally is nothing new but something, which has been occurring daily since the inception of the United States. Now I asked myself another question: Is entering the State of Arizona illegally a crime in the same manner as that stipulated under federal law? The answer is yes! Then why is there so much controversy over SB-1070? Before answering that question, I would like to explore the root causes that forced Arizona into enacting SB-1070 into law.

For many years, the federal government has employed thousands of agents to patrol the border between Mexico and the US. The border starts in California and runs through the states of New Mexico and Arizona, ending in Texas; an area 1,969 miles wide. In spite of the fact that the U.S. employs nearly 20,000 agents, it cannot completely stop the influx of illegal aliens from Mexico. Federal funds supporting the agency responsible for patrolling the US-Mexican border is in the billions but how effective is the US Border Patrol Agency? Of the nearly two thousand-mile long border, the US Border Patrol s effect covers a mere 700 miles, which leaves about 1200 miles of open and unguarded entry points. In contrast, the border between Canada and the U.S. runs from the States of Washington & Alaska to the State of Maine; a distance of over 5,000 miles! It is interesting to note that the number of border patrol agents covering this massive area is classified. Another point of interest is that the US-Canadian border enjoys a very low measure of security patrol. What does this all mean? It means that the influx of illegal Canadians is regarded as less of a threat than that of illegal Mexicans. It means that the number of Canadians entering the U.S. is significantly lower than that of Mexicans. Why?

Canada is the 10th largest economy in the world. It is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), and it is a member of the G8. Canadians enjoy a strong economy and a quality of life that mirrors that of Americans in the United States. They have no need to cross into the U.S. illegally to find employment or to have a better quality of life. In contrast, Mexico is the 13th largest economy in the world, rebounding from its financial crisis of 1994-1995 when 50% of the population fell below the poverty line. Mexico's economic recovery resulted mainly from the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA, which accounted for 90% of their export business. Mexico is a member of the OECD but is not a member of the G8. Canada's Gross National Product ( GDP ) is $1.3 trillion, while Mexico s GDP is $874 billion. Canada's population is 34.1 million, while Mexico s population is 107.6 million. With a strong economy and a relatively low population, one can see why there is a low level of unemployment, thus a low level of security along the Canadian border. On the other hand, a weaker economy combined with a higher population would account for a higher number of unemployed, causing a higher percentage of illegal entry into the U.S.

Is Arizona in violation of the Constitution of the United States? To answer that question I had to first examine Arizona s Senate Bill 1070. As I read the language of SB-1070, I found that stipulations were made in accordance with and subordinate to federal statutes. I found no language contrary to or supplanting federal law or language that violated civil rights, as I have come to know them in accordance with the U.S. Bill of Rights. If Arizona s SB-1070 is in accordance with and subordinate to federal law regarding illegal immigration, can it still be said that they are in violation of the Constitution? If they are in violation, then it can also be said that federal protocols governing the laws of immigration are also in violation of the Constitution. How then can the current officials elected to administer our federal government raise their noses of morality upon Arizona, when its very own laws support the constitutionality of SB-1070?

To me it comes down to a basic, fundamental question. Is it legal to enter this country, or any other country in the world for that matter, without a visa or without permission from the host nation? The answer to that question is a resounding no. Does the United States or any other country in the world have the right to protect its sovereign domain? Does the United States have the right to exercise its sovereign power to stem the flow of illegal immigration? The answer to those questions is a very clear yes! Personally, I am not opposed to immigration so long as it is lawful. America is the land of opportunity, where the quality of life is arguably the best in the world. America is a place where anyone can become rich if they work hard at it. What I am against is the illegal immigration from either side, whether Mexico or Canada. I should clarify at this point that illegal entry into the U.S. through the Mexican and Canadian borders is not only limited to Mexican or Canadian nationals, but to other foreign nationals from countries such as Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen. Although some Mexicans cross our borders illegally to smuggle drugs, the vast majority of them cross our borders with the honest intention of seeking jobs and a better quality of life. Yet there are others that come from the eastern hemisphere with vastly different intentions. They enter the U.S. with an evil agenda; a definitive plan to do harm to the American way of life, disrupt the economy and wreak as much havoc in order to weaken our nation.

So why is there so much controversy over the passing of Arizona s Senate Bill 1070? Is it because: A) Many illegal aliens will be exposed as a result of enforcing such a law? B) Illegal aliens would rather infiltrate this country rather than go through the legal process of obtaining citizenship? C) Illegal aliens and many decent law-abiding citizens fear that police officers will racially profile them? D) Such law is unconstitutional?

My answers: A) I have no doubt that this new law will definitely expose illegal aliens. The law will not only help an existing federal agency whose ineptitude is on the same level as that of its Commander in Chief, but also will deter unlawful entry into the sovereign state of Arizona. B) Illegal aliens feel safe because the agencies created to combat unlawful immigration, simply do not have the necessary manpower or funds to mobilize into action. Why bother seeking lawful entry into the country when simply crossing the border will suffice? C) Racial profiling is an everyday occurrence in all metropolitan areas of the US; it is nothing new and it is something that Hispanics, Blacks and all people of color are all too familiar with. A police officer requesting proof of citizenship is no more harmful than requesting proof of a driver s license, vehicle registration or insurance card, which is normally done at routine traffic stops. If you have those documents, then you have nothing to fear. D) Arizona's new law is no more unconstitutional than the federal laws that prohibit illegal entry into the United States. To say that Arizona's law is unconstitutional is to say that federal law is unconstitutional. You cannot have one without the other.

It is my opinion that the State of Arizona was forced to enact such a law because the federal agencies designed to prevent illegal immigration have simply failed. These federal agencies represented the front lines in a long-standing war; a front line that has seemingly collapsed. Arizona has had no choice but to fall back and draw its own line of defense, and for this they have incurred the wrath of liberals and left-wing hypocrites who sit on the fence and take no sides except whatever cause suits them that current day. The State of Arizona has incurred the wrath of federally elected officials, which, admittedly, they have not taken the time to even read Senate Bill 1070! I have read all 16 pages of Senate Bill 1070, and have found nothing that would violate civil rights. On the contrary, I have found that Arizona's new law adheres to as is in deference to federal law. It is my opinion that the controversy surrounding Arizona's new law was created by the liberal media and left-wing radicals whose agenda it is to destroy this once beautiful and great nation. That is my opinion, what's yours?

Reader Comments - Article 35

Hugo & Nissa Madrigal write, "First let me say, Feliz Año Nuevo! My wife and I read your opinion on the Arizona immigration debate. We live in the Great state of Texas but were raised in Florida. Our Family is made up of Costa Rican, Mexican, Puerto Rican and European heritage; myself being born in Costa Rica to Mexican/Costa Rican parents. We think your opinion eloquently sums up what many Hispanics in this country are thinking. The media's portrayal of "all Latinos" against Arizona or the Federal government on this law is absurd. The most pointed is your comment about racial profiling, so very true. There is nothing to fear. We must enforce our laws and we must abide by them. Thank you so much for putting this out there. We plan to direct many of our family and friends to your column/article."

Thank you for your comments Hugo and Nissa. It is no great secret that this country is the result of labor produced by immigrants. It began with the Spanish, who began settling in and named the territories of California, Texas and Florida, the English who landed in what is now known as Massachusetts, and colonized what is now known as Virginia, the Dutch who landed in and first settled New Amsterdam (now known as New York), and finally the French, who colonized the territory of Louisiana. The Africans, by no choice of their own, also came to America. Beginning in the mid 1800's and through the early 1900's a great influx of immigrants followed these early pioneers, the Irish during their potato famine, the European Jews, Polish, Italian, Chinese, Russian, and the list goes on and on. The immigration laws were not as stringent then as they are now, and perhaps the ideology of liberty, the dream of wealth and independence, and the promise of non-persecution for religious beliefs were the forces that attracted and drove the immigrants to America. Immigrants today have those same dreams, hopes and beliefs, but the laws concerning immigration have changed. Although the laws were less stringent back then, immigrants still went through a documentation process in Ellis Island and they became United States citizens. The documentation process today is more voluminous and takes a longer time than it did in the 1850's, but the basis still remains the same. The solution is simple: become a legal United States citizen, get a job and pay your taxes.

Ms. Bythe Sanchez writes, "I wanted to chime in on Arizona's new immigration law from the perspective of a Caucasian woman married to a Puerto Rican man. I was happy to read what you and what so many other Latino's and Latina's wrote.

I personally do not feel this is a racist law and it should be enforced on ALL illegal [aliens]. I understand that other countries have big problems and the citizens have no control or power and therefore need to flee. But this is their governments' fault because they have failed to effectively control the problem. None of these problems magically appeared overnight and sometimes these governments need to 'fight fire with fire' in order to protect the good people of that particular country. Pressure needs to be put on these government officials. If all the good Hispanic people flee an area or flea a whole small county, then who is left? The bad guys, and therefore they won and have now been able to take over twice as fast - there is no resistance.

Nobody who is a hard working person likes to see other people who are (illegal or not); hang out in the streets all day, being loud, constantly committing crimes, not working, using the system to receive welfare benefits or disability. All for the simple fact they are lazy and think everyone owes them a hand out. People like the ones I just described are the reason why these laws need to be in place. Now, please don't mistake what I am saying . . . I don't believe that every illegal does those things I just mentioned, but there is no way to figure out the good illegals from the bad ones.

Also, if these laws are not in place it actually creates racism between the races, because it creates tension. This law also protects the Hispanic people who are here legally and work hard. We all pay heavily for illegals (who only come here for handouts and trouble) of all nationalities . . . and one way is taxes and another is government programs. Because when you need a government program and live (especially) in a sanctuary state you cannot get help, because people who don't deserve it are already getting the help.

In closing, if people are here legally, work hard and stay of trouble they have nothing to worry about. But anyone who is so worried about Arizona's new law. . . well...maybe they should be if they or a family member has something to hide."

Thank you for your email Blythe. I agree with your comments, but it is hard for the US to put pressure on these countries without committing funds in one way or another. It always boils down to money. I think that the problem lies in the fact that because there are so many government-funded programs (which take root in the days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration) it has become quite simple for illegal aliens to take advantage. Yes, we are a generous nation, a forthright people who care about the problems of the world. We are a nation that takes pity on the poor and downtrodden, but where do we draw a line? The problem also lies in the fact that our nation's commerce and sphere of influence affords us a first-world lifestyle. We compete with the European Economic Community, China, Japan, Australia and England, to name a few. To sustain such an elitist stature, we have to maintain an aggressive economic posture. Other countries in Central and South America, Africa and Asia are not as fortunate as the United States or simply lack the means to compete with the G8 countries. As a nation, we struggle with conflicting ideologies. How can we claim to be the land of opportunity and live by the credo: "Give me tired, your poor and your huddled masses" but then close our borders to the very same poor people? This is the paradox in which we find ourselves, Blythe; it has pigeon holed the US and there is nothing we can do about it without contradicting ourselves. To me it is quite simple, give us your tired, your poor and your huddled masses, but make sure you come here legally. Become a legal citizen of the United States, get a job and pay your taxes just like every other hard-working American citizen. Please do not come here illegally and demand your share of the American pie as though you are entitled to it.

******************

Ms. Norma Hernandez writes, "My opinion, regarding ALL illegal [immigrants], if stopped for whatever reason by the police, is that they should be deported. Many illegal [immigrants] have come here and obtained citizenship the correct way. Why, tell me why, should Cubans and Mexicans be given a free ride into citizenship when others have had to go through a whole process? What is so special about these people that they should be singled out by the government for a free pass? All I see are illegal Dominicans, Mexicans, etc., having babies from left to right in order to get government assistance. I am born and raised here, my family has fought for this country beginning with civil war and the one time I went for a one-shot deal to help with my rent due to the fact I was unemployed, and I was told no. You have to be working in order to get the help! Well if I were working I wouldn't need to be there! In the meantime, I saw pregnant Mexican women with 3 other kids running around, Dominican women with gold [jewelry], designer clothing, manicured false nails and hair straightening getting assistance. My tax dollars don't help me when I need it, [but] they help these illegal [immigrants] that do not pay into the system to reap the benefits of my sweat and tears. Send them back. Let them go through the immigration process, [and let them wait] the way they should. Just like those illegal Dominicans in Puerto Rico should be sent back. Believe me, they go to New York and drag the Puerto Ricans through the mud. Go home; we have enough problems as it is."

Thank for your comments, Ms. Hernandez. I agree that illegal immigrants should be deported regardless if any of their children were born in the United States. I also agree that many Cubans and Dominicans view Puerto Rico as a stepping stone and gateway from which they can easily enter the United States. I also agree that many of them are poor and come from underprivileged societies but after they arrive here, they have the audacity to, as in your words: "drag the Puerto Ricans through the mud." Once they begin working and start obtaining things that they could never dream of obtaining in their own country, a discernable sense of arrogance forms in their appearance and psyche. They look down upon those who came before them, endured the hardships of bigotry and prejudice, and paved the way for all other Hispanics. Puerto Rico has been a United States territory since 1898 and all Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States. Puerto Rico has benefitted greatly from its association with the United States and we enjoy being CITIZENS of the most powerful county in the world. If that is a source of discomfort to foreign Hispanics (illegal or illegal) well then it's just too damn bad. You weren't here during the 1930's - 1950's, learning to communicate in a foreign language, dealing with a new culture, experiencing bigotry, so please don't come here from whatever third-world country you came from, and look down upon others simply because you now have a job and can afford to buy things. Just remember where you came from and that it was in AMERICA that you were able to get the things you could never dream of having in your country. Please keep that in mind as you make your way to the local "Moneygram" store to send American dollars home.

********

Ms. "Yolirican" writes, "Well as you noticed, Tony, this is a divisive issue. I agree that if a law enforcement official stops you for whatever reason, i.e., speeding, broken tail or brake light, etc., they have the RIGHT, to ask you for your registration, insurance and status. They are not just going to stop you just "because". Something has to be done to thwart the huge influx of illegal immigration. Anyway, bottom line, if you're a legal citizen you would have no objections to comply with the law. If you're not legal then suit yourself. By the same token, most of the immigrants entering this country come in under an "asylum" status. That means, they have free medical and free welfare indefinitely. And these immigrants have nothing to contribute to our welfare because they are very poor and uneducated. Back in the early 1900's our immigrants were British, Italians . . . they contributed to our welfare. The Filipinos I can say (because I work with a bunch of them) mostly have college degrees when they come here. Some come here under a "B" status waiver that it is understood: a family member has to sponsor them and be responsible for their well being before they are allowed into this country. And they speak English, unlike many of the newer immigrants; especially the Ethiopians . . . try understanding them! Also, it's time that the U.S. stops accepting Cuban dissidents and issue immediate political asylum just because most of Florida is populated by Cubans and it's political suicide not to agree with their whining. They should be allowed here just like any other immigrant submitting bona fide papers to INS. Life in Cuba is not as bad as the Miami Cubans like to make us believe it is. They, like all immigrants should go through the same INS process and wait their turn."

Thank for your email Yoly. I agree with you, Yoly. In the late 1800's to early 1900's,shortly following the Irish influx, the incoming wave of non-English-speaking Europeans included, Italians, Polish, Jews, Hungarians, Germans and many other people from different parts of the continent. With the exception of the Irish, these immigrants did not speak English, but they arrived here with knowledge of certain trades that were needed and would later contribute to the growth of this great country. Among these trades were carpentry, iron works, fabric and textile manufacturing. I, too, have worked with Filipinos; they are all educated, hard-working and very patriotic people. Many come here as doctors and business people. They are quiet, unassuming and very religious. It is sad to know that many other immigrants use this "political asylum" thing to get into the country but do nothing to contribute to its growth and well-being. On the contrary, they come here with a sense of entitlement, as though it is their god-given right to demand welfare and medical benefits from its host nation. Imagine something: Your neighbor just asked you to let him stay in your house because he was suffering oppression in his own home. Out of the goodness of your heart, you allow him to stay in your home (you've just granted him political asylum). Three months have gone by and he has not found work. In fact, he is now demanding that you provide him with food and care products for his well-being. What would you do then? Would you feel sorry for him and continue to provide him with food, shelter and care products out of the dollars that you've worked so hard to earn? Or, would you throw him out of your home?

* * * *

Ms. "Yolirican" writes, "Well as you noticed, Tony, this is a divisive issue. I agree that if a law enforcement official stops you for whatever reason, i.e., speeding, broken tail or brake light, etc., they have the RIGHT, to ask you for your registration, insurance and status. They are not just going to stop you just "because". Something has to be done to thwart the huge influx of illegal immigration. Anyway, bottom line, if you're a legal citizen you would have no objections to comply with the law. If you're not legal then suit yourself. By the same token, most of the immigrants entering this country come in under an "asylum" status. That means, they have free medical and free welfare indefinitely. And these immigrants have nothing to IBritish, Italians, etc.; they contributed to our welfare. The Filipinos I can say (because I work with a bunch of them) mostly have college degrees when they come here. Some come here under a "B" status waiver that it is understood: a family member has to sponsor them and be responsible for their well being before they are allowed into this country. And they speak English, unlike many of the newer immigrants; especially the Ethiopians . . . try understanding them! Also, it's time that the U.S. stops accepting Cuban dissidents and issue immediate political asylum just because most of Florida is populated by Cubans and it's political suicide not to agree with their whining. They should be allowed here just like any other immigrant submitting bona fide papers to INS. Life in Cuba is not as bad as the Miami Cubans like to make us believe it is. They, like all immigrants should go through the same INS process and wait their turn." Thank for your email

Yoly. I agree with you, Yoly. In the late 1800's to early 1900's,shortly following the Irish influx, the incoming wave of non-English-speaking Europeans included, Italians, Polish, Jews, Hungarians, Germans and many other people from different parts of the continent. With the exception of the Irish, these immigrants did not speak English, but they arrived here with knowledge of certain trades that were needed and would later contribute to the growth of this great country. Among these trades were carpentry, iron works, fabric and textile manufacturing. I, too, have worked with Filipinos; they are all educated, hard-working and very patriotic people. Many come here as doctors and business people. They are quiet, unassuming and very religious. It is sad to know that many other immigrants use this "political asylum" thing to get into the country but do nothing to contribute to its growth and well-being. On the contrary, they come here with a sense of entitlement, as though it is their god-given right to demand welfare and medical benefits from its host nation. Imagine something: Your neighbor just asked you to let him stay in your house because he was suffering oppression in his own home. Out of the goodness of your heart, you allow him to stay in your home (you've just granted him political asylum). Three months have gone by and he has not found work. In fact, he is now demanding that you provide him with food and care products for his well-being. What would you do then? Would you feel sorry for him and continue to provide him with food, shelter and care products out of the dollars that you've worked so hard to earn? Or, would you throw him out of your home?

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Yolyrican writes, "Hi Tony-it's great to post my opinion here regarding this hotly debated issue with Arizona's immigration laws. Bottom line: the Mexicans don't seem to understand the underlying issues here. WE, are not anti-immigration like a lot of people, organizations (i.e., LULAC, etc) accuse us legal Americans of. How can this country turn the other cheek to illegals? I really don't give a damn they come here to "seek a better life for their families", etc. Go cry to someone else! If we went to Mexico and tried to sneak in illegally, we'd be persecuted just like any other criminal and believe me, the Mexican authorities and jail system are almost as bad as Peru's! Many citizens in Arizona, especially ranchers and people who own and live off their land are simply fed up to have/see a myriad of Mexican citizens illegally cross their lands day in and day out without having the back up of the federal government. So I applaud the governor of Arizona for standing up to her state and telling the hypocrites in Washington that enough is enough! They don't enforce the federal laws that are supposed to protect our border states, so if a governor from one of the border states enacts a new law concerning this illegal immigration issue, because they are fed up and tired of not getting help from the Feds, then so be it!! But . . . Mexicans living here in the US see this as . . . let's see . . ."anti-immigration, "phobic" . . ."racist"...........blah, blah, blah!! Frankly, I'm tired of the US trying to be the "dumping ground" of all these other countries just because back in the 1800's we had a slogan that said, "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" when the Statue of Liberty was erected in NY. But . . . that was then, this is now. And NOW . . . everybody wants to come here regardless. So I ask you all . . . is the USA supposed to just open their borders to just anyone without regards for legal/social ramifications and the effect these diasporas will have on our society present and future? Hey, I'm all for legal immigration, however, I beg to differ when it comes to "illegal immigration", be it from Mexicans, Canadians, Ethiopians (who seem to come in by the thousands here in San Diego), etc. I have many Mexican friends and I love them all. However, this is my Country and I do not agree with the "free for all" mentality . . . legal or not!"

Thank you for your email Yoly. I agree. Why should we feel sorry for someone who has illegally entered the country, then asks for welfare and free medical benefits with a sense of entitlement? Why? Why should our hard earned money pay for programs dedicated to assist these law breakers? Why? Is it because the left wing, liberal, bleeding hearts in Washington think it is the moral and decent thing to do? Is it because we are so afraid to against the ideologies and agendas set forth by the American Civil Liberties Union, a notorious left wing organization? What about us, our families, why can't those benefits, which are funded from our taxed dollars, go towards our benefit? Is it because our incomes and financial positions are greater than those of the illegal aliens, and therefore we can afford such expenses without government assistance? Bull s _ _ _! When are we going to wake up America? When are we going realize that the liberals are going to destroy this country? When? Maybe never!

Roberto Barreto writes, "I have lived in the US for the past 32 years. I have made many friends from other countries some with papers and some without papers. I have also helped some of them get their papers and become legal in this country. The problem with the immigration law is not only the lack of enforcement of it but also the application of the requirements for entry as controlled by the State Department.

Many people come into this country illegally because they have no other choice, it has been happening forever. The government has programs that are specifically designed to keep people from certain countries out and allow people from others in. You have countries that are allowed a number of people in annually while others have to have their people wait as much as 10 years for legal entry and then on top of that they only have a limited number of entry visas that are granted annually. If I have a brother that I pledged to help settle in once he is in the country, why does he have to wait 10 years to get his visa? If the government would level the playing field on entry requirements across the board and controlled the borders better, there would be less of a problem.

As for Arizona, they have been forced by a government that refuses to act and refuses to enforce immigration laws as they are in the books right now. When you have a politician tell Arizona that your law will affect how the Federal government enforces immigration law what he is really saying is "Your law will prevent me from conducting business as usual". They know that this issue is political suicide for both sides on election year and neither wants the hot potato on their hands.

Lack of action is not a fix, a massive wall is not a fix, and Arizona's paper checking law is also not a fix. The only fix is the application and enforcement of the laws that already exist in the books. Immigration reform is needed but is needed at the top."

Thank you for your email Mr. Barreto. While I understand your sentiments, I should remind you that Hispanics have now become the most populous minority in the United States, whether legal or illegal. In 2007, the Hispanic population in the United States was 44,300,000 or roughly 15% of the total US population. Based on these numbers, one can certainly understand why the United States Department of Immigration might want to slow down the Hispanic influx and favor applicants from other countries. So what's wrong with that decision? Nothing. Foreign applicants (other than Hispanics) might have special education, skills and talents that would contribute favorably to US society; among these are surgeons, engineers, chemists, astronomers, geologists, nuclear and astrophysicists, and so on. Why should Hispanics have immigration preference over other foreigners who have the same dreams, the same values and the same hopes as they do? Please do not misconstrue what I am saying here. There are many Hispanics with the same education and talents that are just as welcomed here in the United States. However, I am of the opinion that entry by foreigners (whether Hispanics or not) into the United States ought to be through legal means, and if there is a ten-year waiting period, then so be it. I think there is nothing wrong with the immigration laws and there shouldn't be any kinds of reform to such laws. I also think that the US cannot make the playing field any more level than it already is. However, I do feel that immigrations laws are not being properly enforced.

Sylvester Pirulo writes, "You are absolutely correct, Tony. But many Hispanics here state side feel differently and make it a racial issue. Nice site Tony I came across it looking for a guayadora para pasteles with no luck."

Thank you for your email Sylvester. If we just look at it from a legal standpoint and interpret the language without preconceived ideologies, then it makes sense. However, as you stated, many Hispanics are misconstruing the meaning of SB-1070's language. They see what they want to see and they hear what they want to hear. Now, regarding your quest for a "guayo", you must come down to Brooklyn, NY. On Moore Street, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, there is a "marketa", where you can buy the machines that grate bananas. Trust me, these machines make life simple. Or, you can buy an old style "guayo" and grate the bananas one by one. Either way, you can get it there. In fact you can get anything at the "marketa", even all the ingredients for "sofrito". Hope this helps!

Ms. Jennifer Perez writes, "I read this article and I found it very disheartening that no other Latinos have commented about this issue. I think that the governor of Arizona should be ashamed of herself for passing such a law it is very racist, and an invasion of privacy no one should be allowed to just come to someone and ask them if they're an American citizen without probable cause. So what if a person has dark eyes, olive skin, etc. they have Hispanic features but they could probably been born and raised in Arizona and are Mexican-American just like there are people here who are considered Nuyoricans. Not everyone carries around a green card, passport or any other proof of citizenship in their wallets, so if a person doesn't produce this I'm wondering can they be arrested? Arizona is a state it is not their own country and they don't have the right to make a law like this the immigration laws are made by the federal government agency INS not the state of Arizona themselves. I also notice a very heavy anti-immigrant sentiment lately like all the causes of this country's problems people are very quick to blame the immigrants and claim that they are taking away this country's job which I think is ridiculous. I know a lot of people who have come here and have immigration issues and they're not criminals, they simply are people who want to come here and give their families a better life, they're poor but they do the jobs that no one here wants to do or feels they're too good to do. Whether we are Latinos born here or Mexican-American, Nuyorican, etc. we should support the Latinos who need citizenship and not discriminate and be mean toward them. I think there always be a problem of immigration until the federal government comes up with a reasonable way to make people US citizens maybe the problem will alleviate itself maybe it won't but I know the current system isn't working so there has to be a better alternative."

Thank you for your email Ms. Perez and thank you for being the first Hispanic to post your comments regarding this article. Should Governor Brewer be ashamed of herself for passing such a law? Let us analyze this. First off, the government of the State of Arizona is comprised of people elected by its population. Second, Arizona's legislature is bicameral, as it is with every other state (with the exception of Nebraska), including New York. A bicameral government consists of a 30-member Senate and a 60-member House of Representatives. Collectively, this elected legislative body is responsible for passing law in Arizona; it is not the responsibility of only one person.

Although Arizona is member state of the United States of America, it has certain sovereign power as a state. You must understand that every state has its own laws; laws that vary from state to state and which may not necessarily be embraced by the Federal government. This country was founded upon the ideals that the individual state was responsible for its own people and laws. That initial foundation was comprised of 13 states that because of their desire to become independent created a central government for their collective representation. At some point in time during the past two hundred years, that ideal was corrupted in favor of a stronger central government; a government that withholds Federal monies from the states and uses it as leverage in order to force them to conform with a central plan. The strength given to the central government has increased over the past two centuries and has forced all of the states to become dependent on Federal dollars. This malignant dependency has compelled many states to go along with Federal edicts in order to obtain such funds.

Arizona's law does not allow for any police officer to simply walk up to someone and demand to see papers. On the contrary, it is based upon probable cause. As I mentioned in my article, if you are stopped for a routine traffic violation, do you not have to produce a valid driver's license, a valid registration and a valid proof of insurance? Is it an inconvenience? Yes, especially when all your documents are valid. If Arizona's police departments add one more document to that list, and if you have a valid green card, why would you refuse to show it to them? Let us think for a moment. Let's say you are a Mexican national, or any other foreign national, and that you went through the documentation process, and waited for many years to obtain LEGAL citizenship in the US, how would you feel about others who cheated by entering this country illegally? Is it fair to you? No! As a foreigner, you had a dream to come to America, to become a legal citizen and live a better life. You chose to apply for citizenship, went through the legal process and then became a legal member of our society. Let us not diminish your hard work or insult your honorable intentions by feeling sorry for illegal immigrants. Instead, let us applaud those who come here legally and become responsible members of American society.

Let us now focus on the job issue. It is not the fact that they "taking jobs away" or the fact that they are "doing jobs that Americans are too proud to do". It is the simple fact that because of their illegal entry, they pay NO TAXES. They work off the books because they possess no social security number. So I beg to ask the question again: is it fair to legal immigrants who are working and paying their share of taxes? NO! If Arizona has enacted the immigration law it is because they were compelled to do so because OUR own Federal government has not addressed the issue in a mutually satisfactory manner. As a Hispanic myself, I do feel for my fellow Hispanics-my fellow legal Hispanics, that is. I respect their dreams; I respect their efforts to become legal citizens, and I admire the fact that they have become hard-working tax payers. I do not respect immigrants who come here illegally, for they have cheated the system and then have the audacity to claim hardship with a sense of entitlement. Am I supposed to pay for their medical benefits because some bleeding heart liberal thinks it is the right thing to do? Are my tax dollars, for which I have produced with the sweat of my brow, going to a welfare system that pays for an illegal's food and shelter? I ask you again: is it fair?

In your final statement you say that there must be an alternative because the current Federal system isn't working. You are 100% correct. The alternative is Arizona's new law and I hope that Texas and New Mexico follow suit. As for California, there is no hope there because it is too much of a liberal state, with many bleeding hearts.

DEATH AND REUNIONS

February 2010 - I come from a large family. My grandmother had four daughters and four sons, and so I had four uncles and three aunts. As you can imagine, with so many uncles and aunts, I also had many cousins. Just recently my third uncle passed away, leaving only one left  the youngest. The wake was held in Brooklyn, NY, and was attended by my aunts and by many of my cousins. My surviving uncle, for health reasons, was unable to attend, and we missed him greatly.

At one time, way back in the day (1950 s-1970 s), we all lived closely together. Some of us had apartments in the same building, and some us lived a few blocks down the same street. We all went to the same schools and the same church, and we all gathered at grandma s house on Sundays. As we grew older, many of us branched out, either through marriage, or because of our work or careers, or the desire to leave the confines of our original nest.

We eventually grew up, married, had children and some of us even became grandparents. The ensuing years, saw the older generations, become older, and our family s matriarch pass away. It was at Grandmother s wake that the last massive gathering of the family took place. Over the past two years, three of my uncles have passed away and it seems that the only times we see each other is at these saddened and tearful wakes. I think we can all agree that these events are not the ideal places to socialize, but, we do anyway. There was a lot of hugging and kissing, and through those heartfelt expressions, I could feel the strong love and bond that defines our family. The emotions were palpable, tangible, like a warm quilt that you snuggle into when it s cold outside

A few of us cousins complained about the same thing and kicked around the idea about a family reunion without it being attached to a death. Then, all of a sudden, the idea gained momentum until there was serious talk about an actual family reunion. I ve always been daunted at the idea of coordinating such kinds of events. The logistics involved in getting a reunion off the ground are monumental; such as contacting hundreds of people to create a list of family members, choosing a place that everyone will agree on, and finally coming up with the funds necessary to make the event happen. Fortunately, there were many cousins that took up the challenge and have come through with flying colors. We have approximately 300-325 family members of which 150-175 will make the effort to attend. The event will take place in July 2010, at a park in Long Island, which will include barbecue pits, children s playground, carousel, baseball diamond, volley ball court, and a pavilion in case it rains. Family members will be coming from Puerto Rico, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York City.

I will be meeting many of my second and third cousins for the first time, and look forward to the event with excitement, giddiness, and with a good measure of love. I don t know how the event will turn out and I don t know if we could pull it off again one or two years later, but I am certainly going to enjoy it even if it only happens once. I also plan to share my reunion story with my readers. By the same token, I am certain that many of my readers out there have had family reunions, and I invite all of you to share stories of your reunions with us at El Boricua.

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments - Article 34

THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN
December 20, 2009

It is that time of year again. The time of year when shopping, wrapping and the joy gift giving fills our hearts with joy. It is a time to remember those individuals who stood out during the year. It is a time to remember the brother, who helped you out with money when you needed it. It is a time to remember the sister who was always there to listen to your complaints about life s miseries, or babysat your children on the days when you had to work late and could not find anyone to help you. It is a time to remember the father, who gave you advice on purchasing your first home. It could be your mother, who cooked for you on more nights than you can remember. It could be your wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, personal friend, mailman, beautician; the list goes on and on. For me, that special person is my wife, Annie. Annie is the light of my heart, the engine that keeps me going whenever I stall in despair. Without her my life is incomplete and chaotic. Without her I feel empty. And after thirty years of marriage I still love her with all of my heart! Merry Christmas, honey!

I would like to thank all of El Boricua s readers for contributing to In My Opinion . We ve had many good arguments and discussions ranging from Politics, to Religion, to Cock-Fighting, and many other worthwhile themes. A very special thank you  goes out to Ms. Ivonne Figueroa, publisher of El Boricua for her support and wisdom. I wish Ivonne and everyone at El Boricua a very Merry Christmas!

It is also the time of year when New Year s resolutions are made, a time to wipe the slate clean, a time to forgive those who offended you or to apologize to those whom you offended. For me, it is the same thing every year. QUIT SMOKING! This year will be no different; I will try to quit . . . yet one more time! I am open to suggestions, my dear readers; anything that could help me quit smoking. If you have quit smoking and have remained a non-smoker for more than a year, then I would like to congratulate you and ask how you did it.

I plan to quit right after the holidays, because I do not want to interrupt my lifestyle just yet. There are a lot of things I need to do before quitting. Before quitting, I must first indulge in certain gastronomical excesses such as pernil, ron, arroz con gandules, ron, pavo asado, ron, pasteles, ron, and flan. I also need to indulge in mass quantities of ron.

These are my reflections, what are yours? What person in your life stood out so much this year that you would like to personally acknowledge or give a special thank you  to on El Boricua? What is your New Year s resolution? How will that resolution help you on a physical or psychological basis? With Ivonne s blessings, I would like to publish all of your acknowledgments as well as New Year s resolutions.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments - Article 33

Manny Velazquez writes,

Saludos desde Houston, TX. Primera vez que visito el magazine (spanglish, estilo criollo). I too share the resolution to quit smoking this New Year, amongst others. Like you I have not quit yet but I've slowed down considerably, which is also good. Just like you, I had to partake from the sinfulness of pernil, ron, arroz con gandules, ron, pavo asado, ron, pasteles, ron, and flan. And to round it all up, indulge in mass quantities of ron . The more things remain the same, the more they change. By doing this very traditional way of celebrating, a surprising thing happened. I "remembered where I come from, who I am, always been and always will be". And all these cultural connections began to activate themselves. In the last week alone I've been in more contact with other Puerto Ricans, from here, abroad and en la Isla, than I had in the last couple of years.

I find myself involved in art and design projects with other Puerto Ricans in business and civic events, local and across. I look around and see a lot of activities that went unnoticed for a while. A whole re-connection with our very unique flow of energy y me siento bien contento de eso. I just found (again, re-discovery) El Boricua and felt the need to read the articles that jumped the most and am glad I did. Just wanted to say thank you for the effort of you all [at El Boricua] in having a way for some of us "expatriados" to re-connect to our roots. I'm copying some recipes "p'al proximo bembé" with neighbors. Keep up the good work pana. Saludos y abrazos fraternos 

Thank you for your email Mr. Velazquez. I spent four weeks in Houston a few years back lovely city! I went around the Loop a few times before finding my way back to the hotel; it was quite an experience. I find it a great comfort when I read about people re-connecting with their ethnic heritage. Though we live in the best country in the world, and though we have made this wonderful country our home, a part of us still remains connected to that beautiful island in the Caribbean; the island of enchantment, the island we call Borinquen. I am also glad that El Boricua has reached fellow Puerto Ricans in Houston and as far away as Hawaii and even Europe. We at El Boricua strive to present the best Puerto Rican image possible, to represent our people in best way that we can and to keep our Puerto Rican family connected. Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Velazquez, and please feel free to comment on any of the previous In My Opinion  articles or any other articles appearing on El Boricua.

August 15, 2009
SONIA MARIA SOTOMAYOR: A NUYORICAN BECOMES A US SUPREME COURT JUDGE
Presidential legacies can have a positive or negative effect on our futures, depending on your point of view. Some Presidents leave office amidst a strong, thriving economy while some leave office with a country in near economic ruin. They can leave office with the country either at the brink of war or at peace with the world. Among the many legacies of a United States President is the nomination of a judge to serve in the capacity of a United States Supreme Court Justice. For our current president, Barak Obama, that nomination went out to Sonia Maria Sotomayor, a Puerto-Rican American, born in the Bronx, New York City and our very own Nuyorican.

Why is the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice by a President so important? The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the country; there is none higher. The US Supreme Court is where all cases involving legal precedents are heard by nine judges. The cases, adjudicated by these nine learned people, test the language, meaning and intent of the US Constitution. Some cases will test the limits of our reason, morality, faith, and other treasured virtues. Although the decisions made by these nine US Supreme Court Justices do not make policy for individual Americans, they clearly send a message as to how certain philosophical, religious, civil and moral views will be judged. How can nine judges perform this monumental task without compromising their own philosophical, religious, civil and moral views? How can they adjudicate high-profile cases with objectivity and with absolute integrity for the pureness of law?

It is nearly impossible to judge a case without injecting one s personal beliefs and moral values. That is why there are nine judges; because they do not necessarily agree on every issue. Presidents with liberal points of view, often tend to nominate liberal judges, while conservative presidents tend to nominate conservative judges. A liberal majority of judges might be more sympathetic to liberal causes, while a conservative majority may favor conservative issues.

The Honorable Sonia Maria Sotomayor confronted strong opposition from conservative Senators. They sighted her liberal decisions on various cases where she presided as judge, and quoted some of her earlier speeches wherein she claimed, I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn t lived that life.  I will not comment on Judge Sotomayor s remarks, only to reiterate what I said earlier. It is nearly impossible to judge a case in the pure sense of the law without injecting one s own personal philosophies. As you all well know, I am a conservative, always have been and I guess I will always be. I fear that a liberal majority in our US Supreme Court will direct our nation towards the left, and send us down a path that may ultimately destroy what s left of our moral, civil and religious virtues.

So what are the differences between liberals and conservatives? There are so many, that I will not go into details. I will, however, refer you to an Article written by S.L. Bradish, appearing in the website: www.associatedcontent.com , wherein he outlines the fundamental differences between these two schools of thought. Please read this article before you respond with your opinions.

As a Puerto Rican-American, and a Nuyorican, I am very proud to have one of my own sitting on the bench in the highest court of the land! The Honorable Sonia Maria Sotomayor is a living testament to the notion that anyone can succeed in this great country of ours if he or she wishes to do so. Granted, her road to the US Supreme Court was not an easy one, and she sacrificed many things, but the reward for those sacrifices was great.

Sonia Maria Sotomayor is an inspiration not only to Puerto Rican-Americans, but to all our Hispanic brothers and sisters. Her success should be viewed as a beacon of light for all minorities trudging in the darkness of poverty and despair. It should be a message to our Latino brothers and sisters that all they need to do is apply themselves, and free themselves of all stereotypes and inferiority complexes. Ms. Sotomayor, we are all very proud of you! My only lament is that you are a liberal. I will be looking in on Ms. Sotomayor s decisions and will comment in later articles.

Let s talk media now, hmm, my favorite subject. Did you notice how the leftist media handled the Sotomayor nomination? Kid gloves all the way! Nothing Obama does will ever get the media to cast a bad light on him. Let us not talk about the fact that Mr. Obama is slowly converting our country into a socialist republic. The US government now owns stakes in banks, insurance companies, etc. President Obama is slowly nationalizing these financial institutions, entities that once enjoyed free enterprise in a capitalistic America. Wake up people! Beware! Health Coverage is next! No mention of this is made by the media who still adores him. They mislead you into thinking Obama is the messiah, the one who will turn this country around. But is he truly turning the country around? It pains me to see how blindly we believe our newspapers or accept TV news as the absolute truth! Let him who has an ear, listen. Let him who has an eye, see. . . 

That . . . is my opinion, what is yours? As a Puerto Rican American or a Hispanic-American, what impact do you think Ms. Sotomayor s decisions as a US Supreme Court justice will have on you or Hispanics? How has Ms. Sotomayor s rise to one of the top spots in our country s judicial system impacted your life and philosophical views?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments - Article 32

President Barak Obama and the Question of Puerto Rico s Future

January 25, 2009 - Earlier this month, President Barak Obama wrote a letter to the newly elected governor of Puerto Rico, Mr. Luis Fortuño, promising to address and resolve the issue of Puerto Rico s political status. President Obama told the new governor that his administration has set out an ambitious agenda over the next four years.  Our new president also stated that, It will not be easy to accomplish. But we cannot sit back and wait for someone else, at some other time, to do something about it.  This letter was read aloud during Governor Luis Fortuño s inauguration, on January 2, 2009, and it was received with an ovation.

Not to dampen the high political spirits of the new Puerto Rican administration, but I have heard this kind of promise before from many of Obama s predecessors, and cannot help but to regard it as nothing more than political rhetoric. My opinion notwithstanding, I must pose the following questions: just how ambitious is Obama s plan for Puerto Rico, and why does he feel it will not be easy to accomplish? Some time ago, I wrote an article addressing this very same issue, Article #8  The Question of Puerto Rico s Future: Commonwealth, Statehood or Independence. You might want to read that article before continuing with this one.

There have been three referendums in Puerto Rico, and, to date, the pro-statehood and pro commonwealth proponents are running neck and neck. We can interpret the referendum results as an island divided by two schools of thought with no clear majority in either way. So why is it an ambitious plan? Why will it be difficult to accomplish? By ambitious, does President Obama feel that he must win an uphill battle against a congress opposed to change? Is the uphill battle against the islanders themselves? Is it a difficult goal to accomplish because he must convince the American people that we no longer need a colony in the Caribbean in order to keep watch on Cuba? Just who is pushing this issue forward? Is it the Puerto Rican people or is it America?

It seems to me that our congressional leaders have always had the power to act quickly, though only on matters of high importance, where national security is at stake. Since Puerto Rico s future does not affect our national security, it is, therefore, not an important issue to our congressional leaders. Is this perhaps the reason why it has been dragging on for many years? Is this what President Obama refers to as difficult to accomplish? Obviously, legislature of this kind must be clearly defined and written in language satisfactory to the wishes of President Obama and that of the Puerto Rican people whatever political future a fourth referendum reveals.

At the same time however, it seems clear to me that the results of the three referendums in Puerto Rico have spoken volumes thus far. The people of Puerto Rico are undecided! If Puerto Rico were to have a fourth referendum today, which political future would win? Will it take all four years of President Obamas term to accomplish a definitive future for Puerto Rico? Is President Obama s letter to Governor Luis Fortuño just political rhetoric or is it a valid promise backed up by action? It is my firm opinion that a fourth referendum must result in a clear majority, whatever future that may be. Unless Puerto Ricans clearly decide what future they want, President Barak Obama and his ambitious plan cannot help them. That is my opinion, so what is yours?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments - Article 31

Teresa Jimenez (Seattle, WA) writes,
This website is new to me, but I wanted to state my opinion and say that I am a proud Puerto Rican and proud to have Obama as our President. You sound like you are not pleased with him [Obama], and all he is trying to do, considering that he DIDN'T put us here...remember? It was "BUSH" or how soon do we forget. He [Obama] is not a socialist, and if he wants to stimulate the USA and that thereof, what s wrong with that? We need it and as far as us not seeing it, come on people it took "BUSH" 8 years to get us here...everybody is complaining but has anybody ever heard that the power of LIFE and DEATH are in the TONGUE and has anybody ever heard of PRAYER? Oh wait, I'm sorry, this is probably the complaint hotline. What's going on people? Have we nothing better to do than to speak ill of the living and our leader for that matter. As far as Puerto Rico becoming independent or a state it might happen but this has been a tug-a-war since even when my mom was a kid and she was born a raised in Puerto Rico in '34 died in '07 and it is still an on going matter. let's give Obama longer than 6 months or even 4 years, and also as long as we are spending millions each day on the war, which I might remind you that "BUSH" started let's get into the solution people and stop complaining. 

Thank you for your email Ms. Jimenez. You state in your email that I sound like I am not pleased with Obama. Frankly, I thought I made it absolutely clear that I wasn t pleased at all. To crystallize my opinion, so that all of El Boricua s readers (including you, Teresa) may know, it is with Mr. Obama s politics that I have not found any favor. As I do not know the man on a personal level, I cannot comment in that regard. Now I will comment on your sentiments regarding George Bush. Mr. Bush sent troops to Iraq and Afghanistan with the consensus of world government and with the approval of congress. Contrary to what you may think, George Bush was not a tyrant who acted selfishly and made arbitrary decisions. Mr. Bush acted diplomatically while coping with the fact that more than 2000 lives were lost during the 9-11 attacks on US soil. I sincerely hope that you have not forgotten that terrible day. I certainly have not because I was there on William Street and Fulton Street, looking up at two burning towers right before one of them crumbled and covered me with white dust. Mr. Bush s efforts resulted in the apprehension and trial of Saddam Hussein, whose regime harbored and allowed for the training of Al Qaeda terrorist. His efforts also resulted in the removal of the repressive Taliban, who beat women publically and at gun-point forced the population to submit to a medieval form of Islam. Mr. Bush, like many of us Americans, believes in one of the most revered tenets of the United States of America, and that is free enterprise; the right to make profit freely without encumbrances or intrusion of government. Other tenets of our beloved country are individuality and the pursuit of happiness. Mr. Bush did not seek to control banks, insurance companies or medical health plans, as Mr. Obama has clearly done, but instead he left his constituency do what it does best and what is expected in a capitalistic society.

Socialism is government control. Socialism is the government telling you what insurance you should have, what car you should own, how much money you should have. Socialism falls into the abysmal depths of bureaucracy where the machinery grinds to a halt, as with ACORN. Mr. Obama has an agenda and that agenda will bring our beloved nation to the brink of disaster. I am sure that many white liberal Americans felt good about themselves when they voted for Mr. Obama. I m sure they thought they were being noble in voting for the first African-American man as President of the Untied States. They probably felt good that they partook in an historic event. Not once did any of them stop to look into the man s politics or take the time to know his past. They simply voted because it was a noble thing, perhaps . . . even because it was a novel idea. Who knows?
Regarding Puerto Rico s future, I think I have already spoken my mind on numerous articles and email rebuttals.

On a final note, it has been almost one year and I have yet to see any of Mr. Obama s accomplishments. Then again, as you said, there are three more years remaining. I hope there is a country left after those three years.

Mr. Angel Pla writes,

I cannot understand how you can make this claim. The data clearly reflects that the majority of Puerto Ricans in the Island prefer the Commonwealth status we have now, with strong support for statehood. Most Puerto Ricans, at least those who participated in the referendums, do not see independence as a viable solution to the status question. All recent Presidents of the United States claim that the status decision is for Puerto Ricans to decide. Although this is laudable, the reality is that those statements just attempt to buy votes from the Puerto Rican communities in the States, and to a lesser degree in the Island. The bottom line is that the United States is a nation of law and as such, in accordance with Public Law 600 the final solution to the status question for the Island rests in the Congress of the United States of America. 

Thank you for your email Mr. Pla. My opinion remains the same: Puerto Rico is an island divided. Why do I say that? The data results from the three referendums clearly shows a gap of less than 4% between the preponderant choice of Pro-Commonwealth and the up and coming choice of Pro-Statehood. Although you are correct that Commonwealth status remains the popular choice, I think that in time, as newer generations become the dominant force at the polls and at every government level, Pro-Statehood will become the island s choice. Through attrition, the older generations will fade into history and the new generations will take up the mantle for Puerto Rico s future. Though I am hesitant to say that statehood is Puerto Rico s best destiny and most likely their inevitable future, there is strong indication that there isn t much of a choice otherwise. Perhaps you may be right: the final solution does rest in the hands of the United States Congress.

Reader Comments, Article 31

Ruben writes,

I, like you, a conservative, believe that Obama's administration can be a good thing for Puerto Rico since he is a socialist and socialists like to give hand-outs like the island is so use to receiving. Of course, the hand-outs are not free from a socialist administration; they will take something in return. What would they want in return is difficult to pinpoint. I differ from you on the point that I do not have to give Obama a chance to prove me wrong; he already has. The damage this president is doing and will do to this nation will devastate us and more so our beloved island. It is time people wake up and see that Obama is going on the wrong path. Our lives, liberties and the pursuits of happiness hang in the balance. People need to get off the bandwagon and see things for what they are. We need to fire this president and the sooner the better. 

Thank you for your email Ruben. It is sad to read your comments regarding the island being so used to receiving hand-outs. I guess we cannot deny it, right? Maybe they need to get off the hand-out bandwagon and start thinking and living independently, right Ruben? It might be easier to say than to do. As a commonwealth of the United States, the island of Puerto Rico is dependent on the mainland. One more thing, Ruben, in what manner does Obama s socialist  views devastate the Puerto Rican people? I have my own opinion but what is yours? Now, regarding Mr. Obama, I couldn t agree with you more. I have yet to see how this huge stimulus package has resolved our nation s economic woes. Frankly, I don t know where all the money is or where it is going. Well, enough about that. Ruben, in what manner does Obama s socialist  views devastate the Puerto Rican people? I have my own opinion but what is yours?

Obama, A New Page in American History is Written

November 2008 - The first week of November 2008 was arguably one of the most exciting weeks ever in the history of American politics. People came out in record numbers to vote for a little known senator from Illinois as the 44th president of the United States. He came up as a virtually unknown politician and rose to become a prominent political figure within the 21-month period leading up to the elections of November 4, 2008. His name is Barack Obama, and, more importantly, he is the first African-American man voted by the people of the United States to serve as their president.

Most of you know that I am a conservative thinker and writer, and although I do not necessarily agree with President-elect Obama s politics, I am compelled to admire his dogged determination and unyielding drive to become the leader of the free world. I was in New York City the week of the elections. On the day after Barack Obama won, I rode the trains into Manhattan. That day I saw many African-Americans in the trains, streets, stores, restaurants and just about every place I went to, and noted a certain glow in their faces, a certain euphoria, excitement and general feeling of wonderment. As a Puerto Rican-American, I related to those inner feelings and outward glows. One of their own had achieved the highest office in the country, one of their own proved that nothing in life is impossible if you try hard enough, and one of their own had given them hope beyond all measures. Now, the role model image would not end at just becoming a professional athlete. Indeed, now setting a goal to become president of the United States was a real thing for them and not just a pipe dream as it once was.

Barack Obama has not only given hope to African-Americans, but he has also given hope to Hispanics, Asians, Middle-Eastern and all other minorities living in this blessed country of ours. The election of Barack Obama as president has given us a clear signal that America is growing up. The people have decided that race is no longer an issue, and they based their vote upon the character of a person rather than the color of his skin. All I can say is BRAVO America, well done!

In the months ahead, President-elect Obama will face many hardships, failures and successes. One thing is certain, though, that he has proven (at least to me) that he has the mettle to face and to deal with any problem. As a conservative, I paid close attention to his speech on the night of the elections. There was one thing in his speech that captured my attention. He reached out to those who did not agree with his politics and those who did not vote for him, and said let me prove myself to you  (paraphrase). Another thing that captured my attention was his promise to have a bi-partisan staff, and that indicated to me that Obama intends to reach out to Republicans and Independents and include them in the governance of this country.

As a minority, I am proud to see Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States. As a conservative, however, I am still having trouble with President Obamas politics. Nevertheless, I have decided to forego my ideological predispositions for the next year or so and give President Obamathe chance to prove himself, as he requested of me. What is your opinion? What do you think Obama can do for you, for Puerto Rico, for this country and for the world?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments - Article 30

Mr. Guillermo Ruiz writes,
I am a man and child of Puerto Rican born parents. I was raised in the Bronx, New York 59 years ago. It pains me to read your hateful comments of Our President Barrack Obama. Your conservative and more than likely Republican views hinge on total disregard for the truth. I suppose that your political sentiments are in agreement with fixed noise network, notably Rush Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck, and least and let s not forget, Bill O Reilly . Let me tell you that my first visit to the web page was for referencing cooking. But as I explored the web page further. I happen to see your picture and your line of In my opinion . Well, sir, you disappoint me to no great end.

I am a Vietnam veteran. I served my country with honor and distinction. I am not a war monger, I find war to be distasteful, wasteful and it should only be implemented as a last resort. But in regards to your statement about President Obama and your statement that our President is a socialist is totally untrue and unworthy of you as a U.S. citizen; I expected better of you, but as a conservative and republican, I now understand why. I also would like to address your lack of knowledge about the cause and effect of 9/11. Least we or at some of us who's done our home work, that it was not as you stated that Pres. Bush did the right thing. President Bush has been nothing but a failure, in everything he has ever done, not least his Presidency. If you bothered to look up the real facts, you would have found that in regards to 09/11 it was he who was President that this event occurred. And to put a finer point to it, the US was warned months before, that Osama Bin Ladin poised to fly planes into US building.

Now, as a history buff and accredited college student with 2 degrees, I know how to do my research. Apparently you do not sir!!! But then again Republicans and conservatives enjoy making things up, thus avoiding doing any heavy lifting, like say doing real research. One last thing, Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. It was our so called friends, Saudia Arabia, who where the majority hijackers who commandeered the planes that flew planes into the twin towers. For your information, I was a student at BMCC, just a few blocks from the twin towers when they were flown into. I was scheduled to attend classes that day but was prevented from attending classes because of this tragedy.

Mr. Ramos, please do your homework before you make stupid and incorrect statements. And as a voice for the people do us Puerto Ricans and the rest of us Americans etal a favor and stop dissing our President. One very last thin: It is people like you who have hindered the history of Puerto Rico, when it comes to the Island's future. Please stop. I dare you to print my letter in total. 

Thank you, Mr. Ruiz, for your email. You state that my conservative and more than likely views hinge on total disregard for the truth. Fact: unemployment rate is over 10%. Fact: The Health Care Reform is in shambles; two thousand pages of double-talk and pork barrel politics. Fact: Back room political deals, bribes and other promises were made to fellow democrats to get them to play ball on the Health Care issue. Fact: Democrats have taken a step back in light of the fact that the Health Care Reform package is meeting heavy resistance with their own constituency. Fact: 30,000 additional troops were sent to Afghanistan while our President stood in Norway accepting a Nobel Peace Prize. Fact: Obama and his staff have shut out the Fox News Network and other conservative media outlets because of their opposing views. Fact: The staunch and very liberal state of Massachusetts has voted for a Republican as governor of their state; a position held by a Democrat for the past 47 years. Fact: The current government, by virtue of the bailouts, wants to seize control of the banks and other corporations, thus stifling the heart of the of the United States  economy which is based on FREE ENTERPRISE! You see, Mr. Ruiz, these are not lies, but truths  truths that every left-wing and every liberal chooses to deny. Now if ownership of these corporations by our government does not constitute the very meaning of socialism, then I do not know what does.

Regarding your statement on my lack of knowledge about the cause and effect of 9/11, I doubt very much that you do too. I think there were many factors both overt and covert that contributed to the 9/11 attacks, facts that we will never be privy to because of national security. To say or infer that you truly know the cause and effect of 9/11 is not only preposterous, but also implies that you had first-hand knowledge of the events unfolding prior to the 9/11 attacks. Even as a Vietnam War veteran, I doubt very much that you had such insight. Regarding your statement about my saying Iraq had something to do with 9/11, I must urge you to please get your story right! Please go back to my comments and see that I said the following: Mr. Bush s efforts resulted in the apprehension and trial of Saddam Hussein, whose regime harbored and allowed for the training of Al Qaeda terrorist.  I said harbored and allowed  the training of Al Qaeda terrorists. Please, Mr. Ruiz, don t put lies into my mouth. If you are going to quote or paraphrase me, please get it right!

You stated that it is people like me who have hindered the history of Puerto Rico, when it comes to the Island s future and to stop. What the heck does that mean? I have no idea how I can hinder the history of Puerto Rico when it has already occurred. How does hindering Puerto Rico s history affect its future? Please, Mr. Ruiz, make some sense when you write. Also, by telling me to please stop , are you telling me to stop writing on my very own webpage on El Boricua? You further told me to stop dissing  the president. Mr. Ruiz, I have tell you that I will NOT stop writing on El Boricua. I will NOT stop writing about our President, and I will NOT stop writing my opinions simply because you disagree with them. As a fellow American and citizen of our beloved country, I invite you to please go to the United States Constitution and read the First Amendment, specifically our right to free speech. By telling me to stop writing my opinions on El Boricua you sound more like a Democrat s interpretation of a right-wing conservative. The way I see it, you can do one of two things: write to me and tell me your opinion, to which I will be more than happy to reply. Or, you can skip my page altogether. Since you do not like my opposing views, like Mr. Obama, I think you will choose to shut me out like Mr. Obama did the Fox News Network.

On a final note, opinions are not right or wrong, but simply what people think. I have never refused to publish someone s opinion simply because I disagree with them; it doesn t work that way, and I would not be true to myself if I did that. I have published your comments in full and though I do not wholly agree with all of your opinions, I respect them because they are yours. Also, I have answered your email respectfully and without personal epithets or sophomoric appellations. On the other hand, you have insulted me and wrote mendacious characterizations of me. You must have some kind of impression of me, and that s really too bad . . . on your part, that is.

Frances Wooden writes,

I am not Puerto Rican but I someday hope to live in that country. I am glad that there are people who really see what is going on in the White House. I am scared for this country. It was said a long time ago that America would not be destroyed by a foreign army but from within. I think that time has come.

P.S. I love Puerto Rican cooking and saw your post on EL BORICUA. 

Thank you for your email, Ms. Wooden. I think people should open their eyes, truly I do. Barak Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize! FOR WHAT? What has he done in the past six months to earn a Nobel Peace Prize? Obama has given many eloquent speeches about the need for people to do this and to do that, and about how governments of the world need to do this and do that. Motivational speeches are good thing, but they can only go so far. Anybody with good speaking skills and a decent appearance can accomplish the same thing. I was always under the impression that to receive a prize, such as the Nobel, one had to accomplish something special, achieve extraordinary results in the face of adversity or come up with a solution to better the world. Has Obama accomplished any peace at all? Conflicts in the Middle East, between Israel and the Palestinians are still present and show no signs of abating. And what about the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq, how can Obama reconcile winning the Nobel Peace Prize with the fact that he may have to send additional troops there? His foreign policies notwithstanding, let us focus on his domestic policies. So far, the unemployment rate is in double digits, and the money for the stimulus package has somehow disappeared. Where did the money go? Here s another thing: why did the President think it was a good idea to have beer in the White House? Was it so that he could smooth over the ruffled feathers of his dear, personal friend an issue that could easily have been handled on a local level? Why are the President and his White House staff constantly attacking Fox News and other conservative speakers? Is it because they want to deflect the negativisms of the presidency by attacking those who expose them? Why did the president feel the need for talking to the nation s children? Was it because he wanted to indoctrinate them in his liberal, leftist ideologies? The health care reform is a debacle, and should congress vote in favor of it, it will cost us dearly. The price tag so far is set at around $871 billion, but some say it will probably cost about $1 trillion! Let me write this figure so that we can all see it with zeros: $1,000,000,000.00 (nine zeros). Payment for this health care system will span over the next ten years roughly $10 billion a year. It hurts me to say that America s torch as a world leader, as the bastion of true democracy, is slowly fading into oblivion.

Ms. Jennifer Perez writes,
I have to say that I'm glad that Obama became president for many reasons, our country has been headed in the wrong direction for the last 8 yrs. The past president and his administration ran this country into the ground, [and] with this war, tons of people of my generation [are] dying or [returning] home with life altering injuries, etc. [The prior administration had] policies that didn't work, and now our country is in serious trouble; people are suffering the recession and a very big economic crisis. The people spoke and put [Barak Obama in] office people were tired of the same and wanted a change. I notice the sarcasm in many people who don't believe in or agree with his "politics". What would you rather have more of the same garbage of the last 8 yrs? It can't get any worse. I saw and felt the promise and euphoric attitude [on] people the day of the election in the minority community and across the board. For the minority community, it shows that we can do anything if we put our minds to it; even become president [of the United States]. I will always remember [the day] he was elected because my son was born on the same day. I think he has a very challenging job ahead of him as president, he has to fix and correct the past administration's issues, try and fix our economy, deal with the war and foreign policies but I wish him the best as president, I believe he is a person who has genuine desire to change things despite what others think. While President Obamahas the best goals at heart to address all of the issues at hand, no president does a perfect job. He provided a small glimmer of hope to the people and we should try to think positive and hope for the best that he does make a positive change for this country. 

Thank you for your email Ms. Perez. I don t know how to respond to your comments without trivializin President Obama s goals or your confidence in him. I do not think that George Bush ran the country to the ground. That honor belongs to a select group of individuals in Wall Street who planted seeds that would later blossom into our current economic disaster. They nurtured those evil seeds with greed, avarice and a never-ending lust for self-indulgence. Now, after all those prodigious bonuses were paid and stock options exercised, we, the taxpayers, are left holding the proverbial bag. You said that you notice sarcasm in many people who do not believe in or agree with Obama s politics. Well, perhaps it is not so much sarcasm, but cynicism; a deep reluctance to accept what many of us feel is nothing more than political rhetoric. You further state that it cannot get any worse, but that is not true. In fact, it can get a lot worse as evidenced by the plummeting stock market prices these past few weeks. Yes, President Obama is our first African-American president, and perhaps he has a genuine desire to change things. I further agree with you that no president does a perfect job. I think that George Bush had those same desires and I believe his administration did not do a perfect job, either President Obama has given hope to the people, and that hope was the impetus behind his election to the United States presidency. Now we need something more than hope, something tangible, action with results. The honeymoon is over and now Obama has to fulfill those promises he made during the election campaign.

Ms. Lourdes Richardson writes,
Of course, I do not believe in all of Obama's idealisms but on the whole, he seems to be genuine in his intent and character. We must not forget that the reason that Obama is President is because the people of the United States spoke and resoundingly said, "Enough is enough of business as usual". He was voted in not only [by] blacks, but [also by] people of all nationalities, religious persuasions, and political parties. The job of everyone who voted Obama into office is far from over. Now is not the time to sit back and "see what happens" so to speak. We must still proudly support our President in anyway we can, whether by volunteering, taking better care of our communities, making sure our children pursue an education, etc. This Presidency just goes to show that African American families are showing their children that there are other goals to be reached, other than being an athlete. This is a new era for great and wonderful achievements and most of all positive thinking. Remember, this is not just good for the United States but for the rest of the world. Other countries wrestle with many of the issues we do. I was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and then raised in New York since the age of six months. As a Puerto Rican woman of black skin, I never believed that I would see within my lifetime a Black American President. I have three teenage sons and this is undoubtedly a wonderful time and experience in their lives. 

Thank you for your sincere email Ms. Richardson. I agree with your statement that President-elect Obama appears to be a genuine and sincere person with true and honorable intentions. I also agree with you in the fact that the American people spoke resoundingly. I understand your feelings and I truly can relate to your enthusiasm. There is one thing you said that I found interesting. You said, Now is not the time to sit back and see what happens  , which was a rebuttal to my article. You further said that we must support our president in any way we can, and you gave examples of how we should support him. While I understand your call to arms, as it were, why is it that we could not do the same for President Bush? Why is there a call now to rally round the new king and support him? Why wasn t there a similar call for Bush? Is it because you do not want to see Barak Obama fail? Is it because if he fails, he not only fails for himself but also for all minorities? In my article, I mentioned the fact that President Obamapromised to include Republicans in his cabinet. To date, I have not seen any choices in that regard. He further promised change, but many of his chosen cabinet members were from Bill Clinton s old regime. He further said that he would increase taxes on people earning over $250,000. This week, he decided not to increase the taxes for those individuals but to leave things as is until 2010, when the law concerning such taxes expires. Will he increase their taxes then? We shall see. Obama then chose Hilary Clinton to serve as our nation s Secretary of State, something he did not necessarily have to do. I tried to reason his choice but could only conclude that President Obamaincurred an enormous debt to the Clintons while on his tremendous campaign for the presidency. Honestly, I think that the only one benefitting from Obama s choice will be Hilary Clinton herself. It will keep her in the media spotlight for the next four years and bolster her already prodigious credentials in foreign policy. I will give Obama credit though, for acting quickly in putting together a decent economic coalition. Will Obama bring change as he promised? I hope so. Can he keep Hilary Clinton quiet for the next four years? I think so, at least for a while maybe. But, then again, Hilary is Hilary, and one day she just might open her mouth at the wrong time and say the wrong thing. Can Obama s economic team turn things around in Wall Street? Gosh, I sure hope so! To be honest, I have refused to open my 401K statements when they arrive; I just don t want to see how many thousands I have lost! If Mr. Timothy Geitner, Obama s choice for Treasury Secretary and leader of his economic team, is as good as people say he is, then perhaps there may be a light at the end of this strange tunnel in which we currently find ourselves.

Ms. Liesla Lugo writes,

I have never been much into politics. Ever since I was a child, I remember seeing the caravans of election floats and the political arguments that took place between opposing parties on the streets of Puerto Rico. Those scenes left an indelible impression on me that I still cannot support. Well, as a very conservative person, I would have welcomed Senator McCain as president of the United States. Since that did not happen, I have no choice but to accept Obama and see what he does in the next four years. Obama is the elected president but he is not my president. In my opinion, I think Obama became president because it was God s will. A leaf in a tree does not move unless it is God s will. Obama reminds me of a movie I saw recently. The movie is entitled: Left Behind , and shows the government humbly promising it will fix the economy, etc. In the end, the Anti-Christ revealed himself. I do not mean to say that Obama is the Anti-Christ, but all the promises he made seems a little unrealistic. In this case, I must say that the majority of people voted because of Obama s race, to make history and not because of ideals. I think people voted for Obama without really knowing his politics. Many African-American people, who have never voted before did so this year. I hope that Obama can fulfill all of the promises he made during his presidential campaign and not just become president in order to make history. 

Thank for your email Leisla. I agree with your comments regarding politics; it is a nasty business. Perhaps the majority of the people indeed voted for Barak Obama because of his race. Perhaps it was the novelty of such an historic campaign or the freshness of his appearance or even the charismatic charm of his persona that swayed the pendulum towards the left. On the other hand, it is fair to say that eight years of President Bush and his politics might have been a consideration, too. In the wake of the elections, I have often asked myself, how many republicans voted for Barak Obama? How many conservatives, during the course of eight years, grew dissatisfied with their own party line politics? I believe that Bush did what he had to do, but I also believe that President Bush might have made decisions based on less than accurate information. Should we have sent troops to Iraq? Should we have sent troops to Afghanistan? Was Saddam Hussein developing weapons of mass destruction ? I think after September 11, the people needed to know that the American government was going to do something about the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. President Bush was compelled into acting swiftly and harshly against terrorism. We knew that Afghanistan and Pakistan were havens for terrorist camps, and we knew that Osama Bin Laden went into hiding in the mountains of Afghanistan. Yes, President Bush was right in sending troops to Afghanistan, and we should not withdraw our troops until we have Osama Bin Laden firmly in our hands. I also think that Saddam Hussein was deep into creating chemical warfare and other weapons of mass destruction. You may recall years ago, that Iraq had been purchasing nuclear materials from France and Germany with the intention of creating a bomb. The nation of Israel, learning of Iraq s intent, dispatched the Air Force to destroy Iraq s nuclear facility. Iraq has always been a radical nation with extremist Muslims who d like nothing better than to destroy Israel and her allies. In the many months prior to our sending troops to Iraq, there were many debates in the United Nations and many threats and warnings by the United States. I strongly believe that the incredible length of time it took for the United Nations to approve the invasion of Iraq gave Hussein enough time to clear away all the chemicals, and make Bush a laughing stock. Could these horrible events have shifted the minds of middle of the road  conservatives? I think so. At the same time, I also ask myself, how will Barak Obama react to a new terrorist attack on the United States? Will he act quickly and go after those responsible or will he use diplomacy as he has stated so many times? It seems to me that diplomacy simply does not work with terrorists. Muslim terrorists have only one goal and that is to annihilate the nation of Israel, destroy the United States of America, and eviscerate our way of life.

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High Blood Pressure Among Puerto Rican-Americans

August 2008 - On February 24, 2006, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) published an article in their week report about high blood pressure among Hispanic Americans. The most alarming part of the article was the fact that Puerto Rican Americans were at the top of the list. The CDC based their analysis, which took place between the years 1995 and 2002, upon underlying cause of death obtained from death certificates. High blood pressure, if left untreated, can result in a stroke or a heart attack.

According to the CDC, in 2002 the average hypertension-related mortality ( HRM ) rate among Hispanics was 127.2 per every 100,000. The CDC further stated that the age-standardized HRM rate for Hispanic women was 118.3, which was significantly lower than that of Hispanic men at 135.9. The most compelling fact of the CDC s report was that Puerto Rican-American men ranked number one at an HRM rate of 154.0 per 100,000 deaths. This translates to 18.1 more hypertension-related mortalities than the national average for Hispanic males.

So why do Puerto Rican-Americans have the highest number of hypertension-related deaths? Is it the result of our diet? Let s face the truth here, no self-respecting Puerto Rican man can deny his predilection for cuchifritos, pernil, pollo frito, morsillas, and other oil-based Puerto Rican delicacies. We cannot deny either that our food contains a high caloric and cholesterol count. From the time that we are able to walk, we indulge ourselves in this diet and never change it because we simply love it. Could this be the reason why high blood pressure is so prevalent among Puerto Rican males?

Can hypertension-related deaths be the result of mental conditioning? Puerto Rican men from an early age learn that they are the sole providers and caretakers of their families. A Puerto Rican man assumes this leadership role with all of his heart and soul, and he will work hard to provide for his family. Could this financial and familial burden be responsible for the high HRM rate among Puerto Rican males?

Is the high HRM rate inherent in our genetic composition? If it is a question of genes, is there a remedy out there? Can our scientists isolate that gene and remove it before our children are born?

In my opinion, it all boils down to what we put into our bodies. It is all about the food. Our food is full of salt, oil, fat and other ingredients that, although makes our food taste so good, they are actually killing us. I would like to make a special request of El Boricua s readers: If you are a doctor, or a geneticist, or a physiologist, can you please tell us why our HRM rate is so high? Can we change our diet and stay away from our cultural food? Can we re-condition our ways of thinking? Can we destroy that high blood pressure gene (if there is one)? I would also like to hear from our regular readers. What is your opinion?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments - Article 29

Ms. Jennifer Perez writes, "I think that high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes are things that the Puerto Rican community suffers is due to diet and lifestyle. A lot of Puerto Rican foods like chicarrones, tostones, alcapurrias, while very good, are fried and have tons of cholesterol; same for pastelillos, sorrullos, etc. Rice, potatoes, and heavy drinking are [other] things that affect our community people, [and they] don't realize that alcohol has a lot of lasting effects. The social effects when people don't know to act, drunk driving, [may] seem like a party [but it] is not a party with beer or any other type of alcohol, and it can also cause you have liver damage leading to cirrhosis and eventually death. Change doesn't come easy but it seems like too many people make that change when it's already too late. Portion control is another issue. Sometimes the amount of food served is too much and on top of that fried, heavily salted and seasoned. Many in the Hispanic community are also reluctant to go to the doctor and take medicines and follow the doctor's orders. You can eat things, like the foods I've mentioned. once in a while but not all the time. I drink a lot more water now than soda or sweet drinks, we no longer fry our meats any more [but instead] we grill and bake our pork chops, chicken, and have cut back on the portions. There is no reason why you should have enough rice for two people on your plate with matching amount of beans and a piece of meat to top it off. I think that while this is all a part of culture and social experiences it has to come from within to want to make a change in diet and lifestyle. Just because things are culturally acceptable doesn't necessarily mean that they are the right choices. We want to be healthy and be around to see our child grow up and we also want him to be healthy too, which is why we made the changes in our diets and go to the doctor regularly."

Thank you for your email Ms. Perez. I think you've indentified all of the underlying factors contributing to the significant rates of high blood pressure among Puerto Ricans. I also think you've identified the solution to the problem. It is not only a change of diet, but also a change in mental approach and outlook. Simply put: if you want to live a healthier life, change your diet, but also think in healthier terms. There is only one thing you did not mention, and that is a good regimen of physical activity. It doesn't have to be daily attendance at a local gym or running for five miles a day. It could simply be a walk around the block, using stairs instead of escalators or elevators, or even bike-riding. There are many ways to improve your health but the only way to do this is to set your mind to the task. Once your mind is set, the body will follow.

Ben writes,

I read your article about the heart problems of people from Puerto Rico, and I wonder if it isn't the food that causes this. Puerto Rican food has a lot of meat and a lot of the food is fried. There are even fried pork-chunks, which cannot be that healthy. On the other hand, on the nearby island of Jamaica, people eat a lot of vegetarian food and not as much meat or fried foods. I think that this is because there is a strong cultural influence from the Indians (from India) and I think that is why their food is healthier. I have been on a vegetarian diet for a while to lose weight and to get back in shape and in a few months I lost over 25 lbs. and feel a lot better than I did. I did this because I was going on a vacation to Jamaica and when I went there, I tried many of their vegetarian dishes. When I came back to the States, I started to buy Indian food because there are no Jamaican restaurants nearby. In any case, I will say that Puerto Rican food is delicious but so is Jamaican food. But I think that Jamaican and Indian food are more healthy. What do you think? 

Thank you for your email, Ben. Indian food? I used to work for an Indian man, and he took me out several times to Indian restaurants. I am not a fan of Indian food, but many of my friends and family love this pungent cuisine. What can I say? I love my fried pork-chunks , my pernil asado, my mofongo guilty as charged! I do work out though. I started going to the gym about a year ago, when I was weighing a decent 210 pounds. I changed my diet by eliminating candy and in-between meals (munchies). I now weigh 184 pounds, feel a lot better and go to the gym religiously. I substituted candy with fruits, and when I feel the urge for munchies, I reach for a granola bar. I don t know if I can become a vegan, as you have, for I love meat way too much, but I commend those have tried and succeeded in this endeavor. As far as Jamaican food, I love their beef jerky!

Ms. XIR writes,
I like your column, congratulations. I think that high blood pressure among Puerto Ricans is created by the junction of several facts: High-paced lifestyle in Puerto Rico, Diet and Genes. High-pace lifestyle PR vs. Middle-of-nowhere, SC

My husband and I got married in PR and the next day we moved to SC. Here, in Greer, SC, there are not many people. We live in a nice rural area, with no traffic and almost no crimes. It is a very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. My husband and I both grew up in Mayaguez, and as you know, Mayaguez has bad traffic and too many people everywhere. El Colegio s overcrowded population, combined with the lack of parking, finally got to my husband. Since moving to SC, my husband s blood pressure is much more under control, he sleeps better, and because I cook healthy, he is eating better too. He has only a five minute drive to work, where he always has parking and the people are nice and love to listen to him talk about PR and drink good coffee that he brings them.

Both our parents were always asking and meddling and commenting and comparing and criticizing, like many other PR families do. We love them, but they need to respect the line between caring and being nosey. My family is very much like that, his not so much. He would get so much stress when he noticed how I was so easily manipulated by my mother s demands. They always come to visit and we love it when they are here. But now that we live far away, it is easy to ignore the criticizing and the commenting.

Genes and Diet - We like living in South Carolina, but thinking about health we decided to change our Puerto Rican-based eating habits to a healthier choice. Even with a better diet, his blood pressure is on the high side, but better than when we were living in PR. This is his story. When he turned 21 he started having unusual symptoms, like numbness in his fingers. Since his father, grandfather and older brother had high blood pressure, the doctor checked and it turns out his was high too, consistently. He is prone to very dangerous peaks when he gets angry (typical PR-male). Since he is only 21, the doctor checked his blood fats (cholesterol, triglycerides, etc). Although his cholesterol was fine, both LDL and HDL, his triglycerides were SKY-HIGH, making the doctor nervous about his well-being. His score was 900 out of a 120-80 range! Well, his father, and brother had the exact same thing when they turned 21. The doctor looked into my husband s genetic composition and detected a certain gene that causes extreme triglycerides levels. This is a predominant gene found in Spanish descendants; his family name is Cruz. So, the triglycerides and high blood pressure is now being maintained with a pill and no alcohol. It is important for us PR s to understand all these factors and how easily they affect us. A bad diet is not the only culprit. Living a high-paced life-style is also a culprit. Certain genes make us fat, give us diabetes, high blood pressure and all sorts of things, but this does not mean that we should give up the battle against these illnesses. We can change things with knowledge. I know diabetes are everywhere in my blood line, therefore, I stay away from sweets and carbohydrates, and I will teach my children to do the same. My husband knows how hereditary genes and a high-paced lifestyle affects him, so we always schedule time for a nice relaxing hike or beach outing, and live in an laid-back area. I just wanted to share this information with you. 

Thank your for your email XIR. I guess family matters can also contribute to stress, leading to high-blood pressure incidents. In your husband s case, the hereditary gene that causes high triglycerides is present in his system, which further contributes to high blood pressure episodes. However, both of you have taken the right steps by moving to a more serene environment and by making healthy choices in both diet and exercise. I hope that when my readers look at your comments and take note of the changes you made to improve your living conditions, they will learn and do the same.

Elizabeth Barbieri writes,

¡Gracias por escribir este comentario en la hipertensión y la salud de los Latinos, en particular, Puertorriqueños.! Wow. Great issue and topic.

The irony is I was on www.elboricua.com to find a recipe for bizcocho/tarta for a family get together! Now I am convicted, perhaps I will serve some fresh fruits along with la tarta! I am not a physician or epidemiologist; I am a nurse that is completing my graduate work for a Masters in Public Health with a focus on Hispanic health and health disparity. I do not claim to be an expert by any means, and I am passionate about the state of health particularly amongst Latinos. Soy Española and my husband es Boricua and thanks to God, he is in good health with a normal blood pressure but he has a very strong family history of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in [his] male lineage.

We love our empanadas, arroz hecho con tocino, jamón Serrano, bocadillos, arroz con dulce &¡caray! I have to stop! I am getting hungry! However, [we eat these] foods on occasion and we prepare our traditional foods in a healthier manner and we are both very active and make exercise a priority. We are also very fortunate to have access to health care by way of insurance and our plans allow us to be proactive in preventative health care.

After doing some literature reviews from some peer-reviewed Journals from American Heart, American Journal of Hypertension, Annals of Epidemiology, etc., there are many theories as to why this is. The Puerto Rico Heart Health Program (PRHHP) examined by way of a longitudinal study, if there was an association between skin color and all-cause heart disease (not just hypertension) and their results suggested that skin color [might] be capturing environmental dynamics that may influence risk among Puerto Rican men, but nothing definitive. African American males have a higher rate of hypertension and Puerto Ricans do have African influence. Another observation by PRHHP &going back to the 1960 s wanted to test the hypothesis that low calcium intake is related to increased blood pressure, again, inconclusive. Another abstract looked at these differences and again, unclear whether the differences can be explained by traditional risk factors. My personal opinion as to why the disparity is based upon something I read published by the Consortium for Southeast Hypertension Control Although the health care system in Puerto Rico continues to improve, changes in diet, increased social stress, and the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity may add to the increased rates. 

We all need to be accountable for our health. God gives us only one body while we are here on earth. We need to care for it. No reason to stay away from traditional foods, many of the traditional foods and food grown on the island are healthy, it is just the way in which they are prepared... not everything has to be fried (try telling that to my husband s grandmother and aunts or mine for that matter!) I do feel that preventative and control measures must be taken by public health officials in Puerto Rico to bring awareness and incentives to the population. Stress is unavoidable in life, yet we need to learn to manage it and for some, it is a more of a struggle especially if one does not have access to health care. Also, it is important that educational materials are culturally relevant and sensitive. Educational materials one receives in the doctor s office in the US may not be relevant to patients in Puerto Rico. Sorry my response is so long! This is an issue close to my heart and once I finish my degree, I hope to address and make a difference! 

Thank you for your email Ms. Barbieri. High blood pressure is attributable to skin color. Hmmm, let me think about that one. Yes, that s about as abstract as any medical report can possibly be. Did you read about that conclusion in the Nazi Journal of Medicine? Elizabeth, just like you, I cannot lend any credence to the idea that some doctor out there has linked high blood pressure to the color of a person s skin. I also agree that our diet, which begins from an early age, is chock full of fat, sugar and salt. Lastly, I agree that we must take every measure to reduce our daily intake of fatty foods and sweets, and limit our use of salt in our cooking. I must confess, however, I do like a fair amount of salt on my fries something which I have been curtailing as of late (work in progress). I love my sweets, and I truly love my chuletas fritas, pernil, pollo frito, and just about every other sinful dish in the Puerto Rican cuisine. Elizabeth, I would like a favor of you. Can you please write back to us and give us website addresses or publications where we can see what a good and healthy diet should be? Also, can you provide website addresses, publications or even your own suggestion as to the best forms of cardiovascular exercise? What measures can we take to prevent stress? Is there a remedy for stress, or is stress a mental phenomenon that we should conquer psychologically?

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La Perla

July 2008 - Hello again, my dear readers! It has been a while since my last article, and you are probably wondering why I have not written in such a long time. Since relocating to Florida from New York City, I have been working from home while at the same time acclimating to a new climate. Aside from that, I have been busy working on several projects, both around the house and personal. This has left little time to do much of anything else. However, I do want to keep writing, and now that I have a small window of opportunity, I would like to share something with all of you.

To alleviate the stresses of work, as well as the ho hum of our day-to-day routine, my wife suggested we take a long, overdue vacation. I agreed and asked her if she could make all the arrangements. I did not care about where we were going so long as there was the promise that we would get away from it all. To my surprise and delight, my wife booked us on a seven-day cruise that took us from Miami to Puerto Rico, to St. Maarten and finally to Haiti. Well, if you have not treated yourself to a cruise, then you are missing something truly wonderful in life. I think everyone should go on a cruise at least once in a lifetime; it is the ultimate indulgence. There is just one thing you have to forget when you go on a cruise. You must forget your diet, because you will eat, eat and then eat some more! There are many things to do on a cruise, from dancing, to gambling, to ice-skating, to watching variety and comedy shows in the ship s theatre. You could also do nothing, and just lounge by the pool and sip the drink of the day, whether a Mango Tango or simply a beer. There are many restaurants in the ship and numerous barbecue grills along the decks. By twelve o clock, the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs is so overpowering, it is difficult to ignore it, so you must believe me when I say that you will eat, and you will eat a lot! I am not even going to tell you about the midnight buffet.

On the ship we were on, Royal Caribbean s Liberty of Seas, there was a grand promenade that resembled a shopping mall, complete with a coffee shop, men s and women s apparel store, jewelry store, other restaurants, a liquor store and even a Ben & Jerry s ice cream shop. It felt like we were on a floating city where the crew catered to all our needs with the utmost joy and care. There was always something to do, and we never got bored. Did I mention that there is plenty of eating? In case I forget, I need to tell you something else. If you decide to go on a cruise, make sure you bring that old outfit in your closet, the one way in the back. You know the one I m talking about, right? The one that s a couple of sizes too big. You will need it after the cruise because you are going to EAT!!!

Our first port of call was San Juan, Puerto Rico, and I could hardly wait to disembark once we arrived there. It did not take very long to moor the ship and clear customs, but to me it seemed like hours. We anxiously walked the long pier and finally crossed the gates into Old San Juan. The second I set foot on Puerto Rican soil, after more than fifteen years, it felt like I was home again. As my wife and I began to walk the streets, I felt a strong sense of pride and love for my ancestral land that swept through the deepest part of my soul.

The first place we went to see was the fort of San Cristobal, where we saw how the Spanish garrison soldiers lived, dressed and ate. Then we walked from the San Cristobal fort to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, or better known to us as El Morro. I must confess that every time I go visit El Morro, it never ceases to surprise me. It is a remarkable construction of concrete and limestone and truly an awe-inspiring sight. Standing over the ramparts, one cannot help but to imagine how it must have looked at the height of its glory. Toward the northernmost bastion, where the fort juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, it is easy to stand there and imagine how pirates must have felt at first sight of twelve and eighteen pound cannons bearing down on them from the top of such an imposing and strategically placed fortress.

Our sense of awe and pride would have remained high had it not been for something else we saw that day. On the way to El Morro from San Cristobal, we passed through a neighborhood called La Perla. La Perla is located practically on the shores of San Juan, between the San Cristobal and El Morro fortresses. The thoroughfare between the forts rises above La Perla on a ridge that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. La Perla is a cluster of tightly packed, low-income houses that have been in existence for more than a century. At El Morro fortress, we took some time to talk to the Park Ranger there and he told us that La Perla was a crime-infested neighborhood, dominated by drugs and violence.

Standing on the ridge overlooking La Perla, we saw a narrow street that gradually descended into the seemingly benign neighborhood. On occasion, the strain of a narrow street was clearly visible when one driver tried to exit while another tried to enter using the same road. While the drivers decided who had the right of way, our attention focused on La Perla s entrance, where a drug transaction was taking place right before our eyes. It happened so fast, that if we had blinked, we would not have seen it. But we saw it, and we were disturbed by it.

It is sad to look upon the slums of La Perla and witness a drug transaction while on your vacation. It is even sadder still to see American and international tourists witnessing the same thing. Even though we are not residents of the island, we could not help but to feel somewhat embarrassed for Puerto Rico. The San Cristobal and El Morro fortresses are main attractions for Puerto Rico s tourism, and millions of people around the world come to San Juan every year to visit these grand monuments. The United Nations has recognized the historical importance of El Morro and bestowed upon it the honor of a World Heritage Site. Despite the global recognition and accolades associated with it, La Perla, nestled between the two fortresses, stands out much like a cold sore does on a person s lip, and mars the beauty, historic value and prideful memories of the two ancient monuments.

We lifted our spirits later that day when we took a stroll on the streets of Old San Juan, where we purchased a few souvenirs and ate at an authentic Puerto Rican restaurant. The shopping district is currently undergoing much needed renovations. New sidewalks are now visible, as well as freshly paved streets. We took in as much of San Juan s sights as we could possibly take but in the end, we only had one day, and we needed to get back to our boat. Overall, we were happy to see San Juan again, and thrilled to reacquaint ourselves with our culture and heritage.

Standing on the deck of the ship as it slowly sailed away from San Juan harbor, I could not erase the memories of La Perla. I kept asking myself, what could the Puerto Rican government do with La Perla? How do the administrators of the Puerto Rican government feel about La Perla? Do they think that tourists simply ignore it as they walk between the two attractions? La Perla lies along a piece of prime real estate, with a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. La Perla s conversion could take the form of a hotel district, condominiums, casinos, or even an exclusive beach. But what would the government do with the people of La Perla if it decides to renovate the area? Relocation of La Perla s citizens would most likely be the answer; governments do it all the time. Have any of you seen La Perla? What is your opinion?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments - Article 28 (La Pela)

Ms. Raquel De Jesus writes,
I often visit www.elboricua.com for recipes but on this blah Sunday afternoon I decided to read a few articles and I'm so glad that I did. I took a trip to P.R. this past August with my boyfriend, who is not Puerto Rican, and we stayed in San Juan. I go to the island every 2 years or so and stay with my family (my father is from Arroyo) but since I was going with my boyfriend whom they hadn't met yet and it was only for a few days, I decided to stay in the city. He was eager to see the beauty of the island and I was happy to show it off to him. We took a long stroll from our hotel along the shore, past the forts and came upon La Perla. He asked about the area and I told him what I knew about it; it was poor and my family on the island warned that it was pretty bad. He was struck by the separation of the neighborhood from the rest of San Juan, by the wall and the long dirt road and stairs leading down to it. The separation saddened me as well. Here is this beautiful city and this little slum is sandwiched in between these historical monuments. The city deserves more than the reputation La Perla has and the people of La Perla deserve more than being separated and basically cast off. As we were snapping pictures we did separate a little and when I looked over at him, he was being approached by a drug dealer. I could not believe it, after all the times I have visited the area in my life, I never once experienced that, it struck me how bad things actually were. In the 5 or so minutes that we were looking over down onto the long road we witnessed at least 4 drug deals, both to tourists and islanders. At one point the police walked right by us and did nothing, I could not believe it! I'm not sure what the solution is, but unlike Mr. Webb I do not think that things should stay the same. P.R. has much more to offer and is not just a "poverty-stricken corrupt nation with a terrible drug trade". It has its problems, as does every other major city and country with large amounts of tourists. I'm from Boston and I can name quite a few places in the city that tourists should stay away from. I go to P.R. for the beauty, the culture, and when I visit my family there is a sense of family and community that I feel has been lost in the business of day-to-day life here in the States. It is nice to connect to these things once again, even if it is only for a short visit and I don't think that you have to be Puerto Rican to appreciate these things. 

Thank you for your email Raquel. I sensed the alacrity with which you undertook your journey to show off Puerto Rico s beauty to your boyfriend. Yet, at the same time, I sensed your disappointment and embarrassment when you both came upon La Perla. I, too, disagree with Mr. Webb s suggestion that the Puerto Rican government do nothing for La Perla. However, I agree with your assessment that San Juan is marred by La Perla s reputation and that the inhabitants need more than the separation it now faces. But I wonder: why does the Puerto Rican government refuse to do anything about La Perla? We have to consider a few things before we start judging the politicians. First of all, according to Wikepedia, La Perla has been in existence since the late 1800 s, and it is located outside the northern historic wall of Old San Juan, on grounds where a slaughterhouse once stood. The laws in the 1800 s required that slaughterhouses and cemeteries both be established away from the city center. Eventually, farmers and workers began living around the slaughterhouse and soon built homes there. Over the past 100 years, many generations have lived and died in La Perla, and to demand their exodus from a place they have known all their lives is not a simple thing to do. The second thing we have to consider is the power of the drug lords and their minions. As many readers have stated, the police do not dare venture into La Perla for fear of losing their lives or even those of their families. Another thing we have to consider is the fact that not all of the inhabitants are associated with drugs and violence. I have to concede the notion that there are many hard-working and decent people living there. Finally, we have to consider the repercussions the politicians would face if anyone of them dared to write legislation that would displace these honest and decent people from a place they have known all their lives. I would imagine their reputations and chances of re-election would hang in the balance should the media learn about such legislature. In my earlier responses I have offered several solutions for La Perla. Here is another solution: rather than relocating the residents of La Perla and building tourist attractions, perhaps the government could start demolishing the ancient dwellings there and build new homes. I don t mean cheap housing projects or pre-fabricated low-cost constructions. I mean good and decent homes that the residents can be proud of. The government could temporarily house the residents while their new homes are being constructed in La Perla. As La Perla receives the face-lift it so much deserves, the government could start rooting out all of the drug dealers and introduce a police force dedicated exclusively to La Perla. But . . . that is my opinion!

Patrick Webb writes,

I just happened across your site; I'm not Puerto Rican but I have been [to] La Perla. I take this as special, as I find even most Puerto Ricans have ever been, and I'm sorry to say there is no missing the drug activity there. Don't worry about blinking, the activity is quite obvious and open once you re inside. Much like you, I did wonder why the government doesn't do more. After all, the place sits on "prime" real estate for development [with] absolutely stunning views. Relocate them, pay them to leave, even burning it probably would have been better; I don't know what, but I thought they must be able to do something.

But the more I thought about it, really, the place is great. Right there in the heart of all the casinos, big hotels, millions in international tourism, and economic activity, sits a little community, which represents a polar opposite. Poverty, drugs, prostitution, and god only knows what else as even the police won't dare go to look for the world to see (if they care enough to look). Why is that great? Because that's P.R. After all the glitz, glam and show the island puts on for its well-healed generally Caucasian visitors, that is what P.R. is: a poverty-stricken corrupt nation with a terrible drug trade. How sad it would be if I had gotten my way. For me now, moving them would seem to serve only to hide the island s problems from the eyes of the world. Allowing the government officials (which sit just blocks away) to forget the real problems facing the island and prevent the island s "well to do" from fretting about where to park their Rolls-Royce.

Rice and beans, plantains, and yucca are all cultural icons of the island. Icons created by the very same poor communities "La Perla" represents; the icons that reflect the lifestyle of the "Criollo" and not that of wealthy Spanish plantation owners. Somehow "making" it go away to serve some outside interest seems wrong to me. But, that is my opinion, and I'm not Puerto Rican. In the meantime (with my perfectly incorrect Caucasian accent), "Vaya con Dios".

Thank you for your email Patrick. Judging from the way you wrote your email, it sounds like you actually entered La Perla. If you did, then I must say it was a gutsy move for an American Gringo , but not a terribly bright one. If you were but an observer just as I was, then you were smart and must have stood at the top of the ridge overlooking the impoverished community. I must agree with you that the Puerto Rican government chooses to ignore La Perla, and I cannot help but to liken them to an ostrich sticking its head into a hole in the ground. You say that relocating the residents of La Perla in order to develop the site and improve Puerto Rico s tourism seems wrong to you because it only hides the problem. I will give you an example of a similar idea that occurred in New York City. Back in the 1970 s, when I was a teenager, I remember going to 42nd Street (Times Square) and witnessing drug peddlers, drug addicts, prostitutes, and every other vice under the sun. Certain New York visionaries saw the potential of Times Square as a cash cow  for the city s tourism and economy. Over the span of a decade, they developed the mess that was Times Square into the hottest place in the city. There are theatres, restaurants, department stores, and all sorts of businesses catering to tourists. So what happened to the drug dealers, the drug addicts and the prostitutes that were so prevalent in Times Square? They did not vanish, Patrick, they simply moved several blocks away from Times Square and continued doing business. What I am trying to say is that drugs and prostitution might never go away no matter how much we try to do something about it. Although it may not be best choice, relocation might be the only choice. Perhaps one day a Puerto Rican visionary will rise to the occasion and do to La Perla what New York visionaries did for Times Square.

Yolanda Semidey writes,

Hello Anthony, it was about time you wrote a new article!! It's great to read that you are doing well and moved to Florida. Good for you and your wife!! It is great that you both went on a cruise to PR, lord knows I need a vacation to PR too because it's been a while I haven't visited. I must comment on your article about La Perla, because it is a neighborhood that just about everyone I know that have gone to the Island have commented on. Of course, for us as "Boricuas ausentes", it is a shame that such a neighborhood still exists in such a visible and high trafficked area of San Juan. La Perla has been there for decades and the residents will oppose to any idea of relocation and the government of PR has no plans to do so anyway. They know that there will be hell raised and huge opposition from its residents. Even if they were to move to a nice "caserio", they won't want to go because their roots are deep in that community. My friend Marge visited PR about 2 years ago and she called me from nearby La Perla. She was amazed at the way drug transactions were being conducted right there on the street and there were lots of people walking around so she had to hold on to her friend who was giving her the tour of old San Juan. It was hilarious in a way because she was so awe-struck about what was happening there that night and the cops would not even venture inside La Perla, so druggies did whatever they wanted because they knew the cops would never bust them outside its perimeter, much less go inside its boundaries. Yes, it is an eye sore and I wish the government would use its eminent domain powers to move residents out of there and clean up that fabulous piece of real estate. But I suppose it would take a lot of effort on its part to do so because they know they will face fierce opposition from its residents. Anthony you might want to read Oscar Lewis's book: "La Vida: A Puerto Rican Family in the Culture of Poverty--San Juan and New York" published a long time ago in 1966 but even though he named that neighborhood in San Juan "La Esmeralda" experts say that he was really writing about La Perla. The book drew a lot of criticism due to the raw nature of the writing and description of Puerto Ricans, but oh well....he saw it as it was, so I don't know why people would get all offended. Anyway, this was a good article you wrote. I also enjoyed the one about Don Pedro Albizu Campos . . . what an intelligent man he was, regardless of his political affiliations. Ok please write more often and it is great to read your articles again. 

Thank you for your email, Yolanda. Yolanda, you were among the first readers of El Boricua to contribute your opinions and comments to this web page, and I thank you for continuing to do so. I would also like to thank you for your kind words. Reading your response, I guess the first word that comes to mind is bulldozers  and lots of them, but that would never work. Perhaps rather than moving the residents of La Perla by invoking eminent domain, and thus incurring their wrath, the Puerto Rican Government could offer them incentives. For example, the government could create a decent housing community. I do not mean one of those pre-fabricated or low-income project-style dwellings, but honest to goodness homes that people can be proud of and live happily. The government could also bear the cost of all relocation expenses, and provide a one-time cash outlay to every family as a reward for cooperating. This would be a small investment when compared to the dividends Puerto Rico would receive in converting that prime real estate area into a fabulous tourist attraction. The government could convert La Perla into a Caribbean Riviera, with casinos, luxury hotels, beaches, and other attractions such as a Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood, etc. The government could also level the place and create a park with a nice public beach for everyone to enjoy. For now, there is only one thing that remains certain, La Perla will continue to be sandwiched in between the El Morro and San Cristobal forts, and many tourists, domestic and international, will continue to walk to and from these two powerful attractions.

LA PERLA, LA PERLA! Who has not heard of the infamous place? Even as a child, living in Puerto Rico (until the age of six) I remember going to El Morro to fly chiringas  and my mother reminding me not to go there. Now I am here responding to this article nineteen years later and the problem is still there. You talk about feeling bad when you saw a drug transaction happen in front of your eyes, well imagine being hustled for money by the inhabitants of La Perla . About five years ago, I went to visit my grandparents and decided that it had been a long time since I had seen El Morro . Frankly, I missed it. So my aunts and I decided to go. Once we were finished parking and out of the car, a kid asked us for twenty dollars to watch the car so that no one would touch it. I told him no, that there was no need for him to watch the car. Immediately my aunt interrupted and gave him the twenty dollars. Then she turns to me and said, If we want our car to be the same way we left it, we had better give him the money, or it would be destroyed by the time we come back.  I was like WHAT! In fact, all this time has passed and that day still infuriates me. Then all these questions come to my mind: Do they also do this to tourist? No wonder some people think we carry knives. What is the government doing? Are they in cohorts with them? To add more wood to the fire, do you remember that Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez movie about Hector Lavoe? Did you know that Mr. Anthony had to ask whatever gangster was in charge of La Perla  to film a scene of his movie there? So I guess we know who is in charge there and it is not the government. Oh well! C est la vie! 

Thank you for your email Claudette. I do recall the many elaborate kites (chiringas) that people were flying that day. It seemed like a mass holiday because there were so many people on El Morro s grounds, picnicking and flying kites all so dangerously close to La Perla. I understand your feelings regarding the kid who extorted money from your aunt that day, but your aunt did the right thing. It is better to be penny wise than dollar foolish, as the saying goes. I suppose tourists do see the same thing and suffer the indignity of extortion as well, but it is a risk all tourists have to take whether in Puerto Rico or China, England, Brazil, and so on. It seems that the government is doing nothing about La Perla but I do not think they are in league with any resident of the infamous neighborhood. Regarding your comments about Marc Anthony, I was not aware that he had to obtain a special dispensation from the Pope of La Perla, but it does not surprise me either.

As you know, I talked about my recent cruise and about our port of call in San Juan. Well, my wife recently went on the Royal Caribbean web site to see the passenger comments about their recent trip. An overwhelming and disappointing number of people wrote that they did not like San Juan, citing that it was dirty, with nothing to do there. As I mentioned in my article, Old San Juan is undergoing a face-lift. They are re-paving many streets and repairing sidewalks, but at the same time though, I cannot deny the fact that I did see unclean areas and street bums and panhandlers. I did not see any attractions for tourists, nothing that would entice them into spending money in San Juan. With no real attractions, other than El Morro, tourists end up in the same jewelry and department stores they find in the United States. What is so novel about that? The Puerto Rican tourism department should be very leery of this because, very soon, Cuba will open her doors to the world and many U.S. citizens will flock over there for vacation instead of Puerto Rico, and they will spend their dollars there as well.

Ms. Ivonne Figueroa writes,

Yes, infamous La Perla is certainly an embarrassment to Puerto Rico, and it is really disappointing that tourists have to see such places, often with a guided tour. Too bad that islanders haven't decided to clean house there. And too bad tourist guides see fit to bring La Perla to the attention of visitors.

La Perla is an old historical site outside the city walls of Old San Juan, right next to the island's colonial era cemetery, "Santa María Magdale de Pazzis," and the resting place of many prominent and historical Puerto Ricans. It is located in prime real estate, in old San Juan overlooking the sea. Hopefully someday something good will become of this area. 

Thank you for your email Ivonne. It is always nice to hear from the Chief Editor and Publisher of El Boricua. I wonder if the people responsible for Puerto Rico s tourism industry are aware of the damage La Perla is causing to their trade. I have to stress here that I am not speaking about the inhabitants of La Perla but rather the sight of the neighborhood; frankly, it is an eyesore. Perhaps one day something good might indeed become of this area. For now, however, we must deal with the site and not get too disappointed with it (if we can).

Ms. Ronnie Torres writes,

I was introduced to the El Boricua website by friend and immediately was drawn to the website. While I was born in the U.S. to parents who came here from Puerto Rico back in the 1940s I still find it amazing that, while I will always feel pride in my American nationality, I will forever feel a "pull" from Puerto Rico. I visited Puerto Rico for the first time when I was 13 years old (a lifetime ago). I continued to visit Puerto Rico every year until my early 20s, when I married. My husband was not of Hispanic ancestry and as life usually does, I went on with it.

Many years later, I was the mother of a son who always questioned me about this island where his grandparents were born. In 2003, my four sisters and I decided [we should forge] a long overdue trip to Puerto Rico [just the five of us]. Soon enough, nephews, nieces, brother in laws, cousins, and yes, my son, were all on board. My son fell head over heels in love with the beautiful island. His return luggage back to the U.S. doubled from all the books he purchased about his, about MY, people, about OUR place of ancestry. It was a trip, [which] will forever stay in my heart. To walk the streets where my parents and grandparents walked was surreal. The richness of OUR people tugged at our hearts. While [my son] obviously did not learn the language in the short time we were there, he did learn to say . . . pasteles, arroz con gandules, harina de coco, cangrejos!

In 2006, my son married a lovely girl from Poland. Their honeymoon? El Conquistador! This time, my son was able to play tourist guide for his wife. They returned in 2007, for a two-week vacation. This year? They have just returned from another two-week stay in Puerto Rico.

Thank you so much for the work you do for El Boricua website. Thank you for reminding us who we are and where we came from! 

Thank you for your email Ms. Torres. How wonderful it is to read about a young person discovering his Puerto Rican heritage. I think the feelings are the same for all Puerto Rican descendents that come to the island for the first time. It is the beauty of the island and the openness of her people that somehow closes the gap between islanders and non-islanders, sealing it with a strong bond of love and pride. Reading about your son s discovery brought me back to the first time I visited Puerto Rico. I remember standing atop a steep mountain and marveling at the sight of Orocovis s rolling hills, as if I were gazing at an artist s painting. I stood there in awe, contemplating the varying degrees of green hues and shades, each color blending subtly into another, as if the artist had meticulously mixed his palette and chosen the precise colors for his canvas masterpiece. It was surreal for me, too, standing on the precipice of that mountain and looking down at the valley memories that I treasure and will never forget. For the short time I read your email, I lived vicariously through your son s experiences. I wonder if you or your son stumbled upon La Perla. If you did, then I wonder how you felt about it.

Ms. Leisla Acevedo writes,

It is good to hear from you, and about time, too. I was happy to know that you took your vacation aboard a cruise ship. I have been on about five cruises myself, and every time I go on one, I find more things to do; and it does not matter to me where the ship goes. Regarding your comments on La Perla, it is ironic the neighborhood you wrote about bears such a name; a name that, in this case, does nothing to define what Puerto Rico truly is. 

Thank you for your email, Ms. Acevedo. Now that I have been on a cruise, I can see why there are so many repeat customers. A couple that we met on the ship told us they had gone on about twenty or so cruises, and the number of additional cruises they were planning to take. Hey, if you got the money, go for it! Regarding La Perla, it still haunts me. You are right, Leisla, about the irony in such a lovely name.

Article 27 - Pedro Albizu Campos

PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOS
EL MAESTRO 
CHAMPION FOR PUERTO RICAN INDEPENDENCE
THE HEART AND SOUL OF BORINQUEN

He was born on September 12, 1893, in the village of Tenerias, Ponce, Puerto Rico. His birth name was Pedro and he was the son of Alejandro Albizu and Juana Campos. Pedro might have been just another ordinary Puerto Rican boy content with the notion of living out his existence on the island, anonymously, without much fanfare, and without controversy. Pedro might have been just another Puerto Rican citizen born in a country ruled by a foreign power, and he could have accepted the cards dealt to him by fate, had he not been born with a prodigious reservoir of passion for his country, exceeding intelligence, and the audacity to question the status quo. He looked at the hand dealt to him and had the iron will to throw the cards back at fate and alter his destiny.

As a young boy, between the years 1900 and 1911 Pedro s scholastic performance caught the attention of his teachers, who began to nurture his sponge-like mind and encourage him to pursue higher academic goals. At the age of 18, Pedro Albizu Campos  academic prowess had earned him a scholarship to study Engineering at the University of Vermont, where he received a Bachelor of Science after completing two majors in Chemistry and in Engineering. In 1915, Campos applied and received acceptance to the prestigious Harvard University, majoring in Law. As fortune would have it, though, World War I had broken out the previous year and the young Campos faced the first major decision of his life. He left Harvard University to join the Army and fight for the new masters of his beloved country.

Pedro enlisted in the Infantry, where he received his training from the French Military mission. After training, the Army assigned Pedro Albizu Campos to serve under General McIntyre in an Afro-American unit. It was during his tenure in the United States armed forces that Campos first experienced racism, and that brief exposure to American bigotry left an indelible impression in his consciousness that would later become an ingredient to the formation of his persona.

At the end of World War I, in 1918, the Army discharged Pedro as a First Lieutenant. Then, in 1919, Campos rededicated his life to his academic studies. He returned to Harvard University, where fellow students elected him president of the Cosmopolitan Club. While Pedro studied at Harvard, he met and fell in love with a Peruvian national named Laura Meneses. At the same time, Campos befriended other foreign students who shared the same ideals as he did radical ideals that were starting to foment inside his activist soul. Among the students Campos befriended were Subhas Chandra Bose, who later became an Indian nationalist leader and stood shoulder to shoulder with Mohandas K. Ghandi in the liberation of India from English rule. Included in that small circle of friends was the man who later became the famous Hindu poet Rabindranath Tagore. Pedro s formative years at Harvard drew his attention toward many causes, and his zeal was so powerful that he helped in the formation of several establishments in Boston dedicated to the independence of Ireland. It was no surprise that his connection to the centers for Irish freedom in Boston drew the attention of Eamon de Valera, the famous Irish independence leader. Pedro met Eamon de Valera during his final year at Harvard, and that meeting proved to be the pivotal moment of his life and when his passion for a free and independent Puerto Rico became cemented to his soul. Later on that year, Pedro Albizu Campos became a consultant to Eamon de Valera, and assisted with the drafting of the constitution of the Irish Free State. Pedro graduated from Harvard University in 1921 with a degree in Law

Pedro Albizu Campos made the most of his time at Harvard University. By the time he graduated, Pedro had degrees in Chemistry, Engineering and Law. Aside from achieving those milestones, he was proficient in English, as well as French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Latin and Greek. Shortly after graduating, he received job offers. One offer came from a Protestant church to work as their Hispanic representative, and another one came from the U.S. Diplomatic Corp as their representative in Mexico. Pedro Albizu Campos  dreams and visions of a free Puerto Rico, however, caused him to turn down the job offers and he immediately returned to his homeland, where he married Laura Meneses in 1921. The couple lived in Ponce and later had three children, Laura, Rosa and Pedro. While in Ponce, Pedro Albizu Campos received many high-salaried offers, but he rejected every one of them because he wanted to concentrate all his energies on the independence of Puerto Rico. This goal, this dangerous ideal, would never change and would remain the focal point of passion throughout his tumultuous life.

In 1921, Pedro entered the political arena and became a member of the Union Party, but three years later the political cohesiveness within the membership disintegrated and the party dissolved. Pedro then joined the Nationalist Party in 1924, where the members elected him vice-president. Between the years 1927 and 1930, Pedro Albizu Campos, filled with an unwavering determination and an undeniable patriotic fervor, traveled to Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Peru to drum up support for the independence of Puerto Rico. Upon his return to Puerto Rico in 1930, the Nationalist Party elected him president, and under Campos  leadership, the party became a powerful force, a movement that the United States had to take seriously. It was then that Pedro Albizu Campos became an enemy of the state, and it was then that he came under the scrutiny of the U.S. Federal authorities.

Perhaps the catalyst behind Pedro Albizu Campos  persecution by the United States was a manuscript that he published in 1932. The manuscript was more of an exposé on the American doctor, Cornelius P. Rhoads, who, while working at San Juan s Presbyterian Hospital, admitted to killing Puerto Rican patients by injecting them with cancer cells. The manuscript further exposed the Rockefeller Institute as Doctor Rhoads  financial backer and for whose behalf he conducted the so-called medical experiments. Although the manuscript brought to light the alleged atrocities perpetuated by Dr. Rhoads  experiments on a defenseless people, it did not stop Dr. Rhoads  forward mobility within the U.S. government. Dr. Rhoads later became the head of two chemical warfare projects during World War II and served on the United States Atomic Energy Commission, receiving the U.S. Legion of Merit award. Perhaps Campos felt the cold sting of irony when he realized Dr. Rhoads would continue to rise within the government ranks despite his genocidal work. Maybe it was the fact that Campos  manuscript had failed to draw international attention to the evil work Rhoads performed on behalf of the Rockefeller Institute and in the name of Science. Perhaps these two factors were the impetus behind an unstoppable chain of events that would eventually lead to Campos  demise. Now that Campos had opened the bottle and let out the genie, there was no turning back. He pushed his independence efforts into full gear and never relented, never faltered, and never gave up!

In 1933, Pedro Albizu Campos led strikes against the Puerto Rico Power & Light Company and the Puerto Rico Railway, both of which he claimed had monopolized industry on the island. Campos continued to go against the grain, and Federal scrutiny increased as a result. The Feds heard and wrote down Campos  daily, incendiary speeches against the United States  illegal occupation of Puerto Rico. They watched him when he stormed the Puerto Rican Capitol building protesting against the ban imposed by the United States on the use of the Puerto Rican flag. Since 1898, after Spain had ceded Puerto Rico to the United States as a spoil of war, the United States had banned the Puerto Rican flag, citing its use as a symbol for independence and revolt. Campos felt the United States had no right to occupy Puerto Rico, let alone ban the flag representing his country, and this angered him right down to the very core of his soul. The U.S. Federal authorities watched Campos as he made his presence known during strikes, and they took into account all the occasions where he agitated for the sake of doing so; all details recorded for later use by the ever-present Federal authorities.

By 1936, the U.S. Federal government had collected enough data on Pedro Albizu Campos to fill three file cabinets, but still the government would not act. Then, a certain incident occurred that year in which the results affected the collective psyche of the Federal government and finally prompted them to initiate action against Campos. In 1936, two Nationalist Party members, Hiram Rosado and Elias Beauchamp, assassinated the appointed commander of the police in San Juan, an American named Colonel E. Francis Riggs. The assassination, however, was a retaliatory act upon Riggs because it was under his command the previous year that the police had killed four members of the Nationalist Party in what the people referred to as The Rio Piedras Massacre. What incensed the citizens of Puerto Rico the most was the fact that the police summarily executed the two Nationalist Party members behind closed doors inside the police headquarters in San Juan. Based on the fact Rosado and Beauchamp were members of the Nationalist Party, the U.S. Federal authorities arrested Campos and several other members of the party, charging them with sedition and conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government in Puerto Rico.

In March of 1937, while lawyers for the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party were appealing the case in a federal court, a lawful rally was taking place in Ponce. Hours before the rally, however, and unbeknownst to the protesters, the Puerto Rican police, under pressure from U.S. authorities, revoked the permit for the rally and began to surround the protesters with their guns. The rally, whose leaders formed it with the purpose commemorating the end of slavery in 1873, also protested the arrest of Pedro Albizu Campos as well as the United States  illegal occupation of Puerto Rico. Though the protesters were unarmed, no one could verify whether any one of them possessed a firearm. Shots eventually rang out and general chaos ensued. In the aftermath, the police wounded over 100 people that day, most of them innocent bystanders. Of the many wounded, 19 died 17 men, a woman and a little girl. The Ponce Massacre, as the people later referred to it, would further strengthen the Federal case against Campos and his followers. With The Ponce Massacre fresh in the minds of the Appellate Court judges, lawyers for the Nationalist Party lost the appeal, and the United States shipped Pedro Albizu Campos off to a Federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia; his sentence: ten years.

In 1943, Campos became seriously ill and the government transferred him from the Federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia, to Columbia Hospital in New York, where he served out the remainder of his sentence.

Pedro Albizu Campos  years in prison and the severity of his sentence convinced him that the United States was never going to give up their occupation of Puerto Rico. Many people believe that when Campos completed his term in jail, he had already resolved to revolt against the United States. During the years 1949 and 1950, Campos, along with several leaders of the Nationalist Party began to put together a plan to overthrow the U.S. government in Puerto Rico. The Nationalist Party planned the revolution for early 1952 since that was the year in which Puerto Rico would become a Free Associated State or Commonwealth of the United States. Since Campos had rejected the United States  occupation of Puerto Rico, citing its illegality, he lent no credence whatsoever to the impending new status of his country. Campos and his followers also lent no credence to the so-called referendum  in favor of a Commonwealth status, alleging U.S. influence and manipulation in the electoral process. The place where the revolution was to take place was a town called Jayuya because Nationalist Party members had stored a cache of weapons in a house owned by Blanca Canales, leader of the party in that town

The revolution, which Campos had planned for early 1952, never took place that year. Instead, it took place in 1950 after a series of events occurred, which Campos could neither control nor avoid. On October 26, 1950, Campos had been moderating a Party meeting in the town of Fajardo when he received word that the police had surrounded his home in San Juan with warrants for his arrest. Having no further recourse, Pedro Albizu Campos made a quick escape from Fajardo but not before issuing orders for the revolution to start immediately.

On October 30, 1950, the Nationalist Party members commenced the revolution in the towns of Jayuya, Arecibo, Ponce, Utuado, Mayagüez and Naranjito. Blanca Canales and another leader of the Juyayan Party stormed the town and attacked the police station. An exchange of gunfire ensued leading to the death of one officer and the wounding of three other officers before the police station finally surrendered to the Nationalists. By that time, other members of the party had cut telephone lines and burned the post office. The Nationalist Party members declared Puerto Rico a free nation but would hold the town for only three days.

Reacting immediately, the United States declared martial law and ordered the Puerto Rican National Guard to restore order in Jayuya. Many citizens of Jayuya woke up one morning to see military airplanes swooping down on their town and dropping bombs on their homes and business establishments. Many more Jayuyans would see first-hand the effects of a barrage of fire from artillery weapons. Nothing could have been more frightening to the Jayuyan country-folk, many of whom might not have even seen an airplane before. Though the defenseless town-folk would survive the land and aerial attack, the military had destroyed a good portion of their town. The United States took every effort to prevent news of the attack from spreading outside of Puerto Rico, and went as far as calling it just an incident between Puerto Ricans.

The attempted revolt prompted the arrest of Pedro Albizu Campos as the ringleader, as well as other members of the National Party, among them Blanca Canales. The trial took place in 1951 and Campos, together with his associates, received an 80-year sentence. In 1953, Governor Luis Munoz Marin pardoned Pedro Albizu Campos, and the Nationalist Party president was free once again. However, on March 1, 1954, Lolita Lebron with three other Nationalist Party members traveled to Washington, D.C. and from the gallery of the Capitol Building opened fire on several members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. arrested the Nationalist members, charging them with terrorism and attempted murder. They received long prison terms terms, but their terrorist act also caused the U.S. Federal government to revoke Governor Luis Munoz Marin s pardon, which sent Pedro Albizu Campos back to prison.

During the initial year of his second imprisonment, Pedro Albizu Campos claimed that the U.S. government had been conducting radiation experiments on him. Though it remains unproven, many prisoners claimed that the U.S. had been conducting radiation experiments at the Princesa Prison during the early to mid 1950 s without receiving permission from its subject and without warning them of the ill effects of radiation. Campos adamantly stated that the first experiment conducted on him took place on February 1, 1951, and the effects of that first experiment knocked him out cold. The next abuse took place on May 9, 1951, and then eight more atrocious and unpardonable times between the years 1952 and 1953. The physical effects on Campos were so bad that he had to place wet towels over his head to cool down the heat in his body caused by the radiation.

Photo of Pedro Albizu Campos during his second prison term in La Princesa Prison, where he claimed the U.S. conducted radiation experiments on him. Note the visible scars on Campos  legs, the result of intense radiation.

Pedro Albizu Campos stated repeatedly that the U.S. Federal authorities were trying to kill him, but the Federal authorities rebutted his charges with the story that Campos had gone insane, all in an effort to discredit his leadership and respect among the Nationalist Party.

Lawyers filed briefs in court, protesting Campos  abuse and inhumane treatment while in prison, but their efforts were all in vain. In an effort to prove the existence of radiation, lawyers and friends of Pedro Albizu Campos engaged the services of Dr. Orlando Damuy, president of the Cuban Cancer Association. According to Dr. Damuy, the burns on Campos  body were consistent with the results of radiation. Further reports of the initial examination claim that he placed a paper clip on a photographic film and then placed both objects on Campos  radiated skin, and when the doctor removed the paper clip, its image had radiated onto the film.

Pedro Albizu Campos  horrors in prison would continue until March 25, 1956, when he suffered a stroke. Prison authorities transferred Campos to San Juan s Presbyterian Hospital, where friends and family members alleged no one attended him for five days. Pedro Albizu Campos would suffer tremendously in prison until November 15, 1964, when Governor Luis Munoz Marin, in one of his final acts, again pardoned Pedro. By that time, however, Pedro Albizu Campos was a mere shell of what he once was, but he was still alive and his family and friends were thankful for that.

Pedro Albizu Campos would live as a free man for the next five months. On April 21, 1965 at 8:40 in the morning, Pedro Albizu Campos  suffering finally ended when he passed away. Over 75,000 mourners attended Pedro Albizu Campos  funeral procession, which ended at the Old San Juan Cemetery.

From an early point in his life, Pedro Albizu Campos had made a decision to fight for the independence of Puerto Rico. He picked up where past would-be liberators had left off, namely, Manuel Rojas, Mathias Brugman, Francisco Ramirez, Clemente Millan, and others associated with the El Grito De Lares uprising sixty-five years earlier. Campos shared the same passions and dreams for his country as did the participants of El Grito De Lares, and he railed against U.S. occupation in the same manner as the El Grito De Lares participants railed against imperialistic Spain . . . but he failed in the same manner as they did, too.

What Campos did that prior advocates for independence did not do was to reach out and touch the collective consciousness of the masses. He brought his original way of thinking to light, and blazed a new trail of liberation without fear of reprisals, without fear for his life and without fear of losing his personal freedom. Campos had the intelligence to become anything he wanted to become. He could have been a wealthy lawyer, a chemist or a high salaried engineer, but he rejected those fast highways of opportunities and chose to follow the slow, bumpy and winding road of sacrifice and turmoil. He was a man with a singular vision, devoting his life to a single purpose and he never left that rocky and controversial path.

The deep love he had for Puerto Rico was the focal point behind his advocacy for his country s freedom, daring to speak out during a period of repression when use of the Puerto Rican flag and any talk of independence was deemed seditious and conspiratorial. Though he was not a criminal, he spent many years in prison and became the victim of torture because the state considered him a dangerous element and an enemy. The power of his speeches galvanized the people and planted the seeds of independence in their minds. Pedro Albizu Campos is and will always be Puerto Rico s national hero, not only because he fought so vehemently against his country s occupation by a foreign power, but also because he sacrificed his entire life to that cause. In April of 1965, the University of Havana conferred a Doctorate of Political Science to Pedro Albizu Campos, a crowning achievement to an already accomplished life.

It takes a very special human being to give up material gains; worldly riches that he could easily have attained because of his intelligence and academic achievements. Instead, Campos devoted his life to a principal, sacrificing his personal freedom and suffering physical brutalities in the process. For these reasons, we ought to commemorate Pedro Albizu Campos as a Puerto Rican national hero and as a martyr for liberty. Today, there are five schools in Puerto Rico named after Campos in his honor. There are streets in Puerto Rican cities also named after him, as well as two schools in the United States, one in Chicago and one in New York City.

I think there will never be anyone quite like Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, El Maestro. If he were still alive today, and if you (my readers) had an opportunity to speak to him, what would you ask him? What subject would you broach with Campos? I guess I would ask him the following question: Why did you not wait until 1952 to begin the revolution as you had planned originally, why did you move the date forward to 1950? Many of you might speculate that Campos might have acted on impulse, which caused him to repeat the same mistakes as those made by the El Grito De Lares rebels when they decided to move forward their revolution date upon learning the Spanish had discovered their conspiracy. Yet others might conclude Campos  decision to move the date forward a moot point simply because it would have yielded the same results. Perhaps history does repeat itself, but we will never know Campos  reasons, will we?

If Dr. Campos were still alive today, I would visit him and get to know the man on a personal level. Aside from my initial question, I would ask Dr. Campos what things about life brought a smile to his face, as well as what things did not. I would ask him what kind of poetry he read, his philosophical outlook on life, the books and other things that he found interesting. I would know the human side of Pedro Albizu Campos, a political lion, an icon of freedom . . . a man of and for the people.

Sources and References Used For this Article
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
La Esquina de Karde
Biograficas y Vida

Response to Article 27 - Albizu-Campos

Elizabeth A. Barbieri writes,

Thank you so much for researching this and sharing this story. It was fascinating and excellent, not to mention an important history lesson. As a conversation starter or questions that are asked in team builders for work, I have often been asked, "If you had to opportunity to speak to . . . (Abe Lincoln, Jesus Christ, George Washington, or whomever....), what would you ask?  I, too, would ask questions about 'cotidiana' (before that awful imprisonment)....what made you smile? Tell me what you do for fun? What was your favorite food or music or book? What was a typical day like? We can research history, but the personal items? Not too much. Thanks 

Thank you for your response Elizabeth. Unless personal notes or autobiographical accounts are found, where we are able to obtain a glimpse of the person behind the fame, we must rely on historical data. Pedro Albizu Campos did not seem to me as a very complicated man, but a man with a clear mind, a man who immersed himself in the cause for liberty. It is rare to find such people, and when we read about them, we seem to connect to them and develop a profound respect for their work.

Our Flag

September 2007 - Flags, they are seen everywhere in the world. Flags represent all kinds of things, from nations, to corporations, political and religious ideologies, to sports teams, and so on. So what is the importance of a flag? A flag is a symbol, a symbol of who you are, what you represent or what you believe in. Flags come in all shapes and sizes, some are colorful and bright, and some are banal and seemingly go unnoticed. Flags have been in existence since the dawn of modern civilization. They have spearheaded the vanguard of many armies throughout the course of world history, and they have caused religious and political turmoil; hailed by believers or condemned by detractors. One flag has even found its way to the moon and it is still there, undisturbed in the vacuum of space, as a testament to the achievements of man and the pride of the United States of America.

But a country s flag is a little different than, say, a corporate or an organizational flag, isn t it? A country s flag represents the focal point of its heritage, the tip of its cultural iceberg, so to speak, the banner under which its citizens unite. It is a visual icon for a nation s people, the very essence of their identity, and the funnel through which flows their national pride.

When I gaze upon the flag of Puerto Rico, whether in pictures, or whether hanging on the rear view mirror of someone s car, it reminds me of who I am, and where my ancestry originates. The Puerto Rican flag also reminds me of my family, many of whom still live on the island, and of the physical and mental separation from my culture. It reminds me of the Puerto Rican struggles, the challenges they face under a commonwealth station, and of the desires of many to become a free and independent nation. To me, the flag of Puerto Rico is a sacred thing.

With this in mind, I would like to make a few observations, and hope at the same time that my comments will not offend you, my beloved readers. What angers me most, what really makes my blood boil, is when I see the Puerto Rican flag dangling on a telephone or electric wire strung across a neighborhood street in New York City. With much dismay and reluctance, I witness a faded flag, mired in soot from years of car emissions; its endings ragged and torn, and long, uneven, strands of red and white thread floating in the air like the tendrils of a jellyfish bobbing in the middle of the ocean. As I watch our people s symbol of heritage flapping helplessly, it seems to beckon me in its gloomy and miserable silence, as if wanting to talk to me. In my mind, I see what it used to be but in my heart I cannot ignore what is plain to my eyes, a proud flag now reduced to a mere rag. I hear its agony, in a passive yet disturbed voice that cries out to my soul and tells me, Please, I beg you, tear me down from this wire and destroy the shame wrought upon me!  There are times when I walk through a Puerto Rican neighborhood and see a flag hanging from a windowsill, or covering a window of a five-story tenement building. The flags are all faded and so, too, are the windows. In my horror, I say to myself, Is that how they demonstrate their pride?  I look away in shame and I start to get a feeling of helplessness because I want to share my views with the perpetrators of such shame, convince them that they are doing a disservice to our culture. My initial inclinations are to shout at them and demand that they remove the dirty cloths from their windows, the filthy fabrics that once represented the flag of Puerto Rico. I change my mind, however, because I realize that perhaps they do not know any better, or perhaps they have simply forgotten about their indiscretion. I simply walk away and hope that a strong wind rushes through the neighborhood and sweeps the rags away, deep into the pit of oblivion.

I believe in expressing our Puerto Rican heritage, and to avoid anyone from misconstruing my feelings, I would like to make my observations perfectly clear. In the days preceding the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the Puerto Rican flag is as ubiquitous in New York City as the coquís are on the island of Puerto Rico. Many of my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters take the time and effort to ornament their cars with little flags, or drape the hoods of their automobiles with a huge Boricua flag. I like that, because they do it meticulously, with a great deal of pride and in good taste. The flags are clean and bright, and they draw immediate attention. I also note young men and women bedecked in Puerto Rican ensembles complete with matching baseball caps, tee shirts and pants. One young teenager had even draped a large Puerto Rican flag over his body in the form of a cape. Now that is pride! It is my opinion that we Puerto Rican Americans must take the Puerto Rican flag a little more seriously. We should honor it because it represents who we are and where we come from. It should not be defiled whether purposefully or inadvertently. It should not hang from a telephone wire or from a windowsill and left unattended until it becomes a grimy piece of cloth. I do not know how many of you will disagree with me, but then again, this is my opinion. What is your opinion?


Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments (Article 26 - Our Flag)

Angel A. Pla Jr. from Virginia writes,

The use of the flag is regulated by the Government of Puerto Rico and follows the regulations of the United States government on their flag. As you stated in your article, we should be proud of our symbols and show them with pride. The problem is that most people do not know the correct way to do so. Those of us who do know should educate those who do not know. The first flag given to Puerto Rico by the Monarchs of Spain in 1511 is the most beautiful and oldest of the Americas. It had a red background with a white cross of equal length on both sides. On the upper half the Coat Of Arms of Puerto Rico over a green background, [there is] a castle on the right and a lion on the left. The castle and the lion were of gold color over green background. On December 22, 1895, a group of 59 Puerto Ricans met at the Chimney Corner Hall in New York and organized the Puerto Rico section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party. At that assembly the flag, as we know it today, was selected as a symbol for the independence of Puerto Rico. The flag resembles the Cuban flag but the colors are inverted. The Red stripes meant the blood of the fallen patriots during the revolution; the white stripes meant victory and peace after the revolution; the equilateral triangle blue in color meant the color of the sea and skies over Puerto Rico; and the lone star meant the Island itself. Puerto Rico's Union Party and the Nationalist Party used the flag as their symbol. In 1952, the Legislature approves the design as the symbol for Puerto Rico and an official description is approved. The red stripes meant the blood of the people that nurtures the Republican form of government; that is Legislative, Executive and Judicial. The white stripes meant the rights and liberties of the individual that maintain checks and balances on the Republican form of government. The equilateral triangle blue in color means the Republican form of government and the lone star means the Commonwealth Government of Puerto Rico. The Lares Cry (Grito de Lares) flag is the official flag of the municipality of Lares. This flag was designed by Dr. Ramon Emeterio Betances and was presented by Don Manuel Rojas at a meeting of the junta de Centro Bravo de Lares. The flag was formed [with the use of] a Latin white cross in the center. Four squares formed on the flag. The top squares were blue in color and red the bottom ones. In the center of the upper left square, a white five point star. Mariana Bracetti made the first Lares flag. This flag was used as the symbol for the revolution on September 23, 1868, known as the Grito de Lares (Lares Cry). The cross meant rebellion and desire for the establishment of a country. The red meant the blood the heroes shed in the rebellion. The star on the lone over the blue meant liberty. I hope [you share] all of this information with others so that we can feel proud of our heritage and understand that when we disrespect our flag, we are disrespecting ourselves. 

Thank you for your email, Angel. It is nice to hear from readers that know their Puerto Rican history. Aside from the fact that the Puerto Rican flag represents our identity and heritage, you have also made us aware of how its details symbolize our ideals, struggles and history. Perhaps more readers will come across El Boricua s web site and see the article, as well as the reader comments, and maybe they will take use of the Puerto Rican flag more seriously. For my readers (especially those living in the U.S.) who are not aware that there was another flag, which once represented Puerto Rico (as mentioned above by Mr. Angel Pla), I feel you should see what it looked like. As Mr. Pla stated, Dr. Betances designed the flag and requested Mariana Bracetti to make it. Manuel Rojas, the rebel leader of the El Grito De Lares, along with his fellow rebels entered the Lares town church and placed the flag above the altar when he declared Puerto Rico a free and independent nation on the morning of September 24, 1868.

You may notice similarities between the rebel flag of El Grito De Lares and the flag of the Dominican Republic. There is good reason for this because while Dr. Betances was coordinating the rebellion against Spain, he was living in exile in the Dominican Republic. He was friends with and publicly supported the Dominican rebel leaders Jose Maria Cabral and Gregorio Luperon. There is no doubt that Dr. Betances  design of the Puerto Rican rebel flag in 1868 was influenced by the flag of the Dominican Republic.

Eileen Concepcion writes,

After reading your opinion, I began to consider the vivid picture you portray. It is indeed a sad, sad sight to see our beautiful flag reduced to a faded and torn shadow of what it should be. I agree with you 100%! 

Thank you for your email Eileen. Sad indeed, but perhaps we can educate those who, because of their ignorance, remain unaware of their indiscretion.

Alejandro E. A. Luciano writes,

I'm glad you have brought up this important subject. I believe that the Puerto Rican flag is the single most abused and overused national flag in the whole United States. I wouldn't say that it is a symbol of pride to wear a flag as a cape during the PR day parade or on the hood of a car like some Mexicans do with Our Lady. We should respect our national symbols and display them with pride and honor, and not this exaggerated "pseudo-patriotism" that makes us look like a ridiculous unruly bunch. Another thing I'm very much against is when a drawing is put on the flag like a coqui or bongos. What is even more interesting about that is that it is against the Puerto Rican government's regulation on the usage of the flag (Reglamento Sobre el Uso de la Bandera del ELA de Puerto Rico). Article 26, Section D-1 prohibits the drawing of any symbols on the flag. Also under section D-5 of the same article, it states that "under no circumstances" will the flag be used in articles of clothing. Pride should be expressed though our actions and be inflamed in our hearts, not in disrespectful and truly tacky displays of our flag. 

Thank you for your email Alejandro. I think that the outrageous and unethical displays of the Puerto Rican Flag by many Puerto Rican-Americans stem from the isolation and separation they feel from their homeland and their culture. The 6th of June (NY Puerto Rican Day Parade) is a day for celebration, a day in which the need to proclaim your heritage calls out from the pit of your stomach, a need that has lain dormant in your soul for one year. Perhaps this pent up energy gives rise to such blatant yet ignorant disregard for the flag. You tell me because, frankly, I am at loss for words here.

Should Cock-Fighting In Puerto Rico Be Abolished?

August 2007 - In June of this year, the state of New Mexico made the blood sport of cock-fighting illegal. On Thursday, July 12, 2007, the governor of Louisiana signed a bill that would make cock-fighting illegal in that state beginning in August 2008. With the signing of the bill, Louisiana became the last state to make cock-fighting illegal.

Now that we Americans have successfully banned the sport in our country, animal-rights activists are targeting Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States since 1898 where cock-fighting is not only a profitable industry, employing more than 50,000 people and generating sales of over $400 million, but a sport that has been a part of the Puerto Rican culture for more than 400 years.

According to a July 16, 2007 article written by Mr. David McFadden of the Associated Press, he quotes an email he received from a PETA spokeswoman, Ms. Heather Carlson: The cruel blood sport [is] illegal in every U.S. state and now it is time for Puerto Rico to follow suit." PETA is the acronym for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Mr. McFadden s article further states that Mr. Wayne Pacelle, chief of the Humane Society of the United States, plans to closely monitor the island s industry to ensure cock-fighters are not violating a new federal law that makes the transport of fighting birds or cock-fighting implements abroad or across state lines a felony.  Mr. McFadden s article quotes the following statement from Mr. Pacelle made by phone, We do plan to mount a campaign to appeal to the many Puerto Ricans who agree with our perspective that this practice constitutes needless cruelty. 

With Louisiana becoming the last state to ban cock-fighting, will the United States pressure Puerto Rico to follow in their footsteps? Recently, the Puerto Rican government approved a bill that established the sport of cock-fighting as a cultural right  of Puerto Ricans. The bill recognizes the sport as a deeply rooted tradition in Puerto Rico, but aside from that, it also sends a clear message that Puerto Ricans will not allow outsiders to meddle in their affairs.

I am not going to deny that cock-fighting is violent and bloody, and I m not going to deny that there is growing opposition to this unique pastime. However, it just strikes me as funny that the most inhumane sport, the sport that, in my opinion, truly represents needles cruelty  and requires banning is the sport of professional boxing. In boxing there are two opponents, just like in cock-fighting, but instead of two animals as in cock-fighting, there are two MEN that face each other and try to beat each other to a pulp. Professional boxers receive bloody lacerations to their faces, bruises to their bodies, and damage to vital organs such as the liver and kidneys; many professional boxers urinate blood the day after a fight. Aside from that, the long-term ill effects on their central nervous systems, as well as their visual acuities have been medically documented and proven. There is another blood sport growing in popularity in the United States called the Octagon , where two fighters enter a cage and beat each other not only with their fists but with their legs, too. The fighting is real and so too is the blood.

So why is it that the so-called humane societies, have not taken steps to ban this barbaric sport in the United States? Are animals that much more important than human beings? Can this really be? How can the Unites States ban cock-fighting but turn a blind eye to the violent and inhumane sport of boxing? How can the humane societies clean someone else s house without cleaning their own house first? Let s face the truth here: the reason why boxing is not banned in the United States is because it is a billion dollar business, and where money is concerned, well, you draw your own conclusions. Moreover, the innate lust for blood has been entrenched in our genes since the Roman times. Boxing delivers the quench for this insatiable blood-lust, and people pay to see two modern-day gladiators pummeling each other until one of them is knocked out or even killed.

It is my opinion that cock-fighting in Puerto Rico is a tradition, an institution, and a favorite pastime that islanders may find difficult to give up. Will the United States pressure Puerto Rico to ban cock-fighting? Yes! Will Puerto Rico knuckle under the American will? Probably. Will we see the United States depart from their duplicitous stance and ban professional boxing, as well as all other blood sports? Are you kidding me? What is your opinion? If there are any members of the humane society, I would love to hear from you. Please tell me why you have not gone after professional boxing? Is it because they do not qualify as animals? And please don t tell me that boxing is a controlled sport, with doctors sitting at ringside monitoring the fights. Having doctors at ringside does not lessen the violence, nor does it lessen the physical and mental damage that boxing causes to HUMANS. Why are you not humane about the inhumane sport of boxing?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments (Article 25 - Cockfights)

Robert Jason Jorge, Boothwyn, PA, writes,

Sr. Ramos, I am very impressed with your manner of expression on all the subjects, and reading your words makes me feel very proud to be Puerto Rican. I was born and raised in the south Bronx of New York city. (I never accepted the label of Nuyorican - we called ourselves New York Ricans back then) However, I would like to comment on the cock fighting issue. First of all, the islanders should not even listen or be pressured by the opinions from the US or any other country. They should take it upon themselves to ban the massacre of God's creatures for enjoyment and monetary gains. You cannot make a fair comparison between cock fights and boxing. Boxers are humans who choose to go into that ring fully knowing the short and long term effects of the sport, whereas roosters are thrust into fighting by humans for gambling purposes and selfish reasons. When a boxer is in trouble in a fight; a corner man or trainer will throw in a towel to halt the fight to keep his fighter from getting seriously hurt. In cock fights, the animals are egged on to fight to the death. No towel throwing there. My point is, this is the 21st century. We should all behave in a more civilized manner. To take a stand in favor of cock fighting because it is a Puerto Rican tradition is ridiculous. Let us show the rest of the world how intelligent and articulate we have become as a people and not let them make us targets for ridicule and contempt.

Thank you for your email, Mr. Jorge, and for your kind words. I got beat up by many readers over this issue, and though my analogies did not find much favor with them, my focal point still remains the same. Boxing and cockfighting are brutal, savage, bloody sports that are driven by pecuniary forces. While I understand your sentiments, I still feel that it is a cultural tradition in Puerto Rico. Personally, I am against cockfighting and all blood sports; something I have made perfectly clear in my previous comments. My feelings notwithstanding, Puerto Ricans and Puerto Ricans alone, should make the determination to discontinue the sport of cockfighting.

Ms. MS writes,
I just wanted to comment on your article. It is very interesting that you mention the boxing thing, because I too, think boxing is excessively violent, it is a great argument. Furthermore, it is interesting that on one of the previous comments someone accused your opinions for being the reason of why people have been oppressed throughout history. Not only were those comments completely unfounded, but that person displayed the most clearly racist attitude by stating that Puerto Ricans need to "join civilized behavior." That very argument of "civilizing" people has been exactly what racist leaders have used over the course of the history of the world to justify the oppression they imposed on other societies. I think some people need to educate themselves a lot more before they open their mouths and reiterate the ignorance that has kept even [THEM] oppressed for so long. Some people need to open their eyes and see the reality of our world, and the Puerto Rican culture. I honestly don't like the sport of cockfighting, but they need to realize that Puerto Rico has a very unique situation because of its status as a colony, territory, call it what you will. We are people trying to defend the things we call "culture." Also as for the lady who talked about the oppression of women in the middle east, I understand that point; but I also do not believe that another country has the right to go into a foreign country and try to change it so radically; it only makes things worse. There are other means of helping and invading another country and creating a war is not one of them. Also, this argument of liberating a people is as old as time itself, and has been used by political leaders for ages simply for money, and believe it or not some people are willing to do anything for money and power. I think that this cockfighting thing is not really about the freaking gallos (well it is), but about the principle that the US has taken away SO MUCH from us, and now this? So now, some spoiled PETA people who do not understand our culture want to take this national pastime away. Is it because they think everyone in the world needs to think like them and are INTOLERANT of different views or because they're bored and need something to care about? I understand where they're coming from, but I also think that there are cultural implications here they need to respect, and they're taking advantage of PR's political situation. Luckily for us, we can use this in our way too. Why don't these PETA people go to the island and help take care of the situation with the stray animals (which is a big problem in PR, esp. after the incident where tons of dogs were killed), if they care SO MUCH about animals? The stray animal situation is a MUCH bigger problem that [first] needs to be addressed [before] this cockfighting thing. They can get to the root of the problem then, and help to create a national consciousness towards animal welfare. But, no, they're lazy and simply don t care about our people enough to deal with the issues. If they try to ban [cockfighting] it, it will still happen illegally because this is a part of our culture. But they're not smart enough to think of that I guess. With Pam Anderson as their spokesperson you really cannot expect much. 

Thank you for your email, MS. Isn t it interesting the way people interpret things and then try to justify those interpretations with their own brand of reasoning? The focal point of my argument was that PETA should not intervene in the affairs of Puerto Rican society but rather stay out altogether. The people of Puerto Rico should decide their own fate, without the pressure or mandates of any federal agency, private organization or international group seeking to enforce their left wing, bleeding heart agendas. It is my firm opinion that in time, Puerto Ricans will outgrow the blood sport and seek entertainment elsewhere. Let us allow them the opportunity to make that decision rather than forcing it down their throats.

Aurora Yolanda Darroch writes,
Cruelty is not a given, cultural right. Cockfighting is inhumane and your comparison between it and boxing is nothing more than a slippery slope argument. Animals subjected to injury and maiming have no say in their outcome. Boxers on the other hand choose freely to earn money through this so called "sport." Once upon a time your brand of convoluted logic was used as a justification for human trafficking which led to enslavement of human beings, and in some places on this planet this reasoning still holds. This type of thinking will never be right. It is time for Puerto Rico to come into this century, abandon unwilling cruelty and death of animals and join civilized behavior. 

Thank you for your response Ms. Darroch. I guess you missed the focal point of my article. I drew parallels between boxing and cockfighting to illustrate the duality of organizations such as PETA. On the one hand they espouse their ideals against cruelty to animals but on the other hand they say nothing about the cruelty of boxing. Also, my article concentrated more on the fact that these animal rights organizations think they can impose their will on the people of Puerto Rico without giving them the opportunity to make social changes on their own. Cockfighting in Puerto Rico has been in existence for hundreds of years and has become part of their evolution as a people. To say that Puerto Rico must cease this cultural pastime immediately, to arbitrarily impose their will upon the Puerto Rican society without regard to their feelings about the subject whether pro or con, crystallizes the lack of sensitivity these institutions demonstrate in order to push their agenda in their idealistic crusade. Is cockfighting inhumane? Yes. Can Puerto Ricans do without this blood sport? Yes. Do Puerto Ricans want to ban cockfighting? Well that is something they must decide on their own. Social changes in America do not happen overnight. Case in point: cigarettes. The cigarette industry is big business in America and it employs powerful lobbyists in Washington to do their bidding. So how do societies against cigarette smoking combat such powerful conglomerates and the issue of smoking? They do this by producing powerful, thought-provoking and graphic television ads, by educating young people about the hazards of smoking. It is a slow but effective process, and, in time, they will succeed. In time, the idea of smoking cigarettes will be a thing of the past. In New York City, cigarette smoking is now banned in public buildings and in bars. Many hotels are going smokeless. Casinos have now designated non-smoking areas. The point I am trying to make here is that organizations like PETA should allow Puerto Ricans the time to make social changes. They should not think that because Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States that they can treat Puerto Ricans like subordinates or like a problem child that must be taught to obey.

Ivan Feliciano writes,

Ever since I can remember, I have been in love with cockfighting. Life would not be the same for me if cockfighting were to be abolished in the island of Puerto Rico. I understand these birds don't have a choice, but if I were a chicken I would rather be a gamecock than soup on someone's dinner table. These birds are bred with pride, given the best food, and given the best possible care . . . unlike the chickens that are bred for our consumption. The people who find this sport cruel have never held a rooster in their hands, [let alone] raised one. I could think of crueler and [more] inhumane things to do like taking away 50,000 jobs from people who love this job and this way of life, never mind the money it produces for an island already in debt. Why doesn't PETA go to Iraq and help stop the killing over there and let us worry about our gamecocks? 

Thank you for your email, Ivan, and well said. I think that personally, if I were a chicken and if I were given a choice,, I d rather die fighting than die in a slaughter house and ending in somebody s soup bowl, I ll tell you that for sure. But those birds are neither given a choice to die in the ring or die in the slaughter house are they? On the other hand, I do love fried chicken! LOL!

Zulma60 writes,

This is my first time on your site and I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work. Peleas de gallos are part of being Puerto Rican; [it s] tradition my people. On a more of a killing view, child beating is a crime and I don't see anybody working so hard to stop the killing of our children. So let's be real, this is part of our culture and for a lot of us who grew up in Puerto Rico, to make cock fights illegal is like making Spanish illegal. 

Thank you for your email Zulma. On behalf of everyone at El Boricua, I extend you a hearty welcome to our site! Please take the time to explore everything El Boricua has to offer, and you might learn a few things about yourself that you didn t know before, how about that? Regarding the fate of cock fighting, I think it will ultimately rest upon the people of Puerto Rico. They must decide whether the blood sport should be continued or banned all together.

Andrew French writes,

Hello, I believe the main reason cockfighting is unsupported yet boxing is supported is because animals aren't asking to be thrown into a ring and fight. Boxers are. Boxers want fame and fortune and they are willing to risk physical abuse for it. But animals don't have that choice. And what do the cocks get out of it? That's the reason most people are against it. Thank you for your time. 

Thank you for your email Andrew. So let me get this straight, you feel more empathy for an animal than you do for your fellow man, is that it? So because they aren t asking to be thrown in the ring you say, Oh well, it was his choice tough luck.  You see Andrew, when I witness such violence in the ring, as in professional boxing and Ultimate Fighters, I feel as much sorrow for the participants as I do with any animal being made to suffer. It is not simply the notion of man vs. beast, but the similarity of violence that both cockfighting and prize fighting share, a violence driven by none other than our own primal lust for blood, as well as our lust for capital gains.

K Jay writes,

This is in response to your article on elboricua.com. I personally think that cock fighting in Puerto Rico should be abolished. I am Puerto Rican myself, not from the island, however I still feel that this is a very cruel and useless sport. I see that you compare the brutality in boxing with that of cock fighting, which I feel is not a fair comparison. First, boxing involves humans who are willing and decided to participate in such sport. These chickens however did not volunteer to fight other chickens to death. They are forced and raised to be a fighter without a choice. So I can't see how you can compare the two sports. Should the U.S. ban boxing? No because these people chose to fight and they are willing to deal with the consequences. It's not that Americans care more about humans than animals it's the fact that these animals don't have a voice, nor do they have choices as us humans do, so PETA and other such organizations are like the voice for animals. Secondly, you point out that it's been a tradition in Puerto Rican history for over 400 years. Yes, this is true, but does that mean we must continue to support this kind of sport? I don't think so. It's a tradition in Saudi Arabia for women to have no rights. Does that mean that they should forever stick to this tradition and never grow just because it's "tradition". Just because it's a tradition doesn't mean that it must continue and/or the right thing to do. I think as a people it's not about killing a tradition but rather us growing and becoming more aware as a people to know that this "tradition" should be banned. Just because this is a tradition for over 400 years is not a valid reason to not ban it. Also, you say that cock fighting in Puerto Rico brings in over 400 million in revenue but then you say that the US will not ban boxing because it all has to do with money. Well if this was the case, then why wouldn't the U.S. cash in on cock fighting since this sport brings in so much revenue? If it was really all about money wouldn't they legalize cock fighting to capitalize on it? So, no, it's not always about the mighty dollar it's more about animal cruelty, which is what this sport is all about plain and simple and this is one tradition I am not proud of and neither should you. 

Thank you for your response K Jay. Granted, these fowls do not have choice, I do agree with you on that point. But do people who enter professional boxing have a choice, too? Not really. They mostly come from urban centers and they are poor and desperately looking to rise from their urban blight. They gravitate toward boxing because it promises them riches. They enter the sport at a very young age and they are raised in the art of fighting much like the fighting birds of Puerto Rico are raised. Regarding the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia, well that is a tradition deeply rooted for hundreds of years, but you do not see the U.S. trying to change their way of life, do you? So why should the U.S. force Puerto Ricans into changing theirs? Are Puerto Ricans any less important than Saudi Arabians? Regarding the money made in cock fighting, it is a mere spit in the bucket when compared to the money made internationally with professional boxing. Yes, it is always about the money, billions and billions of it. K Jay, I do respect your opinion on this matter, and I don t want you to think I m not subject to change. As I mentioned in my article and rebuttals to some of the emails, I don t particularly like either cock-fighting or professional boxing, because in my opinion they represent they same levels of violence. The crux of the matter, what this all boils down to, is the right that Puerto Ricans have to make that decision. LET THEM DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES. As you said, . . it s not about killing a tradition but rather us growing and becoming more aware . . .  I agree with you, but let us allow Puerto Ricans to grow and learn by themselves rather than an outside party forcing them into doing so.

Robert Rodríguez Rodríguez writes,

Mi gente, no rindan esa tradición con los gallos. Do not give up the tradition of the gamecocks, which we've loved for 1000's of years, even since before moving [from] Iberia. 

Thank you for your email Robert. Of the emails I ve received thus far on this particular subject, I cannot help but to note how deep the love for the sport of cock-fighting runs in the hearts of all island-dwelling Puerto Ricans. As you mentioned in your email it is a tradition that has been well-entrenched in our heritage ever since the colonial days, and has become every bit a part of our culture. Perhaps that is what most outsiders cannot comprehend and so they try to vilify the sport, as if it were something barbaric, harking back to the days of old. But, are we humans that far removed from the days of old? Have we truly evolved into a passive and civilized society? Have we learned how to live without violence or without the primal lust for blood? I think not, which is why professional boxing and UFC (two bloody sports involving HUMANS) remain popular with blood-lusting aficionados and thrive financially without diminution to their international appeal.

Iris Espinoza writes,

Fist of all I don't agree with U.S taking that sport [cock-fighting] away. It's been part of Puerto Rico for a long time. Second, we are not a State and until we become one [the] United States should not get things taken away from us. 

Thank you for your email Iris. I think that by and large, whether or not island-dwelling Puerto Ricans like or dislike the sport, the issue of banning cock-fights has taken exception with them because it is yet another display of U.S. societal intervention on another culture; a 500-year culture that the U.S. knows nothing about and where they have no business sticking their noses. Let Puerto Ricans decide for themselves what s best for their Island. Do not force Boricuas into doing something they don t want to do because this will further widen the cultural and ideological divides already prevalent in Puerto Rico-U.S. relations. It is good that the United States humane societies have rid the country of the blood sport of cock-fighting; their collective conscience is clear and now they can take the moral high ground without shame. Not so fast! This is only the beginning. The road is long and the work is tougher than before because now the humane societies should concentrate their efforts on professional boxing and Ultimate Fighters (UFC); blood sports that employs human beings. Until then, and only until then, can the humane societies stand without shame!


Ms. Eileen Concepcion writes,

Hi Anthony, I have read your articles before but for some reason have never expressed my opinion until now. Why? I'm not sure why. As background, I was born in New York but have lived in New Jersey all my life and have only just recently visited Puerto Rico for the first time (at the age of 42 -- shame on me!!). I have always been proud of my heritage and have learned to read, write and speak Spanish. I also cook authentic Puerto Rican foods. Both my husband and I are 100% puro Boricua; both of our parents having been born and raised in Puerto Rico.

I believe that cock-fighting is a gruesome "sport" and I don't particularly agree with it, but what I really disagree with is PETA getting involved. Having just returned from Puerto Rico, I have been infused with a new pride for my heritage. I resent more than ever Gringos telling us how we should conduct our lives, especially when we are talking about something as deeply rooted in our culture as cock-fighting is. Non-Latinos have no understanding of our culture, but they sure do love our island, our music and our dance. They are quick to judge without taking into consideration the generations of deeply rooted traditions such as cock-fighting. I think Boricuas should fight and fight hard NOT to give up this tradition. 

Thank you for your email Eileen. I agree with you that cock-fighting is a gruesome blood-sport, and I don t care for it myself. I also agree that cock-fighting is a deeply-rooted tradition and, albeit violent, a Puerto Rican institution. I guess what really bothers me is the double-standard here, the hypocritical nature of organizations such as PETA and the Humane Society of the United States, treating Puerto Rico as if it were their problem child , saying things like (paraphrase): they are going to closely monitor the island s industry to ensure that fighting birds are not going to be transported over state lines. How asinine can this statement be, especially when cock-fighting has been banned in all 50 states? Why would Puerto Ricans want to transport fighting birds over state lines anyway? How would they transport the birds, in boats, like drugs are? How about by small aircraft designed to land in some remote airfield, and the birds whisked away to some holding pen where they are brought out to fight in an undisclosed location deep in the bayous of Louisiana? How about stuffing them in their crotches? Well, maybe not that; it might be an unforgettable experience for them. The illegal transportation of fighting birds is not going to happen. There is no need for Puerto Ricans to transport fighting birds anywhere because their money is made on the island itself. I guess the question we must ask ourselves is what about professional boxing and UFC? Aren t they just as violent, brutal and gruesome as cock-fighting is? Shouldn t those blood-sports be banned as well? Why aren t organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States closely monitoring  those violent sports? You see my reasoning here, Eileen? Do you see the double-standard? Are PETA and the Humane Society of the United States placing more value on animals than they do on human beings? I ll tell you why, because PETA and the Humane Society of the United States are powerless to take on the behemoth of professional boxing.

The Antichrist Revealed

May 2007 - The book of Revelations, in the New Testament of the Holy Bible, states that in the final years before the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Antichrist will reveal himself. He will first appear as a compassionate and noble leader, and will gain much power and fame. The people will not know him but will hail him and submit to him, and he will come to rule the world as a benevolent leader. His benevolence however, will last for only three and a half years, and for the next three and a half years, he will reveal himself as the Antichrist and will plunge the world into what the book of Revelation says will be the period of the Great Tribulation.

Well, my dear readers, the Antichrist has already revealed himself to the world. He is a sixty-one-year-old man who lives in Miami, Florida . . . and is a Puerto Rican. That s right, the Antichrist is a Boricua and his name is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda!

Miranda grew up poor, in a housing project in Puerto Rico, where, during the early 1970 s, as a teenager, he was forced to steal in order to support his heroin addiction. While in prison, in 1973, Miranda claims that two angels appeared to him in a vision, and that the spirit that was in Jesus of Nazareth  came into his soul. Miranda converted to Christianity and later began to teach himself all about the Bible. Following his release from prison, he arrived in the United States and drifted from the Catholic Church to the Pentecostal Church to the Baptist Church where he finally began his religious life as a youth pastor. In 1986 Miranda began his own ministry, Growing in Grace, in an old warehouse in Florida and over the past twenty years, Miranda claims that his movement has grown to the point where it has congregations in over 30 countries (mostly Latin-America), 287 radio stations, a web site and a 24-hour radio and TV station. He claims to have millions of followers and plans to expand his ministry across the globe.

So what does Miranda preach that makes followers of purportedly millions? Mr. Miranda preaches that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means sin no longer exists and that people can no longer do wrong in the eyes of God. Miranda claims to be a living incarnation of Jesus Christ, and in January of 2007 revealed to the world a tattoo on his arm bearing the number 666. He then announced that he and his followers are antichrists because their beliefs are greater than those of Jesus Christ. Many of Miranda s followers have gotten their arms tattooed with the number 666, showing their leader just how much they believe in him. Some followers have donated their entire savings to Miranda s church in a show of absolute Jim Jones cult-like submission. Mr. Miranda has taken special aim at the Roman Catholic Church, claiming that its priests are child-molesters and that the vows of chastity are in conflict with the Bible s teachings.

The Roman Catholic Church has denounced Miranda as a false prophet, and South American governments have labeled him a terrorist, banning him from their countries. Detractors have claimed that he is nothing more than a fortune-seeking, money-hungry opportunist who draws a $136,000 salary from the church (some say much more than that), wears expensive Rolex watches and travels in a bullet-proof Lexus or BMW.

As you well know, my dear readers, I am a conservative thinker and I am compelled to put in my two cents on this bizarre subject. First of all, I have to ask myself something. What is it about our world society that compels us to accept something so quickly? What is missing from the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist faiths that force people to go looking for it elsewhere by flocking over to a new doctrine or ideology? Is it that yesterday s message no longer keeps us captivated, and no longer puts fear in our hearts? Is it that we have lost our hope in this ever-changing world and cannot find it in our Churches or Temples? Is it that we are stimulated by a new brand of thinking? Are we so weak that a new manner of thought sways our rationale? Or, are we just plain gullible?

I think that many members of the human population are in desperate need of comfort and reassurance. I think that they need to know they are not alone in this universe and that there is a supernatural power that keeps things in control. I think that they constantly ask themselves: Is this all that I am? I am born, I live and I die, and when I die there is nothing more of me. I think that as a species here on earth we all want to be more than just an indigenous creature. I think that we want that supernatural power to exist and the promise that there is life after death and that we will be rewarded for living a good and pious life. I think that we have had these thoughts in our hearts since the beginning of time, out of fear of the unknown. Maybe that is why thousands have flocked over to Miranda s teachings and have converted to a new religion that promises new hope to them. Maybe the reason why Miranda has become so popular is that he offers new hope to a disillusioned people. As a Christian myself, I must denounce Mr. Miranda as a false prophet. He cannot be the antichrist because the antichrist will not reveal his identity until he has achieved global power and become the leader of the world. It is my firm opinion that if we reject Miranda s message, ignore him and take him as yet another Jesus Christ wannabe crackpot that his financial empire will crumble like the walls of Jericho. And let s face it: it s all about money, isn t it? I m sure that if the potential for making money in religion had not been there for Mr. Miranda, he might still be a pastor somewhere in Florida or Puerto Rico or maybe still dwelling in prison searching for an answer to his problems.

So, what is your opinion?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments

Ms. Teresa Jimenez writes,
I am sending this in regards to the article #24, 2007 statement, when you were talking about "The Book Of Revelation" [there is no letter "s" at the end of it] anyway you asked or stated: how can a world or "people" believe such a lie? Well God clearly states it in 2 Thessalonians 2: 9, "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. This "Jesus' guy can think he's God and the people can too, and people can try and blame the church but let's not blame anyone and let's pray for them, let's ask god what can we do to help in saving souls."

Thank you for your email, Ms. Jimenez and for your correction. Regarding your thoughts, well, I guess we can pray for such misguided souls; something I think Jesus would want us to do anyway. But the heart of my argument was why do people willingly accept new or alternative ideologies rather than explore their individual faiths for answers? What is it about these radical departures that seemingly attract the downtrodden, the weak-minded, and the seekers of knowledge beyond the confines of normalcy? I wish I knew, truly I do. In the absence of scientific evidence, I must agree with you in the fact that these false prophets have to exist because the Bible clearly states they will appear in the latter days. I must further agree that God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe these false prophets.

Ms. Milagro Diaz writes,

Just recently did I come across the El Boricua web site and I've been reading your opinions on various subjects on a daily basis. I would like to congratulate you on your very interesting and well-written articles. This is my personal opinion in reference to your article of May 2007, regarding Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda, who claims to be Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that in the final days there will be false prophets trying to confuse people and claiming to be Christ. By the power of His Holy Spirit He will give us the wisdom to recognize who these false prophets are. Through His Holy Spirit, we will be able to discern what is and what isn't from God. That is why it's so important for us to have God in our lives.
In your column you ask, What is missing from the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist faiths that force people to go looking for it elsewhere by flocking over to a new doctrine or ideology? Is it that we have lost our hope in this ever-changing world and cannot find it in our Churches or Temples?  My answer to that is that it is not through religion that we find hope. You cannot find hope in church or in any temple. It is through our faith in Jesus Christ and by inviting Him into our hearts that we can find hope. When you develop a strong relationship with God through prayer and reading His word he will protect you from falling prey to these wolves disguised as lambs. As a Puerto Rican, I'm ashamed of this man. As a Christian, I pray for this man and for all the misguided people who have fallen prey to his evil ways. May God have mercy on them, and touch their hearts so that they can find the truth and come out of the darkness into the Light who is Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Thank you for your email Ms. Diaz, and thank you for your kind words. I try to keep an open mind on all religions, as they are based upon personal beliefs. Your personal belief is in Jesus Christ; it is your faith and there is nothing wrong with that, but Muslims believe in Allah and Jews believe that the Messiah has yet to come. From an objective point of view, I cannot say which religion is the true religion (though I have my own personal belief), but I can say that you are right. The strength of your faith is what will prevent you from falling prey to these crackpots and scam-artists. Perhaps we should not blame Churches and Temples for causing people to flock over to these charlatans, but rather on cynicism and general lack of faith.

Jennifer Hernandez writes,

I read this article on the website but I've also seen news coverage on it and I think that this man is nothing but a scammer with the morals of a slug who like many of these religious extremists who twist the Bible's words and make their own interpretation of it. In my opinion any one who has a tattoo of 666 isn't someone that I would be associating with, let alone go to a church where they minister. This man is a disturbed individual and needs to be put of business permanently. It angers me and saddens me at the same time that there are people out there who are so gullible to fall victim to a fake like him but he [cannot] not survive without the support from the public or financial donations. If you need to speak to [a] priest or pastor go to your neighborhood churches but don't empty your pockets to this crook! I think if people are not careful, this guy is going to be the next David Koresh and we don't need another Waco, TX incident on our hands. 

Thank you for your email, Jennifer. I guess the Bible has always been an interpretive subject and a tool for people such as Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda, David Koresh and Jim Jones. They interpret what they want to interpret, and they base their beliefs by taking the Bible s passages out of context for nothing better than to serve their selfish needs. They are false prophets that prey on the weak-minded, the poor and the desolate. You are correct that these false prophets cannot survive without the public s support and their financial donations. However, as long as there are weak-minded people, willing to accept alternative doctrines, there will always be people like Miranda; wolves hiding in the brush, waiting to pounce on innocent sheep.

Ms. Yoly Semidey writes,

Hi Anthony long time I haven't posted any opinions. This topic is very good because I have seen this guy in like in 20/20 or one of those magazine shows. He sure has charisma, but you know he is just another hypocrite that uses religion as a means to fool people into believing in false pretenses in order to gain financial, personal wealth. I mean come on people! This guy probably has no theological education and he is a former felon. They all claim they have found some type of God or another in order to gain early release from prison. I know because I work for law enforcement. Once they are out, most of them get involved in criminal behavior again and end up in prison again. The recidivism rate in California is very high because mostly these felons do not receive rehabilitation that will prepare them for life outside of prison. Anyway, I don't know what makes a person get hypnotized by these so-called "prophets" or so they think they are. Miranda is a very convincing person or so he thinks. Maybe his followers have stumbled onto something different than what they have experienced in their churches or religions and are looking for something new. But people shouldn't be so trusting, especially of a man that convinces them to donate so much money to him or his "cause". And someone that writes 666 on their body is not a religious person as Christ intended, he is a false prophet. I feel sorry for the fools that follow this idiot. I know he will never fool me to believe in his false pretenses, for I'm a strong spirited person and I can spot a con man from miles away. It's just too bad there are many that fall prey to these con men. I truly feel sorry for them because they are missing something from their lives and they are looking for an escape. But believing in a fool is not the way to redeem one s self. I do hope this Miranda guy gets censored by most countries and gets banned from preaching his cheap "religion". By exposing his false ideologies thru the media can we get the word out about what he really is, nothing more than another opportunist. 

Thank you for email Yoly, it was nice to hear from you once again. Frankly, I am baffled at the fact that Mr. Miranda has so many devoted followers. I mean, what are these people looking for that they cannot find it in mainstream Christianity? Is it because the current political events around the world, the growing violence, the death of millions, famine, and disease all point towards a bleak future, a future without hope? Has this end-of-days mentality contributed to a kind of religious cynicism that has compelled them to seek answers elsewhere? Yoly, I really do not understand the human psyche surrounding this bizarre issue. All I can say is that the Bible does talk about false prophets arising in the last days before the Second Coming of our Lord, and false prophets cannot rise without the support of their followers. So it goes hand in hand that a false prophet must have his followers. As you said in your email, by exposing their false ideologies through the media will word get out about these illegitimate prophets, these con men that prey on the weak-minded, these vultures who thrive on the hopes of innocent people.

April 6, 2007
Multiple Sclerosis

A couple of months ago, I received an email from one of El Boricua s readers who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis ( MS ). She calls herself La India Caribe, and in our many email exchanges, she told me all about MS and about her struggles with this dreadful disease. I was previously aware of MS and saw many T.V. commercials about it, but I was ignorant about the horrible symptoms and the terrible suffering that those afflicted with MS have to endure. Profoundly touched by La India s sincerity in her emails and her powerful will to live life to the fullest in spite of her daily sufferings, I asked her to write a little about her life and share it with all of El Boricua s readers. What you are about to read is a mere glimpse of what La India goes through every day of her life, and I am very pleased and honored that she has graciously consented to share this very personal account of her life with us. Also, as El Boricua is a cultural web site and not a medical web site, I am grateful, too, that El Boricua s editor, Ms. Ivonne Figueroa, has permitted me to publish La India s story in this article.

Anthony Ramos

DESPUES DE LA TRAGEDIA, VIENE EL TRUIMFO...UNA VIDA QUE CAMBIO POR INGUNA OTRA
By La India Caribe

Hola, mi gente! Mi nombre es, La India Caribe. I suffer from a nefarious disease called Multiple Sclerosis, MS for short. Some of the symptoms include paralysis and memory loss. I got diagnosed with MS in 1999, which didn't make a difference to me, given the fact that it didn't change my condition. It only gave me an excuse to blame my symptoms on something that had a name. An MS attack is like an unexpected blow to the body. It's inauspicious! To put it mildly, it's a harrowing experience! You never see it coming and it knocks you flat out, literally! My face goes beyond recognition! My right eye goes down to my breast! Literally speaking, I get transformed into a monster! My lips swell up and hang past my chin. Wow, that's a scary sight as well! Needless to say, if my face doesn't hurt me, it kills those looking at it! The doctors say they've never witnessed anything like it! What they really mean is: they've never seen anything so damn ugly! OOOYYYY, EL CUCO! My arms get paralyzed, only one at a time. However, both my legs go dead at the same time and I become a neurological mess. Que barbaridad!

Years ago, I dragged my body all over the house and up and down the stairs when I lost the use of my legs. I started losing the strength in my arms and hands, too. I couldn't lift a fork to eat my arroz con gandules! So, I would compromise and lick the food off of my plate like a dog. After all, I was hungry. The only thing that came to my mind was: mira paya, a lo que yo a llegado! Con las lagrimas I would wash the food down.

In October of 2006, I was transported to the hospital by ambulance. They took me directly to the Intensive Care Unit. I had pneumonia and asthma, and I was totally paralyzed from the neck down. My brain held my body hostage. I was trapped inside of my own body and the agony was both mental and physical! I looked like a side show, and looking back, I should have charged on-lookers for ogling! Admittedly, an inferiority complex set in. Tired of hearing laconic comments such as: Mira pa' ya! , or Diatche!   Or: AAHHHH man, that's a stroke victim right there!  Then, as if that weren't bad enough, they d yell, as if I lost my hearing along with my ability to move. M ija, no grite que yo no estoy solda okay? 

Feeding time at the hospital was aggravating. I had to wait until everybody else got fed before me (they probably figured, hey, she's young, she can wait.) Furthermore, when they finally got to me, they would be called to the office or to another room (Sigue esperando mija!) My husband and children didn't visit me everyday, so, if I needed anything I had to go without. Que hambre! The doctors kept me in the hospital for a couple of months. Then, pa' fuera! Off to a nursing home I went. At the nursing home, I was treated like royalty. Thank God, because my last experience at a different nursing home was revolting and a complete atrocity! I slowly and painstakingly regained movement, first in my pinky then in my thumb. Gracias a Dios! This was a "come-back" sign. HELLOOOOOO!

Each time I have a MS attack it has the propensity of lingering longer then the previous one. With that said, I need to add to my story the pain, agony, embarrassments, sorrows, disasters and triumphs I experienced on my journey back to health. Pain and agony invaded my body. The embarrassment came when I defecated and urinated on myself, due to lack of control. Pero mi gente, lo mas que me afligio - fue el dolor que vi en los ojos de mi nieto Phabian! Y cuando le pregunte al nieto de 8 anos como se sentia, simplemente buscando conversacion, me contesto de esta forma  Al igual como tu te senitiria mami, si yo estubiera en una cama - muriendome!  Hay Bendito Dios mio, si el MS no me mata, seria la contesta del nieto. Good grief! Que dolor de cabeza!

The sorrow in Phabian's eyes and the dive his grades took in school {from an A's to F and D's) just added to my stress, and I came to realize that my baby was traumatized. Hay un refran que dice, No hay nada mal, que para bien no venga!  Si la fe mueve montanas, que mueva este cuelpo no viene diciendo nada! La fe en Jehovah Dios es lo que me tiene handando. Me libere de las cadenas que me tenian amarrada y sali corriendo! Tengan fe mi gente, que los milagros todavia existen.

As I mentioned earlier, this is merely a glimpse of what La India suffers everyday of her life, but what truly amazes me about La India is her attitude. Though she suffers daily, she is very optimistic and very determined to live as normal a life as she possibly can. Her candor is refreshing and her humor, in spite of her daily struggles, is admirable. If you want to know more about Multiple Sclerosis, you may use the link below. Also, if anyone, whether afflicted by MS or not, would like to chat with La India, please send me an email and I will forward your message to her. If you suffer from MS and want to respond to this article, please feel free to write to me.

About Multiple Sclerosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

May 2007

María Adelita Reyes-Velarde, MD, MPH
Manager Underserved Population Program
National MS Society
733 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Phone: 212-476-0456
maria.reyes-velarde@nmss.org

Dear Mr. Ramos,

I recently read your article about MS. It is a crude but true account of the psychological and physical struggle that faces a person with MS.

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system with a variety of symptoms such as numbness in the limbs, paralysis or loss of vision. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50; it can also be present in children and older persons. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

Now a days, the early and on going treatment with disease modifying drugs can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for people with Multiple Sclerosis. The daily struggle is also lessened by the education, support groups, other programs and services that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers nationwide to the people with MS and their families. It is important to know that the Society funds more MS research, provides more services to people with MS, offers more professional education and furthers more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world. Anyone who wishes to know more about the disease or to learn about ways to help people with Multiple Sclerosis or current research that may one day reveal a cure, can contact us at National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867.

We have Spanish-speaking information and referrals specialist to help the Hispanics person with MS and their families with their inquiries and are engaged in developing new programs and services to the Hispanic Community as well as other underserved populations. We are moving forward to achieve a world free of MS. 

Thank your for your email Dr.Reyes-Velarde. Like so many Americans, I had no idea of the daily suffering, pain and anguish endured by people afflicted with MS. I am very glad to have received a response from a doctor devoted to the eradication of this dreadful disease. I am equally glad that you have provided us with a web site where we can learn more about the disease and about the on-going research dedicated to finding a cure for MS. I hope that by posting your response, you will receive calls or letters from El Boricua s readers, whether or not afflicted by MS. Thank you, and please feel free to write to us again.

February 2007
Should We Pull Out of Iraq Now?
Article 22

I try never to write about politics and religion because these topics are very subjective and interpretive. However, in light of the fact that we are heading toward our third anniversary in Iraq, I feel that the war in that devastated country, as it relates to the Hispanic community, should be discussed in our forum.

As you all know, I am a conservative thinker, who believes in the notion of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These inalienable rights should not be exclusive to the citizens of first-world countries but should be experienced by all of humankind.

The repression in Iraq, under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, was barbarous. There was no free speech, and the act of speaking out against the oppression in Iraq was tantamount to committing suicide. Iraqis lived in perpetual fear for their lives. Men disappeared, taken away from their families, and were imprisoned to be tortured mercilessly or executed. Women had no rights and their social status in Iraq was equivalent to that of cattle (as in the ancient days of Persia).

Saddam Hussein committed all kinds of atrocities, including mass murders of the Kurdish people, use of chemical warfare, and unimaginable methods of torture. In addition to this, his government harbored terrorists and if unwatched could have developed nuclear technology.

When President George Bush asked Congress for broader powers and funds for liberating the Iraqis from Hussein s oppression, I supported him. I firmly believed that Iraq was at the beginning stages of developing their nuclear arsenal. I also believed that they did have chemical plants and were well on their way to a campaign of chemical warfare. It is unfortunate that the nations of the free world gave Hussein too much time. There were several warnings and far off deadlines given to Hussein, and while the United Nations took their time haranguing and voting, Hussein s minions used the political lull to either hide their weapons or transport them safely out of Iraq. Naturally, when members of the United Nations inspected Iraqi facilities they found inconclusive evidence of biological and/or nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Despite these setbacks, we went to war in Iraq.

A good number of Hispanics representing the Marines, Navy, Army and Air Force, were sent to the Persian Gulf. Many of our Hispanic leaders claim that since the war began in March 2003, the Hispanic casualties have been disproportionate. Many claim that Hispanic soldiers more often than not are among the first to be sent to the front lines or selected to go on dangerous missions. Never let it be said that Hispanics are cowards! This is proof positive of the great sacrifice our sons and daughters have made in Iraq. One of the first soldiers to die in the Iraq War was a youngster named Jose Gutierrez, an orphan from Guatemala, who wasn t even a United States citizen at the time! If that doesn t speak volumes about the Hispanic character, then I don t know what does. Many of our Hispanics brothers and sisters joined the military because they believed it was a path toward a better life. After serving four years, the GI Bill would pave the way toward an education among several other benefits. Joining the service to some Hispanics meant a way out of their impoverished homes or neighborhoods with a promise to see the world and become an effective member of society. And yet to some, joining the U.S. Armed Forces was the fulfillment of a dream; a dream to serve their country with honor, to fight for freedom and democracy, to make the world a better place in which to live.

As we approach the third anniversary of the Iraq War, there is talk among the liberal members of Congress of pulling out of Iraq. While I am saddened and grief-stricken over the loss of so many of our soldiers, whether White, Black, Hispanic or Asian, I disagree with this notion. To pull out of Iraq now would mean that all of the sacrifices made by our soldiers in the past three years will have been in vain. It would mean that we could not finish the job we set out to do. It would show the world that we have lost our edge and our stomachs to fight. The United States is a nation of principle and ideology, a society that has always been willing to lay down its lives for a cause they believe in.

Let us not cower in the face of adversity like Spain did, because the results of Spain s withdrawal only served to give the terrorists more encouragement. In my opinion, Spain s withdrawal was a travesty because it showed the world how afraid they were. They were stepped on and remain firmly underneath the terrorists  feet. Though many of you might disagree with me, I still support my President. Furthermore, I will not allow anyone to devalue the deaths of these soldiers, especially our Hispanic sons and daughters, by pulling out of Iraq. We should honor our soldiers, particularly those who bravely made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefields of Iraq.

This past weekend, I was at a McDonald s where I saw an older gentleman sitting a table. He was wearing a cap that read: World War II Veteran. I walked up to him, introduced myself, shook his hand, and talked to him for about a half hour. He told me what he did during the war and he was very happy to see my interest and gratitude toward a veteran. So when you see a young man or woman in uniform, don t be afraid to walk over and show your gratitude. Let them know that you appreciate what they are doing and that their decision to join the Armed Forces was an honorable one. What is your opinion?

PS. As an afterthought I would like say that on Sunday night Hollywood s Academy Awards will be televised. I think that the entertainment industry is the only industry that awards itself so many times over. They award themselves with the Emmy, the Tony the Oscar, Golden Globe, Peoples Choice, MTV, etc., etc. I could go on and on but you get my point. Why would I want to see a show about people awarding themselves for singing and acting? I would rather see a show rewarding people for making positive contributions to society, not for making movies and pretending real life situations. Why not do a show honoring the men and women of the services, awarding them with medals for their bravery on national television? Too boring you say? Perhaps, but I would rather see this than the Oscars any time.

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments, Article 22

Leroy Z writes,

Due to my participation in a letter to the editor campaign for which the topic is the Iraq war on the anniversary of 9/11 I will produce and distribute my current assessment of the conflict. Prior to 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq I put the world on notice as to how the conflict would unfold via civil actions filed under the name of Leroy a/k/a Derek McSmith that I requested to have transferred to Washington, D.C. & New York on specific dates that can be viewed at the Office of the Clerk of Court for the United States District Court Northern District Of Georgia. The assessment will be distributed to (Clayton News Daily, LA Times, ABC News, The Miami Herald & Rolling Stone Magazine) on the anniversary date and will be distributed to no more than XL media outlets in the morning on the date that Gen. Petreaus will provide his assessment. The author of this memo supports the bill that passed the House of Representatives on August 2, 07 on a vote of 229-194 sponsored by Rep. Ellen Tauscher D-California relating to our troops. 

Thank your for your email Leroy. I will be on the lookout for your assessment on the war. However, as I stated before, I still feel that we cannot pull out of Iraq without completing the job. That job was to remove a despicable tyrant from power and bring democracy to Iraq. The former was completed and now we are close to completing the latter.

Mr. Arsenio Cruz of Albuquerque, NM writes,

You said in your article that we need to finish what we set out to do, and what was that, to stop the weapons of mass destruction and to get [Saddam] Hussein? Well, we never found the so-called weapons of mass destruction, [but] we did get Hussein. So, why are we still there, to fight a civil war? Not our job. President Bush says that we don't want to look like we are losers, well what I say to that is, I don't want our children fighting for Bush's personal [beliefs]. I rather look like a loser and have our children home alive than to bring them home in a casket. [President] Bush is fighting for the oil because he has a personal interest in it. I say let us use the oil we have at home and stop making Bush richer with the blood of our children. 

Thank your for your email Mr. Cruz. While I understand that you would rather have our children come home alive rather than in a casket, I must remind you that our children have made a choice, an adult choice. The decision to join the army or any branch of the military does not come with a guarantee from the President that they will not serve in action. It does not come with the guarantee that they will serve out their four years in peace, and collect their GI benefits afterwards. The inherent risk of enlisting in the military, and perhaps the most obvious one, is the risk of dying in a battle. I saw the need to remove Saddam Hussein from power because of the human atrocities his regime wrought upon his own people. After 9/11, we all knew that Hussein was responsible for harboring known terrorists of Al Queda and perpetuating his own brand of international terror. Not once did I consider the notion that there were any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but I still believed that Hussein needed to be removed. I still believe that we did the right thing, but I also believe that we simply cannot remove a despot from power and immediately leave the country without a semblance of governmental order. We must gradually transition the people of Iraq from a totalitarian regime into a democratic society, and this cannot be accomplished overnight. I feel that we should leave Iraq as soon as we transfer power to the new Iraqi government.

Mr. Francisco Nazario, Jr. U.S. Army (Ret.) writes,

I was pleased to read the article Should We Pull out of Iraq Now?  We need to support our military in this very difficult war regardless of which political party we are affiliated to. If Americans were to give our military every bit of support that they deserve, this war would be over quickly because they are the best in the world. Not only does serving in our military allow them to fulfill a dream for the future, it also allows them to serve a country that is truly the last beacon of freedom and democracy in the world. 

Thank you for your email Mr. Nazario. I agree with you because not only should we lend our full support but we should also believe in what our soldiers are doing for us there, in such hostile countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. To simply pull out would send a signal to the world that we have given up, cowered in the face of adversity; and that is contrary to the character of the United States Armed Forces. But more importantly, it would (in my opinion) devalue the deaths of the many men and women who have bravely fought in the struggle for bringing freedom to a foreign people who have only known subjugation by tyranny and brutality. As a retired U.S. Army soldier, I salute you, Mr. Nazario, as I would salute any veteran or current member of the Armed Forces. You are the backbone of our society, the protectors of our freedom and our last line of defense.

January 2007
END OF DAYS
Article 21

Happy New Year to all of my readers!

As we celebrate the beginning of the New Year and move closer toward the end of the decade, we are seeing more television shows and magazine articles concerning the end of days . We log on to web sites laden with theoretical views, religious interpretations and warnings about doomsday, and wonder: when will it all happen? Growing up in a Pentecostal Church, the preachers continually drilled into my head this end of days  message until I was old enough to leave home. But aside from the teachings and warnings of the Church and the beliefs of so many of God s faithful followers, why are more non-churchgoers so concerned about the end of days? Why can t they get enough about this subject and why do we all search relentlessly in libraries or surf the internet for answers, as if by some miracle the elusive answer will come to us as if through prayer?

I think there is an inherent fear within all of us; a fear of the unknown, fear of our own mortality, fear that there is nothing after death, and fear of a planetary destruction. I also think there is an immeasurable amount of curiosity in all of us, too. Many religions of the world have predicted the end of days  for more than two thousand years, and for the past two millennia, many humans have shifted their lives to become more pious so that on judgment day they can enter the kingdom of heaven. I have read the book of Revelations many times and each time I read it I get something new out of it. I have read many other books concerning the end times, and I have seen documentaries and shows about it, too. I recently began looking into the subject of 2012 and found some interesting things. The year 2012 is important because many people believe something great will happen then.

The ancient people known as the Maya were great watchers of the skies. They lived in what is now Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico s Yucatan peninsula. The Mayans kept a very accurate calendar based upon their keen knowledge of astronomy. For hundreds of years, the Mayans, by virtue of their vast astrological awareness, were able to calculate both the winter, and the summer solstices; June 21 (summer) and December 21 (winter) and thereby assist their farmers with this knowledge. According to Mayan scholars, the Mayan calendar abruptly ends on Sunday, December 21, 2012 at 11:11AM, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It is precise up to the second! It is also interesting to note that although the Mayan calendar ends in 2012, the Mayan civilization ended around 900 A.D. So why did their calendar keep going for more than a millennium past their demise? But my research didn t just end there. In fact, it took me to the scientific world of Astronomy, where current astronomers have already calculated that on December 21, 2012, our sun will align itself on the same plain as that of the center of the Milky Way galaxy! But that s not all. Scientists have also calculated that on this day, planet Earth s poles will shift, causing great worldwide calamity. This has been scientifically and mathematically proven, and such a natural disturbance only occurs once every 26,000 years!

Today the media has kept us well informed about global warming, greater frequency of hurricanes and tsunamis and tectonic plate shifts causing terrible earthquakes. What does it all mean? Are these natural events the precursors to the global catastrophes mentioned in the Bible? Is it the second coming of Jesus Christ? Are these events occurring by design; a sophisticated plan of action concocted by alien entities thousands of light-years away? Or is it simply the Earth getting ready to shift its poles, and nothing more? Has nature selected that date for the extinction of all humanity, much like the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago? As I delve more into this gloomy subject, it is my opinion that something will definitely happen on December 21, 2012, though I cannot decide on what will happen, whether natural or spiritual. I think it will be the end of the old age and the beginning of a new age. I also cling to my religious beliefs and to the idea that God will somehow intervene and will not allow for the destruction of his greatest creation: Man! What do you think? What is your opinion?

Want to know more? On your web browser, simply type: 2012. You will see many web sites concerning this controversial subject.

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

December 2006
My Memories of Christmas
Article 20

My fondest memories about the Christmas holidays actually do not begin with Christmas itself but with Thanksgiving, too. As long back as I can remember, the holidays always started on Thanksgiving Day and did not end until New Year s Day. I guess what made those days so memorable for me was how our family came together to give thanks to God for the many things that He had given us and to celebrate the birth of His son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving Day is the one day in the year that we set aside to show God our gratitude for waking up healthy every morning and being able to breathe the Lord s good air once again. We show our appreciation to God for giving us a roof over our heads, and for the wonderful memories of our parents and grandparents. We are grateful to God for giving us children to love and grandchildren to dote on. We give thanks to God for the food that we eat and for everything that we have. Though we may not necessarily have everything that we desire, we are, nevertheless, grateful.

One of my best memories centers around the kitchen table, where I used to watch my mother, father and grandmother, cut box loads of green bananas, and then grate them by hand, one by one, until a thick, creamy glop (otherwise known as masa) formed and oozed into a huge pot. I was always fascinated at how my father would patiently slice the pernil off the bone and meticulously cut the meat into small cubes. The infinite patience with which my parents and grandmother performed these laborious tasks and the loving care they took in preparing pasteles for the holidays was not fully appreciated by me until I began to do the same thing later in life. Believe me: it is not as easy as it looks!

While my father helped out with wrapping the 10,000 pasteles, my mother and grandmother would begin spicing up the 400 pound nuclear turkey. My father would always get the biggest turkey; it was always so big that it could never fit into any conventional pot. My mother would stab the turkey three hundred times, and then stick a green substance (cilantro, recao, sofrito, etc.) deep into the holes she d made with the knife, and then she would color the turkey with achiote. After my father was done wrapping the pasteles and stacking them ten feet high on the table, he would then go out to the store and buy turones, bags full of nuts, and several eight-tracks filled with nothing but Christmas songs from Puerto Rico. It was then that he would reminisce and tell us all about the parrandas in Puerto Rico, and how much fun it was for him to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas on the island. I remember my sisters and I sitting on the floor listening to my father talk about the parrandas, and wishing so much to be there in thick of all the merriment.

Thanksgiving Day for me would start by watching the Macy s Thanksgiving Day parade on television, and then Laurel and Hardy in March of the Wooden Soldiers. Then I would switch the channel and watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and other Christmas shows. Finally, my mother would call us all to the table where all the plates and glasses were set and where we watched my grandmother (a firebrand Pentecostal) pray to God for about four hours. It seemed that long to us because my sisters and I (by choice) never ate a thing on Thanksgiving Day until dinner time.

The day after Thanksgiving, my mother would shove us all into the car, and then go on her yearly pilgrimage of Christmas shopping. I swear: it seemed to me as though we stopped at every possible store in Brooklyn, covering every square foot and every nook and cranny of Kings County; that s how it was day in and day out until Christmas day. Now Christmas was an entirely different holiday than Thanksgiving. Christmas was even more festive and happier.

The fun would begin on Christmas Eve, usually after 5:00PM. My aunts and uncles, cousins and friends would come over with arm loads full of shopping bags filled with gifts. They would sit at the dinner table and eat pernil asado with arroz con gandules, drink my father s coquito, eat my mother s arroz con dulce, and devour my grandmother s pasteles. After dinner, the stereo would blare out Christmas songs from Puerto Rico out of dozens of eight-tracks, everyone would be dancing and no one could hear a thing. Someone would always be in the middle of the living room recording every event on a Super 8MM camera no sound, of course, but plenty of shots! This would go on until the stroke of twelve midnight when my mother would turn off the stereo. Then she would arch her body down to the base of our 900 foot tall, 300 foot wide, pine tree that nearly took up the entire living room, pick up the gift-wrapped boxes underneath the tree and start calling out names. Being a little kid at the time, you will certainly understand that the only name I paid attention to, the only thing that mattered to me, was hearing my name! Oh how I waited so impatiently for mom to call out my name! As my mother would pick up boxes and call out names, I would keep my eyes on the number of gift boxes remaining underneath our leviathan pine tree, watching it diminish until I could stand it no more! I was afraid my mother would take my gift and give it away to one of my cousins. Later in life I learned that she never put our gifts under the tree until the very morning of Christmas.

I remember taking all of my gifts and going into my room with my cousins. We d sit on my bed and open up every gift. There would be a ton of gift wrap paper all over the bed and floor. I d sit there on my bed with my cousins playing with Tonka Trucks, Captain America dolls, and games like Kerplunk and Operation. Occasionally, I d open up a box and find a sweater or a shirt. Disappointed, I would toss the box to the side of the bed and look for another box. By about 2:00 in the morning, when everyone had left for the night, my mother would yell at me and my sisters to go to bed. By this time we were all hip to Santa, although it took us a long time to recover from the mental scars of finding out there was no Santa and no Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and no elves and no North Pole and . . . well, suffice it to say that we did get over it.

My sisters and I would struggle to keep awake but in the end, we would all succumb to sleep. Then, on one particular Christmas day, I got up out of bed and walked ever so slowly toward our monumental beast of a tree. I poked my head underneath it and recognized the box. I then pulled the box out as quickly as I could. Wide eyed and gleaming, I tore open the gift wrap paper and ripped open the box. It was the latest toy! The one every boy in the neighborhood had to have! It was none other than the Johnny Lightning 500 Series! It had come with an entire track and a ramp where the cars jumped up and flew to the next track! Wow! I had been dreaming of that toy for almost a year! I had been pestering my parents about it for as long as I had been dreaming of it! I had been waiting so long for Christmas to come! It was finally here and so was my toy, and no one was going to deprive me from my Johnny Lightning 500! My youngest sister would open up her gift and find her ballerina doll! My older sisters would get their radio record players or something teen-agers got at that time. But all I remembered was my Johnny Lightning 500!

After watching me play with my Johnny Lightning for about an hour, my mother and father stood in the middle of the living room with their arms folded and waited for some acknowledgement from me. Of course, since I was so into my brand new toy, I was oblivious to their presence. My mother with arms still folded said, Well, aren t you going to thank your father and me for the gift?  Can you imagine the trouble and effort it took for me draw myself away from the latest, best and most sought after toy just to thank my parents?

These are but a few of the thousands of memories that I store in the depths of my heart. We all have precious memories of our childhood Christmas days. Some recollections are funny and some are not so funny but we thank God that we have them.

Christmas is a time of joy, of sharing, of giving to those in need; a time of year in which we choose to forget about our differences and love one another. Christmas is a time that we take not only to buy gifts for one another and to appreciate your neighbor but to commemorate the birth of our Lord and Savior, the Son of God who came to earth to deliver us from sin. As we celebrate the coming Christmas holidays with food, drink, dance, merriment, and exchange of gifts, let us not forget the real Christmas, which is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. These are just a few of my memories, what are yours?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments, Article 20

Ivonne Figueroa writes,

Most people have great Christmas memories but unfortunately some don't. That is the way life is. Not everything can be perfect in life. I have great Christmas memories myself but I also have other memories that are not so great. One thing we have to remember is that although we cannot change the past, we certainly have the ability to make what we want of our present and even our future.

I make sure to tell my family stories about my Puerto Rican Christmas parrandas  and related events. I decorate my tree early to get into the holiday spirit . We drink coquito and play Puerto Rican Christmas music while decorating our tree. My daughter doesn't listen to my music, but she loves it when I play it at Christmas and she even wants to dance. So what we are doing is creating a Puerto Rican Christmas mood. You have to 'set the stage' for your Puerto Rican parties that will create great memories for your family and your children for years to come. Decorating the tree is a holiday event; make it memorable.

I make pasteles  with friends and family and we play our music it is really a cooking and eating party; the music is on, the tree is on, etc, and the pasteles  are frozen for later. I have a rule that if you want to eat you have to work. That means our pasteles  making event (party) includes wives, husbands, daughters, and even sons. I try to invite another family and we share the cost. The more people the merrier. I end up with teenagers who don't speak Spanish, and eat mostly burgers and pizza, eager to help cook and searching the internet for Musica de Navidad  to download for us. This is an event your family and kids will always remember. Of course there is Christmas Eve all traditional recipes.

We don't forget El Dia de Reyes  either. Even my college-age son and daughter continue to put their box of grass under the bed. If they don't want to do 'the box' it stops. I have a box in the garage that I put parranda  instruments in. My box has an old guiro that was my Dad's. I also have palitos  (3 sets) and 3 old taborines , and 2 beat up bongos I bought at garage sales. I also have an old cassette player that is battery powered, and two cassettes with parranda  music. The box is ready in case we decide to go on a parranda , but since that rarely happens when we visit relatives or family during Christmas we take our parranda  box with us and stand at the door, ring the bell and play the cassette and bang our instruments. It is funny how those 'cool teenagers' get excited with this particular activity.

So, plan your holidays and get ready ahead of time and have a lot of fun making your own family traditions and memories for yourself and your loved ones. 

Thank you for your wonderful email Ivonne. I think you ve captured the true spirit of a Puerto Rican Christmas. You have proven so enthusiastically that the spirit of a Puerto Rican Christmas dwells in the heart of a Puerto Rican and not in the island itself. You have taken the time to continue this age-old tradition in your home in Texas, far away from our beloved island. You have also taken up the great task of handing down our Christmas traditions to your children, so that they too may know and experience the holiday spirit from a Puerto Rican perspective. As I read your email, I imagined your house filled with Christmas joy and love! Pa lante Hermana!!

Nice article! Sounds like you had a great childhood. My Christmas days were not as fun as yours; I don t have a big immediate family, so my Christmas days were pretty quaint. But I remember my art college Christmas parties. I remember sledding on lunch trays down the snow-filled steep hills of Purchase, New York. I remember, "Reggae Christmas parties", trimming trees while smoking trees; BBQ in 20-degree weather, snow ball fights, wrapping empty Christmas gift boxes (lol, we were really broke). I also remember kegs in bathtubs etc, "jungle juice", and jello shots; very fun times, still fun times today. I always hooked up the dinner though, since I was the only one of my roommates who knew how to cook. Here is mine and my design partner's website www.hi.hectorres.com. Check our portfolio by clicking on work page. Peace I. 

Thank you for your email Ms. Martinez. Wow! You really did have fun in college! I don t remember my college days being that exciting, but they were fun nonetheless. I m trying to place an image in my mind of you sledding down a snow-covered hillside on a lunch tray; you must have been going pretty fast! I like the BBQ, though and the jello shots but I m not too sure about smoking tress that s a little too much for me! I m glad your Christmas days were fun for you in college. Now that you are in the real world, I m sure you treasure those wonderful memories. Have a very Merry Christmas, Irene, and a prosperous New Year!

Diana Dorta writes,

Nice memories. I live in Louisiana and I get very depressed during the holidays. I miss all the family, the music, spending time together just talking, joking and remembering the old times. I m married to a Cuban who came to the U.S.A. when he was 5 [years old] so even he does not understand our traditions, especially the parrandas .

Thank your for your email Diana. While I can certainly understand your depression during the holidays, I can tell you that you re never too far away from your beloved island or from your people and culture. You can plan a vacation with your husband, and you both could go to Puerto Rico and Cuba. Try to plan your vacation around the holidays so that you can enjoy the parrandas and other fiestas.

October 2006
WE ARE NOT ALONE
Article 19

A few months ago I wrote an article about Alien Biological Entities or ABE s. The article was mainly about a furry creature with claws, red eyes, and long, sharp quills that ran along its spine. This mischievous creature was responsible for the deaths of many goats and other farm animals, and was actually seen prowling the Puerto Rican countryside. This creature is better known as the world famous El Chupacabra!

Since I wrote that article I have been contacted by numerous agents from around the world and given top secret government information about ABE s. Well, as you can imagine my dear readers, I had to treat this matter with the utmost skepticism and with a great deal of trepidation. After all, you cannot put all of your trust in anonymous emails that come from the highest levels of government, not only here in the U.S. but in Europe and in Asia as well.

After double-checking the source of the information as well as the information itself, I can only conclude its veracity. The data contained in the anonymous emails sent to me over the past few months is irrefutable, and its impact will send shivers up your spine.

For the past few months I have been debating whether or not to share this secret information with my readers and thereby taking a huge risk by exposing myself to the governments of the world. After much consideration and soul-searching, I have concluded that although the inherent dangers of sharing this information are high, I am compelled to disclose what I know to all of my readers. So, without further delay, I will tell you more about these ABE s; creatures with bad intentions that seem to invade earth with impunity.

In an email received from Chile, I have been informed that hideous creatures are prowling the streets of Santiago de Chile. These are harrowing times for the citizens of Chile because these creatures seem to be attracted to restaurants at night, looking for chuletas fritas! But the most hideous thing about these creatures is that instead of eating the meat off the chuleta, they suck on the bones. That is how this creature has earned the name of El Chupahueso!!! I think I ve gone too far now. Maybe I should stop.

I can t stop now. I must tell you everything! I received yet another anonymous email from a government official in Venezuela. This one is even more hideous than the one I mentioned previously. I mean this one flies, and continually circles the skies but when it spots a child, it swoops down on the child and yanks his sweets right out of his hand! Can you imagine how earthlings are being made to suffer at the hands of these alien creatures? That is why we must take steps to scan the skies and make sure that El Chupacandy does not infiltrate our airspace and steal our children s sweets. We must unite against these alien visitors who seem to show no compassion toward us.

In another disturbing email I have been given secret information about aliens that seem to be attracted to earth women!!! They have been seen ambushing women in countries such as Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Colombia. They suck on women s necks but they do not draw any blood. These creatures, also known as El Chupacuello, or known in the U.S. as El Chupahickey, leaves a red blotch on the neck of its women victims that seems to last for days. One woman, in Santurce, thinking that it was her boyfriend who was doing this deed, actually liked it. But when she turned around and confronted this creature, she fainted and remained comatose for days. I need not tell you about the mental scars that these incidents have inflicted on earth women.

There is one more creature that I must tell you about. Now this one is probably the most hideous of them all. I shudder to even think about this creature. He is known in countries all over the world as El Chupapanty!! I cannot tell you what this creature does, because the data is too packed with sensitive information; information that you may not wish to know.

By reading the foregoing passages you can easily deduce that something must be done! It is up to us, the citizens of the world to spur our governments into action. It is for this reason that I invite you to join MOFONGO (the Mutual Organization For Ongoing New Ghastly Organisms). As a new member of MOFONGO you will receive details revealing these creatures and their agenda for the citizens of earth. You will automatically be eligible for raffle tickets to win a trip to Mr. Kelvin Pena s farm in Canovanas, Puerto Rico. There you will meet Mr. Pena, an internationally-known cross-dresser, and witness the remains of his marijuana plantation after the terrible destruction caused by yet another ABE called El Chupapasto.

For the next thirty or so days, I will remain in hiding. I will try to answer your emails but if you don t hear from me, then you may presume that they ve gotten to me. But before I allow them to get to me, I will leave my friend from the United States, Mr. Jose Canyousee, in charge of MOFONGO. Until then, my beloved readers, please keep vigilant and watch the skies.

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments, Article 19

E. Peña from Chicago writes,

HA! HA! HA! I got to say, this was the funniest thing I have ever read re the Chupacabra. I couldn't stop laughing. I think I am going to read it to my relatives when they come to my house for the traditional comida de noche buena . Thank you for a good laugh. 

Thanks for your email E. Peña. I was wondering if you ve seen any alien creatures in your neck of the woods. If so, then MOFONGO is ready to hear your story. Carry on, and always maintain vigilant! To all of my readers: MOFONGO is a private organization dedicated to the investigation and subsequent exposure of all alien creatures invading planet Earth (lol).

Ms. Yoly Semidey writes,

Hi Anthony . . . I had to laugh at your story. What, you don't believe in the Chupacabras? You have to wonder what truth there is to this legend, or to what really happened to all those dead animals found with their blood sucked from their bodies. No eran marcianos! Okay, well it is funny anyway. 

Thank you for your response Ms. Semidey, it was nice to hear from you again! Regarding your question, yes, I do believe in the UFO phenomenon. That is what got me into trouble the first time, and why I had to go into hiding for one month. But by responding to you now, I am officially coming out of hiding, though it may not yet be completely safe for me.

By the way, has anybody contacted Jose Canyousee about the latest Chupacabra incident? Yoly, I think you should be the one to tell him. I cannot make contact with any member of MOFONGO yet, but I will rely on you. Yoly, you must tell Jose that yet another alien creature has been spotted. This one is kind of dumb because it seems to run into walls and get hit by cars. They call it El Chupadedo. Tell Jose Canyousee that he must add that one to the list. Also, at the MOFONGO convention in January, I will nominate you as secretary of our organization. I hope you don t mind.

A MESSAGE TO ALL MOFONGO MEMBERS: This year s convention will take place on July 2, in Roswell, New Mexico. With the approval of the U.S. Air Force and other interested parties, we have arranged daily bus trips to Area 51. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by several armed sentries who will provide you with a detailed tour of the base. I am told that sometimes, depending on the sentry, visitors are given a glimpse of recovered spacecrafts or even alien creatures, and if you are very lucky maybe even the Chupacabra itself! So bring plenty of tip money for the sentries and remember to book your rooms early! And one more thing members: please don t forget to dress properly. Bring as many bulletproof vests as possible and a very good pair of sneakers!

Package Deal Offered By Chavienda Travel, Inc.
Airfare: $ 225.00  Roundtrip (MOFONGO Discount)
Bus fare to Area 51: $ 30.00  One way (you may not come back)
Hotel Room: $ 60.00  Per Night Double Occupancy
Bail Money $10,000.00

September 2006
Are all Hispanics the same?
Article 18

Have you ever been annoyed at someone for referring to you as a Mexican, Cuban, Dominican or another Hispanic other than what you really are? And when you correct them, do they dismiss your correction and tell you it s all the same thing because we re all alike? Don t you find it frustrating that Americans are so misinformed or just simply lack sensitivity? If you find this misconception disturbing, then you are not alone. Many misinformed Americans believe that since all Hispanics speak Spanish, that we are all the same. Not so!

The Mexican people have a beautiful history and culture that s been in existence for centuries; a fusion of Aztec and Spanish blood that evolved their ethnicity into what it is today. The Puerto Ricans, like the Cubans, have evolved from a fusion of Taino, Arawak and Spanish blood, and their culture and history is just as colorful and beautiful as that of the Mexican people. The common thread that binds all Hispanics today is the Spanish language that we all speak; the last remaining legacy of the Spanish conquest. But other than sharing a common language, what other things do we have in common? In spite of sharing the same language, our cultures, heritage and manners of being are vastly different and definitely not common among us.

So, can I say that England and Ireland or the United States and Australia are all the same simply because they speak the same language: English? No! England s culture is vastly different than that of Ireland s and the same could be said of America s. You do not tell an Irishman that he is the same as an Englishman, so why is it that this train of thought can cannot be applied to Hispanics, too? I don t know why, and believe me I ve tried to rationalize it many times.

This reminds me of an incident that happened in an elevator several years ago. It was May 5th, and several of my colleagues were on their way to the bar to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday that not only has gained popularity with young Americans today but has found commercial appeal among American businesses, as well. One of my colleagues in the elevator wished me a happy Cinco de Mayo, and then he asked me what do we do for celebration on this day. I told him politely that I wouldn t know because I wasn t a Mexican. The others in the elevator laughed at my colleague, and I need not tell you that during the laughter in the elevator, my colleague could not hide his chagrin or the redness prevailing upon his face. I didn t want to sound off at him or make him feel that I was angry because of his naïveté, but what I wanted was for him to understand that he should never make that presumption again, but take the time to know a person s ethnicity before making such a remark. I must tell you though, my beloved readers, that he asked an innocent question of me, and that I did not perceive any hint of bigotry behind it.

In American cities today, we find many Hispanics from South America, as well as the Caribbean co-existing in neighborhoods. Though these urban centers have brought us Hispanics closer together, and though many of us have inter-married, there is still distinction between us. We do not hate each other but we try to learn each other s culture and co-exist peacefully. We enjoy the different cuisines that we bring with us, like ceviche, tamales, arroz con pollo, etc., and we learn the different nuances of our cultures and the different accents and enunciations of the Spanish language spoken among us.

Yes, we do speak Spanish but we are a diverse collection of people, with different cultures and foods that distinguish us from each other. What is your opinion?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments/Article 18

Esperanza writes,

I found this web page looking for the pig feet recipe. Yes, I have lost my cooking skills. I was taken by reading some of your articles, and you said it all in Article 18: Are all Hispanics the same? I always make sure that the people understand that we are different, and even our foods are different. But we must always respect one another, enjoy each other s culture and learn about diversity is very important. 

Thank you for your email Esperanza. I am wondering: did Carmen Santos de Curran, our wonderful chef, have the pig s feet recipe you were looking for? Regarding your comments, we each have our unique culture, food and customs but we all fall under the same Hispanic umbrella! Isn t that marvelous, to be different and yet still be the same? By the way, now that you have written to El Boricua, what is your nationality?

Marco Alemany, Esq., Orlando, Florida writes,

I want to thank you, first and foremost, for reading this letter. I only have one thing to say to all
Puerto Ricans living in the United States: SHUT UP ABOUT THE SITUATION IN PUERTO RICO!

Now the previous statement may have come out rude or disrespectful, however, what is it our business what is happening on the island? All of us by one way or another made the choice or the choice was made for us to be here in the mainland, so it is not our concern what happens there. Let the people living there make their own decisions and choose what they want to choose. Here in the mainland, there is always some kind of discussion in regards to what is happening in the island . . . why?

I am proud of being Puertoriqueño! I am proud of coming from one of the most elegant families of Puerto Rico, the Alemanys. I am proud of having part of my education coming from the Hermanos De La Salle. I am proud that my brother-in-law is a Federal Attorney and I am proud that my nephew was the only student appointed by Sila Calderon to the United States Military Academy at West Point (look it up, Roberto Perez). However, how can I be proud when ignorant people start speaking their mind in regards to what is happening in the island and the most eloquent statement that they can say is "pal' carajo!".

What can we do? How can we become the culture of the "Island Continent" as we have been described? How can we excel without having to compromise our values? Can you answer those questions Mr. Ramos? No one else can. 

Thank you for your email Mr. Alemany. My take on this issue is that Puerto Ricans living on the mainland feel a need to maintain connection with the island s politics and culture. That connection is what seemingly closes the long distance between themselves and their ancestral land. Some of us feel so strong about Puerto Rico s politics because perhaps we still have family living there and wonder about their future. Perhaps our love of the island is so powerful that it outweighs our sense of rationale and forces us into making irresponsible comments or unnecessary statements. Perhaps we have been away from the island for so long, that it has made our minds far too nebulous to make sound judgments when it comes to Puerto Rico s current and future political status. Your question: How can we become the culture of the "Island Continent", as we have been described? How can we excel without having to compromise our values? The answer to those questions is complicated, but I will try to respond. Literally speaking, it is my opinion that as long as Puerto Rico remains a Commonwealth of the United States, it will never achieve the description of Island Continent . To become an Island Continent in the literal sense, to obtain its own identity, Puerto Rico must be a free and independent country. Regarding your next question, we can excel without having to compromise our values. As an attorney, you have done it. Many of us have achieved certain degrees of success without having to compromise our culture, ethnicity and values. So what is preventing Puerto Rico from doing the same? Nothing! In the end, it is up to Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico to take action and do something about their future.

Amanda Garza Lightfoot writes,

First of all, let me say that your web site is fantastic. I enjoy it everyday. I have cooked several of the delicious recipes from Mrs. Carmen. I look on the recipe list every morning and make something new and delicious every day.

Although I'm not Puerto Rican, I feel at home at your website and can relate to many topics and discussions. I'm Mexican-American, born in Germany (Father was in the Service). I lived in Texas since I was 2 [years-old]. I speak with a Texan accent. I don't speak fluent Spanish, however, I can understand a lot more than what I can speak. What little I know, I try to pass on to my children. The older I get, the more important it becomes to me to pass on my heritage. In the past I've heard "What kind of Mexican are you?" Mexican Hillbilly, among other things. I guess what I'd like to say is that I'm very proud to be Latina and just because I do not speak Spanish fluently, doesn't make me any less Latina.
Your web site has helped me to understand that. I also embrace all Latinos; we are all brothers and sisters with similar backgrounds. My feeling of being at home at your website reminds me of the movie the "Motorcycle Diaries". The speech at the end when he said Latinos are all brothers, it's just geography. That was one of the best statements, I ve ever heard. We all have similar heritages-Spanish and indigenous. We are all beautiful people, all of us: Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican.... and all of my Latino brothers and sisters I haven t mentioned. Thank you for your time. This is such a great web site. I truly enjoy it on a daily basis. It s nice to see Latinos achieving great things. 

Thank you for your email Amanda. It s nice to hear kind words from our readers whether Puerto Rican or not. Regarding your growing desire to acquaint yourself with your Mexican heritage, I applaud you, Amanda! I also applaud your desire to pass on your heritage to your children. Your roots go back to the mighty lands where empires like the Aztecs and Mayans ruled, a land steeped in glorious history, enchantment and wonder. I ve been to the Yucatan peninsula, deep into the jungle where I came face to face with the pyramids and temples of Chichen-itza. I have a profound respect for the people who once dwelled in these lands; a resolute, coherent and dedicated people who lived in communion with mother earth and thrived hundreds of years before the European invasion and theft. Yes, my dear Amanda, that same Aztec and Mayan heritage flows through your veins, like the fresh water that flows through the winding rivers and creeks of the Yucatan. Embrace your heritage, and open your arms to receive what has always been yours to claim!

Boodawgmama writes,

Hi I totally agree about other people thinking all Hispanics are the same cause that is so not true. First off you also must be careful when you say "Americans" because I consider myself "American" even though my heritage is Mexican. The reason for that is because I don't know the half of what Mexico is. I think being of Mexican heritage we have it the worst because of all the millions of unwelcome illegal Mexicans. All Anglos think "Oh you re Mexican, well go back to your country because you re not welcome here." So I find it hard to place myself anywhere. If you've ever watched the movie Selena, where Edward James Olmos says, We're not welcome by the Whites and we're not welcome by the Mexicans, we have it rough on both sides,  he couldn't have said it any better. My great great-grandparents were here before Texas became the 28th state in 1836. They never had to cross any borders, this was their home from the time Mexico lost the battle at the Alamo. So when I say I'm American and other ethnicities think being "American" is white I have to disagree, because I am not white but I am American. Sorry if I sound rude I don't mean to be. 

Thank you for your email Booda. I don t think that you were rude at all. In fact, I think you brought up a very important issue for the Mexican-Americans. Aside from Texas, Mexicans were also in California long before it was taken by the U.S. They were in Arizona and in other southwestern states, too, before Americans arrived there. In fact, they are more American than the so-called Americans . Thank you for brining up this often forgotten fact. However, as a fellow Hispanic and one that grew up in the American culture, I can commiserate with your sentiments. You are an American, and that is true, but your roots go deep to your motherland of Mexico. And no matter what Mexicans might think of you, you are still very much a part of them and of their culture.

Ms. Irene Martinez writes,

You forgot to add African blood, as well. Spanish missionaries [originally] brought over the African slaves and [the] Spaniards [soon began] raping Blacks and Indians; mucha mescla! This is also the reason for Santeria, which comes from the African [slaves who were forced into hiding] their polytheistic beliefs in the guise of Catholicism, etc. I wasn't aware of the Arawaks being in Puerto Rico; glad I read that.

You are so right about most people thinking all Latinos are the same. Very nicely written and explained. I want you to write about Latinos who don't speak Spanish. What do you think of Latinos who don't speak Spanish? Are they [any] less Latino? [Are they], too influenced by western culture, or ashamed of their heritage? That would make for controversy, ha! 

Thank you for you email, Irene. Yes, I did forget to mention the African contribution to the Puerto Rican culture; something which many of my readers have reminded me time and again. Regarding Santeria, I really know nothing about that subject. However, it is interesting to note your comments on that subject. On the matter of non-Spanish-speaking Latinos, I don t think that makes them any less Latino. There are many Italian-Americans, Polish-Americans, German-Americans (and many more) that do not speak their ancestral tongue, but that doesn t make them less Italian, Polish or German. My children do not speak Spanish, but they understand it well (thanks to their grandparents). This is what happens when people from other countries come to live in the U.S.A; their descendents assimilate into American society and culture. If you do not speak Spanish, Irene, hey it s okay. You are still Boricua!! It s never too late because you can always learn to speak Spanish.

Anthony Santiago, Sr.

I was reading some of the comments sent by our readers in regard to our racial mixture and I would like to share with you the following story. When I was growing up in the Bronx, the phrase "Hispanic" was not yet commonly used and you were either "Black" or "White." My family has the physical traits of your average Italian-American and we never gave any thought to the race issue. My family moved to a "White" neighborhood in Queens and I guess everybody assumed that we were not Puerto Ricans since my mother's surname from her second marriage was Pop. I had been going out for a couple of years with this Italian-German American girl whose parents "loved" me. However, all that changed when I told them that my mother was Puerto Rican.

One day she came up to me crying and told me that she wasn't allowed to go out with me because I was Puerto Rican and that all Puerto Ricans had "Black Blood." I was so naive. I told her that as far as I knew there were no blacks in my family and that she was supposed to love me and not my blood.

That's when I realized that I didn't know a thing about Puerto Rico and my heritage; that and the fact that my cousins always stated that we had Italian blood, were the incidents which prompted me to do some research about my Puerto Rico and her people. It has also served as the inspirational force which has led me to write about my findings, which I enjoy sharing with the readers of Wikipedia and El Boricua.

It would be a false assumption to believe that all Puerto Ricans are of a mixture of Spanish, Tainos and African. Even though the mixture of the Spanish, Taino and African culture became the fundamental base of our customs, traditions and culture there were many families who immigrated to the island during the 1800s, when Spain invoked the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815, who kept to themselves. These families came from the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Corsica, France, Germany and Ireland. Most (not all) of the non-Hispanic immigrants intermarried with those Puerto Ricans of Spanish descent to maintain their "social" standing.

I have written articles about the African, German, Corsican and French immigration to the island. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that our island is the genuine "Melting Pot" where all the races and religions coexist. We shouldn't worry if we are white, black, brown or purple because we all have one common denominator and that is that we are all "Boricuas" and proud of it. What we must do, however, is to educate ourselves and we should always remember that our actions not affect us as individuals but, may reflect on the opinion that others have of our people in general. 

Thank you for your email Mr. Santiago. There are so many historical events and dark secrets about Puerto Rico s distant past, waiting to be discovered by her sons and daughters living abroad, that it baffles my mind that there is an apparent lack of interest. We should all take the time to acquaint ourselves not only with our culture, but with our history as well. I think rather than spending our time in fruitless arguments over our ethnicity, we should all learn more about our motherland. To all my readers, Mr. Anthony Santiago, Sr. is also known as Tony the Marine . Tony Santiago writes for El Boricua and for Wikepidia, an online encyclopedia, focusing on Puerto Rican historical topics. I invite all of you read his page.

Antonio Santiago Jr. writes,


I respect your views and you are a very intelligent man. I admire you for publicly saying your opinions, something not too many dare to do and in many of our countries is actually outlawed.

That said, eight Puerto Ricans here and a Spaniard say we are not the same. I feel ashamed of people who are so ignorant. If you look back at our roots, we all, at least presently, have at least a pint of Spaniard blood in our veins, every citizen from Barcelona to Tijuana, from Havana to Tierra del Fuego and Ciudad Panama to Guinea Equatorial and Manila (our African and Asian Hispanic brothers). Many have it mixed with African blood and others with Indian blood. But a study carried out recently concluded that Tainos and Mayas, who populated Central America and Mexico, had the same DNA!

I think the unity between Hispanics is not a curse but should be a blessing. While according to the Bible we are all brothers and sisters in God, Hispanics share more in common with fellow Hispanics than say, non-Spanish Europeans, and Australians.

I am a Boricua pa que tu sepas and I m always invited into my Mexican neighbor's parties, where I wear a sombrero and rejoice in the fact I can mix my Puerto Rican background with the Mexican one. I sing my ajuas and Mañanitas and I teach them how to sing La Borinqueña and we all do it in the name of brotherhood and sisterhood sharing and the name of fun.

At a time like this, when the United States is holding Puerto Rico at reganadientes as they don't even give Puerto Rico money to overcome the economic situation, and then try to build a wall on the Mexican frontier while overlooking the Canadian one (alas, terrorists have come to the USA using the Canadian border!) Hispanic unity needs to be highlighted even more as we need to fight for our rights together. The great Edward James Olmos, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to, went to jail defending PUERTO RICO during the Vieques cause and he is Mexican. Olmos is an example of how the great majority of Latino Americanos feel about each other. Or, like a sign read during the recent skirmish between Argentina and Uruguay's governments: SOMOS HERMANOS, WHY DO OUR GOVERNMENTS FIGHT? I respect you, for having your column and expressing your points of view. Thanks and God bless you. 

Thank you for your response Mr. Santiago. I guess rather than expending our energies in talking about our differences, we Hispanics ought to focus on our commonalities, such as our language, struggles of life, and desires to be recognized as equals, as one nation, if you will. To all of my readers, I have the honor of informing you that Mr. Santiago Jr. is the son of Antonio Santiago Sr. who is also known as Tony the Marine , a writer for El Boricua. Aside from El Boricua, Tony Santiago also writes for Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia, where he focuses on Puerto Rican related topics.

Frncs67 writes,

Being born and raised in Connecticut, from two parents whom are both from Patillas Puerto Rico, I can understand why Anglo American s, take our culture so lightly. The African black blood , [which] runs through our veins, is looked down upon by most American s for historical reasons and guilt for past and present indiscretions.

Due to all the negative history Americans have with Africans, they pass on their guilt and spread it around on Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, etc. The art of deflection is what I call it, and too many Puerto Ricans are quick to cower down and allow [this deflection] to foster and continue.

My own parents failed to teach me my own culture and history; after all, if you don t know the way the road goes, would you not need a map or a guide so you don t get lost? Else, how would one know where they have been and where they are going?

Compartmentalization of Puerto Ricans here in the states also fosters the Keep it in the House 
attitude that makes it hard for another culture to learn our culture. We, as Hispanics, as a whole do this all the time we are not inclusive to the extent we should be.

Yes, in our home we had our Christmas parties and festivities, but as a Puerto Rican, I know there is much more to me, I feel it in my bones and every fiber of my being. We are more than food, flags and parties, more than an island, we are a people. So, I choose to educate others and not infuriate.
I choose to learn, ask questions and teach others. Then, just then, maybe the day will come that others are not blinded by their own guilt.

Thank you for your insightful response Frncs67. While I might agree with your perception that Americans pass on their guilt and spread it around on Puerto Ricans,, I think that the lack of sensitivity is the result of disinterest and general laziness to know learn about other ethnic groups and their cultures. Let s face it: from the moment foreigners set foot on the U.S., they strive to assimilate into American society, and many lose their ethnicity within one or two generations. Many Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. have done the same thing; we re no different than any other culture. The general belief is that everyone has to learn to speak English and must become Americanized in order to fit into the societal scheme of things. We come in all shapes and sizes, whites, blacks and olive-skinned, but though our appearances vary, and though many of our racial lineages differ from one another, we are still one people, one voice, one nation and one culture. Indeed Frncs67 let s all of us choose to educate others and not infuriate them! Let s all of us choose to learn, ask questions, and teach others! It is the best approach I ve heard thus far!.

PSR122 writes,

I am Boricua but born and raised in NY, and [now] reside in Tampa, Florida. In reality, Hispanics are not the same! In my office we celebrate the Hispanic Heritage week, [a time when] every Hispanic shows their pride and culture and food for others to get familiar [with]. I root for food (smile). Me encanta los congri (Cuban), tamales, burritos (Mexico), churrasco (Argentine), mangu (Dominican Republic), do I have to list all the Hispanic food?? Oh gee you will get hungry! Hispanics speak Spanish but there are words that each country speaks or interpret differently. When I visit home in NY, people confuse me as Italian. When I speak Español, they [say], "Oh you Latina," and I correct them: Soy Boricua pa  que tu sepa! 

Thank you PSR122 for your email. Indeed, the food seems to bring us all together; it s our ambassador, so to speak. I couldn t agree more with you, and with the title of the television documentary starring Rosie Perez: SOY BORICUA PA  QUE TU LOS SEPA! If you have not seen it, my readers, then I recommend that you do. You will discover interesting things about Puerto Rican history. It comes on every now and then on the IFC channel, so you must be on the look out. If you wish you may go to your local video store and inquire about it.

Ms. Alford writes:

It seems to me that some Puerto Ricans have a problem in regards to "African Blood." Is it a bad thing to have African Blood in your veins? What's the big deal? I don't get it. 

Thank you for your response Ms. Alford. It is not a bad thing to have African blood, and perhaps this topic ought not to be a big deal. But it seems to have become a big deal, hasn t it? Perhaps it s because for those Puerto Ricans living on the island, those with blond hair and blue or green eyes, there is a problem in having to be forced into accepting this notion; a notion, which in their eyes is false. I cannot blame them or judge them but simply respect their feelings. By that same token, there are many Puerto Ricans on the island that are black-skinned with kinky hair, and some that are a combination of both. Again, I don t reject them, but simply respect their feelings as well. As we are an eclectic people, we cannot categorically say that we all have African blood because that would be a false statement. Those people that feel they do not have African blood have a right to claim that, and they should not be forced into accepting something they feel they are not. I would like to share something with all of my readers: my grandson is half Puerto Rican and half African-American. I love him with all of my heart and I see no color when I look upon him. Perhaps that is the way we should all be, and with a little wisdom, respect, prayer and love, we will come to embrace each other as human beings. Peace and love to all of my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters!!!

Mr. Fernando Fortunato Vizcarrondo writes,

I always smile when fellow Puerto Ricans try to decipher their lineage, as in your response to Rasta, even though it was full of apologies. To still insist that your Boricua lineage was free of any African bloodlines made me think of the very famous poesia negroide which I include for your readers. 

Thank you for your email Mr. Vizcarrondo. Notwithstanding the Poesia Negroide, I feel that I can safely tell you that I have traced my lineage to the mid 1800 s when both sides of my families settled from Spain. I have not deciphered my lineage, as you stated, because it was not ciphered to begin with. It was neither a riddle nor an enigma of races. I am not saying this to you to make myself appear different or better than anybody else but to simply state a fact. Why must all Puerto Ricans be forced into claiming African lineage so categorically and so arbitrarily, and without the benefit of a complete review of their own geneology? This is a misconstrued thought that has insinuated itself as a racial axiom among many of our people? Yes, my response to Rasta was full of apologies. But I apologized for not mentioning the fact that the African culture has been a contributing factor in the evolution of the Puerto Rican culture. If you have not researched your own lineage, then how can you pass judgment on me? How can you presume that I am not what I am? How can you arbitrarily say that all Puerto Ricans have African blood without performing a scientific study on the composition of our racial bloodlines? Are you basing your opinion on a poem or on hard scientific evidence?

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Barbieri writes,

I enjoy reading your articles and learning more and more about Puerto Rican culture. My background is Irish and Spanish (de España).
I am married 10 years to a wonderful man (Jeff) who is of Puerto Rican decent. He is the youngest of 5 and was the only one born in the United States, returned to Bayamon, Puerto Rico until he was 5 years old and returned to New Jersey to start school.

While growing up in the states, his culture was more or less "forgotten" or put aside. It is shameful to say that while living in some rural parts around New Jersey-it was not "desirable". That is a story for another time.

Jeff did make a couple visits to Puerto Rico as a teenager to see his abuela and brought his New Jersey friends with him that, according to Jeff "had the time of their lives and were jealous of my abuela!"

As he has gotten older, he is getting back in touch with his roots and I am along for the ride and having a blast! We visit the island often about twice a year and we are looking into purchasing some property. His Spanish language skills are close to zero (except when it comes to ordering food, especially his favorite: bacalaitos)! He is learning! My Spanish is more advanced than his but it sounds so different when I am on la Isla and I get a little lost sometimes! Which brings me to one of the articles you wrote-not all Hispanics are the same! Cierto!

We both feel that if we are going to have a home there, we need to assimilate and become more familiar with customs and your articles and El Boricua web site help us with that! People have been nothing but kind and generous while we are there. Thank you for your articles 

Thank you for your response Elizabeth. I am happy to know that you ve undertaken that journey of discovery along with your husband. It sure sounds like you both are having a good time at doing it, and it s something you can share with your children, too. As far as the Spanish goes, well, I think you can string him along until he s able to communicate effectively, if he should desire to do so of course. I am also glad to know that we, at El Boricua, have provided a small measure of help in your discovery. Write back to let us know your progress.

Mary Juana writes,

Original Text
Lo que mas me molesta ami es que cada vez que voy a buscar alguna informacion sobre puertorriquenos rapido le meten la chavienda Africana. Yo soy Boricua, reniego de nuestra sangre negra, y no somos negros pero parece que la gente Americana no lo entiende. 

Translation
What bothers me the most is whenever I go surfing on the net for some information about Puerto Ricans, they quickly throw in the African thing. I am Boricua, I apostatize of our black blood, and we are not black but it seems that the American people do not understand it. 

Thank you for your response Mary Juana. I understand your sentiments regarding your personal ethnicity; many Puerto Ricans feel the same way you do. However, I think your statements were more directed at Rasta s response a few days ago rather than my article. Rasta was born and lived in Puerto Rico and he merely brought to my attention the fact that I had neglected to mention in my article the African element that comprises many Puerto Ricans, too. Mary, in talking about our ethnicity we cannot ignore the racial and cultural contributions that the Africans made to the Puerto Rican mosaic. Though you, and many like you, may not have any African blood, there are many Puerto Ricans that do. And so when we talk about our Puerto Rican heritage, we must take the African element into consideration.

Rasta writes,

As a proud Boricua you have greatly disappointed me in your major omission of the many African ethnic groups (Yoruba, Congo, Ashanti, etc.), that contributed to your supposed fusion of Taino, Arawak and Spanish blood  (to quote you). This saddens me greatly; it is the reason that many of us refer to ourselves as Afro-Boricua these days. Of my four grandparents, only one (my mother's mom) would be classified in the US as "Black" but my physical appearance firmly identifies me as a person of African descent. I would never omit the African from the Boricua "fusion", and yet, I wonder more how you could.

Maybe you were simply describing 'your' bloodlines and maybe you would wonder why I would give so much weight to your omission. Maybe your family does not look like mine, which I tend to think is a typical Boricua family. I have first cousins of every complexion imaginable blondes, redheads, brunettes, straight hair, wavy hair and kinky hair. Then I gave you the benefit of the doubt and thought to myself; maybe his family is from up in the mountains and not from the coast like mine. Then again, my mother's father was from the mountains, a proud Corsican-Taino man and he married the little Black woman who was my grandma. My father's father was a second generation Spaniard who married a Taino-Spanish Mestiza (my other grandma). I doubt if my very 'Hispanic looking' grandfather would have omitted the African from our Boricua "fusion".

We all don't look like Ricky Martin but I have noticed many Puerto Ricans in the US who bleach our identity for the benefit of gringos and assimilation. Maybe you've gotten used to leaving out the African for the benefit of your Anglo friends. I hope you never shame our heritage like that again. If you omit the African from our language, our music, our art, our food you would be left with the sullen culture of the conquistadors, instead of the vibrant culture that we can call our own. Notice I say: 'we' even though you left me out of your equation "hermano".

Our 'fusion' is: Spanish, African (including Arab-Moors), Taino, Irish, Corsican and Canary Islands, to name the majority. By the way, I was born 'en la Isla' and lived 'en la Isla'. I have a Spanish language (only) Blog, so that I combat this idea that millions of Afro-Latinos don't exist. 

Thank your for your response Rasta. I say to you, Rasta, and to every Afro-Boricua out there, please accept my sincere apologies for omitting perhaps the most important ethnic element in our cultural composition. I was remiss in the omission of the African culture, but I am happy that you have pinpointed my negligence and corrected me. Also, you are correct in your deductive reasoning about my bloodlines, which originate in the mountains of Orocovis and Utuado, and descend from the Catalonian and Basque regions of Spain. To echo your statement: yes, millions of Aftro-Latinos do exist and they are every bit a part our Hispanic culture! I will never exclude the Afro-Latinos again, but if I do, I take comfort in the fact that you, Rasta, will be there to correct me again.

Ivonne Figueroa writes,

In response to your question, of course we are not all the same. We enjoy a common ancestry, the Spanish Heritage and traditions from 'mother' Spain, and we speak Spanish, but we all have our own homeland traditions, customs, colloquialisms, history, food, etc. I am so glad to say that all Hispanics are cousins, we are primos, part of a big family and I am very much proud of that. It is fun to learn about our differences and our similarities, and fun to try new foods and actually different ways to eat the same foods we eat in Puerto Rico.

Since I live in the Southwest, most people confuse me with being a Mexican-American. I get the very same comments you mentioned, but that is normal and natural. I usually ignore the comments and say, I am going to the parade or festival. When I do have a chance to explain the differences between us 'cousins', I use the very same example you used in the article about Americans, British, and Australians all speaking the same language but being different, etc. It is a great argument. 

Thank you for your response Ivonne. Indeed, learning about other Hispanic cultures is a lot of fun, especially the food part! Perhaps we may never be able to get that message across to Americans, but we know who we are, and we know that we each have our individual identities. So in the long run, I won t lose too much sleep over this American misconception.

Puerto Rico s Future Revisited
Article 17

I was invited to join an internet group called Diaspora, a forum where the members discuss current topics relating to Puerto Rico and to Puerto Ricans both living on the island and on the mainland. Among the hotly debated and often recurring topics is the future of Puerto Rico s status. Some months ago, you will recall that I wrote an article entitled: The Question of Puerto Rico s Future: Commonwealth, Statehood or Independence, Article 8. In this article I wrote about the pros and cons regarding each of Puerto Rico s possible futures.

A fellow Diaspora member provided the group with an article written by Megan Scott, entitled: Puerto Rico s future debated. The article was published by the Lexington Herald-Leader, a Lexington, Kentucky newspaper, and it appeared on its July 26, 2006 publication. It is interesting to note the many similarities between this article and the one I wrote back in September 2005. Anyway, the reason why I am writing about Puerto Rico s future is because the article that Ms. Megan Scott wrote did not bring a fresh perspective to this very important issue; it simply rehashed the same old issues that we have come to know so well and have discussed at great lengths. The second reason for writing about this issue again is because I still receive emails from El Boricua s readers.

As you all know, I believe that Puerto Rico should explore the possibilities of becoming an independent nation. But those are my personal feelings, and I never try to persuade anyone to think like me because I feel that everyone should have their own opinions free of outside influence. I have always said that the final decision on Puerto Rico s future, whether commonwealth, statehood or independence, will ultimately rest upon the shoulders of the Puerto Rican people. As a Puerto Rican American, I will respect and honor whatever decision is made because it will be based upon the majority and the will of the Puerto Rican people.

My previous statements notwithstanding, I remain curious about how El Boricua s readers, if given a chance, would vote. For this reason I would like to conduct a poll with El Boricua s readers. I would like to know which future you would vote for: a) continued Commonwealth status;
b) Statehood; or
c) Independence.

So, if it isn t too much trouble, please send me an email telling me which future you would vote for and why. Hopefully if I get enough emails, I will post the results on this page.

If you are interested in reading Ms. Megan Scott s article, please email me and I will forward it to you, or you can search the web for the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Minaya s Mets Management Madness Revisited

Back in February 2006, I wrote about the unnecessary fuss that certain New York sports radio personalities made over Omar Minaya s acquisition of ball players for the New York Mets. Way back in February, even before the start of spring training, I wrote that Omar Minaya, as the new General Manager of the New York Mets, was doing a good job in acquiring the ball players desperately needed by his team. The fuss that these radio personalities made (I will not mention their names) arose out of the fact that the newly acquired players were nearly all Hispanics.

In case you are not following the progress of the New York Mets and the success of Omar Minaya, let me bring you up to date. As of Friday, July 28, 2006, the New York Mets were in sole possession of first place in the National League Eastern Division. Not only were the Mets in first place but as of Friday, they had a commanding 12 game lead on the second place Atlanta Braves. Now I know it s still too early to give Mr. Minaya his due accolades, and I realize that in baseball a 12 game lead can be cut short in no time at all, but I have to say that the New York Mets have far exceed any of my expectations. Regardless of where the Mets end up this year, or how far they will go in the playoffs, we must agree that Omar Minaya has already turned the team around.

As I stated in Article 13, I have been and always will be a die hard Yankees fan. But since I felt that the media (radio in this case) was wrong to pass judgment on Mr. Minaya without giving him the opportunity to prove himself, and because of the fact this Dominican man and fellow Hispanic was forced to defend his actions, I have been rooting for the New York Mets. It is interesting to know that no other General Manager in the history of baseball has had to defend his actions based upon the issue of ethnicity.

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Day of Celebration

On Sunday, June 9, 2006, I was home and working on my computer. I turned on my television and flipped through the channels several times until I came across the live telecast of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. At first I thought about changing the channel to watch something else, but something caught my attention. I noticed that the famous rapper, Fat Joe, was sitting alongside Ernie Anastos (a popular New York City news personality) as a fellow broadcaster of the parade.

Despite the fact that this was Fat Joe s first foray as co-host of a nationally televised event, he did a very good job. He came across as a very warm-hearted and sincere person filled with enthusiasm and pride. Many famous Puerto Rican personalities participated in the parade. Among the many that made a pit stop at the broadcast booth to speak with Fat Joe and Ernie, were Geraldo Rivera, Jimmy Smits and Rosie Perez. The parade was led by that famous couple, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.

I watched most of the parade and was terribly impressed at the sight of so many colorful floats, beautiful women and handsome Puerto Rican men, and as I heard the vibrant sounds of our Salsa music blaring out of speakers, I couldn t help but to feel very proud to be a Puerto Rican. The Puerto Rican Day Parade has grown so much in popularity that it is now broadcast nationally. Many of the participants in the parade not only came from New York City, but from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Florida and many other states. A great number of participants even came from Puerto Rico. To see the streets lined on both sides by hundreds of thousands of Puerto Rican spectators enjoying the parade, and seeing the genuine pride that their faces reflected, was truly a breath-taking sight.

But what does this beautiful parade mean to us? For me, the parade is something that magically brings us all together for one day. It is a massive forum for Puerto Ricans to express their pride and solidarity. For that one day, we are all as one, whether we come from Puerto Rico or whether we come from as far away as California. For that one day, all of our ideological differences with regard to politics, religion and philosophy vanish into the black asphalt of 5th Avenue, and supplanted by the convergence of our minds and souls in a prideful celebration. For me, the parade fills my heart with the desire to visit Puerto Rico again. My daughter is dying to visit Puerto Rico. I have promised her that I will take her not only to San Juan but to my father s home town of Orocovis, and my mother s home town of Utuado. I want her to know her roots and learn all about our beautiful Spanish and Taino heritage. I know her visit to our enchanted island will change her dramatically, as it changed me when I first visited Puerto Rico for the first time. And by change, I mean that all confusions I had about who and what I was disappeared, and I came to embrace my Puerto Rican heritage with open arms.

When the parade was finally over and the station switched to broadcast something else, the event it left an indelible impression inside of me but it also left me with an empty feeling. I didn t want the parade to end, and I didn t want the celebration to end either. It frustrated me to think that I would have to wait until next June to see the parade again. So, my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters out there, what does the Puerto Rican Day Parade do for you? How does it make you feel? What impact do you feel the parade has on the Puerto Rican people?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments (Article 16/Day of Celebration)

Llope46 writes,

If you visit Puerto Rico with your daughter, I don't know how long it's been since you visited, both of you are going to enjoy it. I was there in April and the island is beautiful. Please try to go around the island and don't miss "GUAVATE", in Caguas. Live music in every kiosk and not forgetting the food. Lechon en la vara, arroz con gandules, guineitos, ensalada de pulpo, maduros fritos, morsillas, etc. etc. Y BARATO! QUE DISFRUTEN! 

Thank you for your email Llope. Well it s been a long time since I was last in Puerto Rico, my friend. And I plan to do just that: go around the island, to places I have never before visited. I ll try to make a stop in Guavate, and experience the music and DEFINITELY THE FOOD!

RgArn writes,

I, very much, enjoyed watching the parade. The only thing I didn't like was that the spectators were so loud. Whenever someone walked up to them with a microphone, they would yell and scream. One spectator was asked what Boricua  meant, and she responded, Puerto Rican power . Well, that's not what it means, and that's not what the parade was about. Anyway, other than that, I did enjoy the parade. 

Thank you for your response RgArn. I guess some people get caught up in the excitement of the moment and express their feelings by yelling and screaming. Some people are less vocal, but are equally excited. These are individual expressions that shouldn t be judged too harshly. Regarding the Puerto Rican woman s comment that Boricua  means Puerto Rican power, I agree with you that it is an incorrect definition, and should not be connoted with the Puerto Rican Day parade either. But, although you said you enjoyed watching the parade, you did not tell us what the parade meant to you. I invite you to write back and share with us your reflections on the parade.

To Be Or Not To Be An Illegal Alien

A couple of weeks ago, millions of illegal immigrants walked off their jobs for one day in an effort to show the people of the United States just how important the workforce is without them. They also walked off their jobs in protest over House Resolution 4437-Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act, an immigration bill that was introduced to Congress for ratification in December 2005. I m not going into the specifics about House Resolution Bill 4437, but I will talk about the illegal immigration issue and its effect on all Hispanics in North America today.

The United States has stepped up its efforts against illegal immigration by reinforcing its southern borders with miles and miles of fencing, increasing border patrols and dispatching 6,000 soldiers to help stem the rising tide of non-U.S. citizens entering the country every day. House Resolution Bill 4437 even cites Alien street gangs as inadmissible, and rightly so. But, on the other hand, in New York City, in the Brighton Beach area, Russian mobsters have carved a niche in the so-called underworld of crime. How did these criminals get here? Why didn t the U.S. screen these people like they screen the people coming from south of the border?

Another issue behind these China Great Wall measures is that if illegal immigrants are held back from crossing the southern borders, employers will be unable to hire them, and thus cannot pay them the ridiculously low wages under the table  or off the books , as so many of them are willing to accept. This will then force U.S. employers to hire legal immigrants and pay them at least the minimum wage; an idea that they may not particularly like.

So why do we not hear about the efforts the United States is taking to protect its northern borders? Has the United States taken the same measures to protect its northern borders from illegal immigrants as it has done with its southern borders? Didn t a few of the Islamic terrorists responsible for 9/11 enter the U.S. illegally through Canada? Aren t there two fronts in the war against illegal immigration? I just wonder: how many people enter the U.S. illegally through Canada?

I cannot help but to think that it all boils down to ethnicity. Hispanics come from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and, yes, even Puerto Rico. They are not white, and they speak Spanish and come from what the United States refers to as Third World Countries. Anglo-Americans and perhaps a large number other white Americans tend to view the Hispanic people as an inferior class. They complain that the Hispanic population is growing too fast, prefer to speak Spanish and that in time they will become the number one ethnic group in the United States. There is even talk in Congress about making English the official language of the United States. In spite of these prejudices and outright bigotry, Hispanics still come to the land of opportunity to seek jobs and better lives, like so many Jews, Italians and Irish did in the mid to late 1800 s. Unfortunately, the Hispanic s skin color is not white, though there are exceptions, and because of this cannot assimilate into the U.S. mainstream as easily as the many Jews, Italians and Irish did within a generation. Bad luck, I guess, to be born a Hispanic, right? Not so fast!

In my opinion, I think that, collectively, Hispanics represent more than just numbers. Their countries have their own universities and colleges that produce engineers, doctors, lawyers, economists, politicians, teachers and professional laborers. Their countries have natural resources and people willing to work. I say, let them take note of what the countries of Europe have done. European countries joined together, pooled their resources, and became known as the European Common Market. As a result of their union, the European Common Market became a major player in world economics. The central currency is the Euro Dollar, and it is currently trading at a rate 1.275. That means that the United States Dollar is equivalent to $0.78 of a Euro Dollar.

It is my opinion that, collectively, Hispanics can extricate themselves from the American inferiority stigma and become respected people by pooling their resources to become, perhaps, a Latin-American Common Market. A what? Are you kidding me? That s impossible! That s a pipe dream! But . . . is it really a pipe dream? I don t think so. Why can t Hispanics manufacture automobiles or airplanes or machines? Why can t Hispanics create their own Space Agency? Why can t Hispanics become major players in world economics and politics? What s stopping Hispanics from becoming a world power? I believe it is their inability to dispense with their differences.

So what was achieved two weeks ago by the walkout? Some say nothing! Some say it only disrupted certain businesses for a day. And yet, some would say that it had a great impact on the United States economy. But the next day, they all went back to work (illegally) and the events from that day faded away from the media s attention. All of their energies were focused on the protestation of a Congressional Bill and their hopes of achieving favorable immigration laws.

I say, instead of expending such energies to reach a country that really doesn t want them there, why don t Hispanics do something to keep their people in their own countries? Nothing should stand in their way toward becoming something truly special. They must put aside their differences, like the European countries did, and band together to become an economic and political force to be reckoned with! They must stop eating the crumbs off their master s table and become masters themselves, masters of their own destiny! What is your opinion?

ABE

On a rainy September evening in 1995, Olga Cruz was driving on a lonely street in the outskirts of Canovanas, Puerto Rico. Earlier that evening she had been embroiled in an argument with her husband over his infidelity and his refusal to change his philandering ways. In a fit of anger, Olga stormed out of the house, and while she drove to her mother s house, she fought against her tears of anguish and bitterness, and the sudden feeling of loneliness. She had decided to leave her husband for good, despite Efrain s pleas that this time he was going to change. But she had heard him say those words so many times before, and though her husband would keep his promise for a few weeks, he d always revert to his old self. So she made up her mind to finally break with her tumultuous eight-year marriage.

Olga Cruz took her three daughters, ages 3, 5 and 7, forced them into her tan-colored 1985 Toyota Corolla, and decided right then never to look back. Her jet-black hair was dripping wet and her hands, for some strange reason, shook uncontrollably. Yet, the 35 year-old Olga was fully determined to start a new life.

As she slowed the Corolla at a stop sign, her light-brown eyes squinted through the torrents of rain water that cascaded down her windshield. There were no overhead lamps on the street and Olga could barely see with the aid of her Corolla s headlights. The howling winds rocked the trees along the edge of the street and leaves would come down, like the falling rain, and scatter throughout the asphalt thoroughfare. Olga had always been afraid of the rain, especially the lightning and the loud claps of thunder that followed it.

But on this September evening, she was oblivious to those childhood fears because a sudden shiver ran up her spine. It was an eerie feeling; something Olga had never before experienced, and even the hairs in the back of her head began to stand. Something was out there! A strange and malevolent force was hiding somewhere inside the forest of trees beyond the edge of the desolate street.

Olga Cruz made her full stop, looked both ways as the rain pounded her car, and just before hitting the accelerator, she caught sight of it! With eyes widened and mouth agape, Olga tried to focus on the four-foot creature that jumped out of the forest and seemed to be hopping its way toward her. At that very moment though, her reliable Corolla buckled for a few seconds and then simply went dead! Olga tried frantically to turn her car back on but it wouldn t turn over; the engine refused to ignite. That was when Gloria, her eldest daughter caught sight of the creature too and began to scream. Olga turned around quickly and tried to calm Gloria in the best motherly voice that she could muster during those tense and harrowing moments. Soon, all three girls began to shrill and there was nothing Olga could do to calm them down. They were scared of their wits and so too was Olga but, for the moment, she would have to dispense with her own fears and draw upon all of her motherly instincts to protect her children.

Olga turned back to see the creature hop once toward her car, then hop twice. Then, as if God had answered her prayers, the creature turned around and darted back into the forest. As the girls clamored for their mother, Olga fixed a long stare at the tree line beyond the street, exactly at the point where the creature had disappeared. She waited until she felt the creature was gone for sure, and then turned back to calm her daughters. The rain came down hard and crashed against the car with unrelenting fury, as if the helpless Corolla had been underneath a waterfall.

After taking several more moments to pacify her daughters, Olga felt comfortable enough to try to turn on her car again. Her shaking right hand reached for the key that was still in the ignition and turned slowly. At first the car rattled and then the engine finally kicked over. Olga made the sign of the crucifix and thanked God. But before she could reach for the stick shift, she noticed that the creature was back again and standing right outside her window! The creature s angular face bore two large, oval-shaped red eyes and its skin was like that of a reptile. The creature s back contained a line of quills that ran down its spine, much like a porcupine. Blood dripped down from its mouth as if it had just eaten an animal, like a cow or pig or even a goat. For that one split second, Olga and her three daughters were catatonic; their hearts inexorably pumping as a result of their deathly fear of the creature that stood only inches away from them.

All of a sudden, Olga felt her right hand grasping the stick shift and bringing it down to drive. She stepped on the accelerator all the way down to the floor, causing the wheels to spin wildly on the wet asphalt. Then, as the creature raised its hands to reveal long, sharp claws, the Corolla began to move. Smoke rose from the wheels as they spun on the asphalt, and in a matter of seconds, the Corolla shot past the stop sign and rumbled its way out of Olga s hellish nightmare.

Ten minutes later, Olga parked in front of the police station in Canovanas and gave an account of one of Puerto Rico s most bizarre occurrences.

The foregoing passage is perhaps one of hundreds of similar reports made during the middle to late 1990 s concerning sightings of a hideous creature. The creature, mentioned in Olga Cruz s ordeal, is known in UFO circles as an Anomalous Biological Entity ( ABE ). It is more popularly known as El Chupacabra  or Goat Sucker . But what exactly is this creature? Some say that it is a cross between one of those Grey  aliens and a porcupine. Some say it is the product of genetic engineering gone haywire, and some say it is simply a mad dog.

So why all the hysteria? Why have these bizarre occurrences spread not only to parts of Central and South America but even the United States? Is there any truth to the numerous sightings made on the island of Borinquen? Or is it an illusion of the mind? What can we make of all this?

Well, I did some investigation of my own, albeit through the internet, and found a plethora of information on the subject. I am not going into specifics here but I can give you a few websites that write extensively on this most enigmatic creature. What I am interested in, though, is the whole UFO phenomenon. I have come to believe in my heart that the universe is so vast that there has got to be life out there somewhere. Perhaps we are the product of alien beings that came to earth hundreds of thousands of years ago and seeded the planet. Perhaps there are aliens living among us right now.

I am not quick to dispel the UFO phenomenon because many people have stepped forth to talk about their personal and most terrifying experiences. Some are lawyers, pilots and policemen, and some are regular citizens. But they all share one thing and that is a strong desire to talk about their experiences, a desire so strong that they are willing to suffer the indignities of being ridiculed by the mainstreamers and debunkers.

I ve never had a UFO experience but I do like to read about them. I cannot dismiss El Chupacabra, nor can I dismiss the Roswell Incident or the countless other UFO stories because I feel that there is truth in these accounts. In my opinion, I believe that aliens have visited earth, and though I have no proof other than the thousands of articles on the subject, something inside me simply believes in UFO s. What is your opinion? Have you ever had an alien encounter? Have any readers personally encountered El Chupacabra? If so, then please share your experience with all of us at El Boricua. And don t worry because in this forum, we will not ridicule anyone for stepping forth to talk about their experiences.

Suggested websites: The Skeptics Dictionary, Outside.Away.com and Strangemag.com, or just type the keyword: Chupacabra on your web browser. On Google, you will find 1,010,000 websites carrying the keyword: Chupacabra.

Reader comments

Skindeep99 writes,

Well, my brother, the term UFO  is unreal because they have been identified for a long time. Now IFO s are as real as anything else can be. Too many people have testified, too many people who have had no contact with each other, have given accounts too similar for this be another lie. Every ancient culture, including our Taino [ancestors] gave accounts of these so-called Unidentified . It s also another reason why we ll never see a Reverend quote the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls speak of Ezekiel s wheel, describing it as a spacecraft, and it also quotes the planet it came from. Like you said, there is lots of information out there. Siempre de Corazon, Suave. 

Thank you for your response, Skindeep. Indeed, the evidence regarding extra-terrestrial objects or beings is not only compelling but it is overwhelming, too. Perhaps one day, the governments of the world will come clean and fess up this great secret. For those who have seen or have had contact with extra-terrestrial entities, there is no need for them to wait on the governments of the world to tell them what they already know. But for those who do not believe, I bet it will come as a great shock to them. Regarding the Dead Sea Scrolls, I believe that these ancient writings have forced the world s religions to re-think certain aspects of their faiths. When I first read the book of Ezekiel, I thought the man was on acid and was experiencing a bad trip. But then on my second read of the passages, I couldn t help but to draw parallels between his account and those mentioned in UFO sightings. I have seen television documentaries about the Dead Sea Scrolls, but outside of this I know nothing about them. They are as mysterious as they are profound.

David Sanchez writes,

Mr. Ramos, I would like to comment on your article ABE . For many years I was the kind of person that always required proof before believing in things. I had always thought it absurd that people actually witnessed Unidentified Flying Objects, or experienced abductions by aliens bent on performing exotic probes on their bodies. Basically, I rejected the UFO thing as a myth and always refused to participate in such conversations. But I had a UFO experience that changed my entire outlook on this subject.

About four years ago, my brother Rick and I were hiking in the mountains of Pennsylvania all day, and pitched our tents for the night in a very secluded, dark and remote part of the woods. All had gone well and, except for the sound of a steady breeze rustling the leaves in the trees or the hoot of an owl, the night was quiet. My brother had started a small campfire and was brewing some coffee, while I was busy inside the tent un-rolling our sleeping bags. I had already set up my sleeping bag but as I reached for Rick s bag, I heard my brother calling me. It was the sound of terror in Rick s voice that captured my attention because my brother never got exited; he was always an easy going guy and was usually very quiet and reserved. I stepped out of the tent and saw that Rick had dropped his coffee mug on the ground and was looking up into the darkened skies, his body seemed frozen and his face looked as if he had seen a ghost. When I turned up to see what had captured my brother s attention, I froze too! What my brother and I saw was a triangular-shaped object that was shining a narrow beam of light down at the woods, apparently searching for something. Now I don t know what this UFO was searching for but I am very grateful that the beam of light did not shine on the two of us. The most striking thing about this object though was that I heard no engine sounds like one might expect from a conventional aircraft. Then, all of a sudden, this UFO shot straight up into the skies, made a right-angle turn and moved westward at such an incredible speed that it seemed to have simply vanished right before our eyes.

I know that what I witnessed that night four years ago was not of this earth and since then I have become a believer. I never talk about that incident because people usually give me a strange look, like I m nuts or something. But after reading your article I wanted to share this story with your readers. My brother has never spoken about that night and I never bring up the subject. I know he was really shaken that night so unless he wants to talk about, it will remain an unspoken incident between us. I have read many books on the UFO subject and read personal accounts of abductions. What I want to know is if the governments of the world are aware that aliens are visiting our planet, or have been visiting us since ancient times, what are they doing about it, and why so much secrecy? Well, I could go on and on so I ll just end it here. I hope other readers will share their personal stories on your column, Mr. Ramos.

Thank for your response Mr. Sanchez. Wow! As I read your personal account, I couldn t help but wonder what might have happened to you and your brother had that beam of light shone on your campsite. I live in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, and I know how dark and desolate the woods can be at night. You and your brother were out there all by yourselves, and I can t even imagine how terrified you would have been had the UFO made a turn and head straight for you. Regarding your concerns about the government knowing about UFO s and keeping it all a secret, I m afraid I don t have answer for you. Maybe the governments of the world are working with aliens, but toward what goals, I dare not think it. Or maybe they feel that in revealing what they now about aliens to the general public, it might cause civil unrest on world-wide scale. But what impact would it have on the religions of the world and those who believe so passionately in their faiths? Think about it. Sometimes, though we may not agree with the notion of secrecy, it is far better not to stir the hornet s nest or open up Pandora s Box. I would like to thank you for sharing your very personal story with all of our readers at El Boricua.

Minaya s Mets Management Madness

For the first time in modern history, a Hispanic man has been hired as a General Manager for a Major League Baseball club. His name is Omar Minaya and he is the new GM for the New York Mets. So what s the big deal? Why are newspapers, magazines and sports talk shows making so much fuss about Omar Minaya? Is it because Omar Minaya is determined to bring the best ball players to a team that desperately needs them? Is it because he wants to bring the Mets out of the prodigious shadow cast by the New York Yankees? Is it because Omar Minaya wants to fill seats at Shea Stadium and bring respectability back to his childhood team? Or is it because Omar Minaya is a Hispanic man who has gone out and hired 14 talented Hispanic ball players? Some radio sports talk shows have lambasted Omar for doing what he s supposed to be doing as a General Manager, and that s going out and getting the best ball players your team s money can buy.

So why didn t anyone make a fuss when the New York Yankees, the only Major League team with deep pockets, bought out Alex Rodriguez  25 million dollar contract from the Texas Rangers? Did anyone speak out against the Yankees when they hired Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams or El Duque? Did the New York Yankees say, Wait a minute, I think we re hiring too many Hispanics.  I don t think so. I think they pursued the best talent available and got it. Baseball, like all sports, is all about wining. Yes, Baseball is a game but it is also a business and a team that cannot win ball games cannot put butts on stadium seats. And an empty stadium produces no income.

The fact is that Hispanics love Baseball and play it well. Hispanics from Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mexico begin holding bats before they start walking. Baseball is in their blood and in their hearts and that is why Hispanics excel in the sport. It is the job of GMs and talent scouts to search for this talent and they will go wherever necessary to bring that talent back to their team; case in point, Kaz Matsui, all the way from Japan.

Will the Mets win ball games? I think so. Will they win more games this year than they did last year? I also think so. Will the Mets have team that can honestly make a run for the play-offs? Maybe. Is it too early to make a judgment? Definitely. In professional football, Head Coaches are given two to three years to build their teams before the media starts to judge them. We must allow Omar Minaya to do his work without distraction and without having to justify his every move to sports talk radio personalities who do nothing more than second-guess rather than taking up the mantle and doing the job themselves.

Omar Minaya was born in Valverde, in the northern hills of the Dominican Republic. While his father worked, his mother taught at school. In 1965, Omar s father was arrested for opposing the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo. After spending two years in prison, Omar s father moved his family to Queens, where they came to settle in Corona. At Newton High School, Omar became the star catcher, batting .489 in his senior year. He was drafted by the Oakland A s and was sent to their minor league team. Unable to become the player he once aspired to be, Omar left the minors after two years. But Omar had another talent besides baseball and that was the talent of finding talent. He discovered Sammy Sosa and the rest, as they say, is history.

Mr. Omar Minaya, you go boy! All Hispanic eyes are on you and we re going to stand behind you every step of the way whether you succeed or fail. We know how difficult it s going to be for you because you will be under the New York Media s spot light, where one day you are a hero and the next day you are a goat. But you have shown how well you have dealt with the media and that is an achievement unto itself. Good luck to you, Mr. Minaya, and may your team succeed. I am a New York Yankees fan. I have been a fan since I was eleven and I will always be a fan. But because so much fuss has been made over you, I will be rooting for the Mets this year. So my dear readers, how do you feel about this Minaya s Mets Management Madness?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments/Article 13

Richard Caban writes,

Well said, Tony. Although I do not know when you wrote this article, I think all the talk should have stopped by now. Minaya has proven his worth a million times over. Now I hope you see what a force the METS have become, and with Pedro back in the rotation, fresh and ready for the playoffs, I just want to say one thing: SUBWAY SERIES! If your Yankees care to join us, it won t be like in 2000. 

Thank you for your email Richard. I think I wrote this article in the beginning of the baseball season, without really knowing the outcome of Minaya s work. I guess Mr. Minaya has proven his worth, and he certainly has put those radio talk show hosts to shame. Let us see now if the Mets and, indeed, the Yankees will face each other in another World Series. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be a very entertaining series for New Yorkers and a profitable one for the city.

Minaya needs to seguir pa lante and staying strong!!! 

Thank you for your response, Mr. Peña. Indeed, we shall keep watch on Mr. Minaya s progress, and we shall root for him on every step of the way!

Benjamin Cruz writes,

Love what you wrote, to hell with the critics. Keep it up my nephew... 

Thank you for your response, Mr. Cruz. To all my readers, Benny Cruz is my wife s uncle and he is a die-hard Mets fan. At our family gatherings, there are always heated discussions over the Mets and the Yankees. They usually start as regular sports conversations but then turn into arguments and then digress into team bashing and finally all hell breaks loose. I, being a Yankees fan, against my wife s uncles who are Mets fans  well you can imagine how that goes. Anyway, as I said, I will be rooting for the Mets this year because I want Omar Minaya to succeed more than anything else. I want him to prove to everyone, especially to those radio talk shows, that he did the right thing!

English as a Second Language or ESL

I grew up in a household that spoke only in Spanish. Up until the age of six, I had no knowledge of the English language, or that the world was replete with many languages. But for a young, Hispanic boy, growing up in a Puerto Rican family, there really was no need to know any other language. My mother, father and grandmother spoke Spanish and so too did my uncles aunts and sisters. Life was wonderful in my little world; a world that communicated solely in Spanish.

I had no conception that my world would turn upside down on the first day of classes at Public School 196. Well as you can imagine, being spoken to in English and not being able to understand is a traumatic experience for a six-year-old child. But I have come to believe that children are resilient creatures, and their minds, at such a tender age, are as absorbent as sponges. I had trouble in the beginning, and most of the times I spoke two languages. When I didn t know a word in English, I would substitute it for an equal word in Spanish. But this only lasted for a short while and before long, I learned to read and write in English.

Today public schools have embraced programs, such as ESL, as a tool with which to ease the difficult learning process. While I am not wholly opposed to these progressive programs, I have to ask this question: are they really necessary? Do they really help Spanish-speaking children entering public school for the first time? Do these programs cause more harm than help? I had originally opined that these programs have a tendency to slow the learning process because children are being taught in two languages, which, in the end, causes confusion. However, my sister Maribel enlightened me to a few things I didn t know.

Maribel graduated with a Batchelor s degree in Business and later went to graduate school, earning a Master s degree in education. She is a certified teacher and teaches in an ESL class at an elementary school in Suffolk County, New York. Maribel explained to me that ESL is not only intended for Spanish-speaking children but for all non-English-speaking children. In her classroom there are children from Russia and from other parts of the world and the only language spoken in her classroom is English. While these meritorious programs tend to soften the trauma of confronting a different language, I believe in something totally different. I believe that if a non-English-speaking child is forced into an English-speaking world, he or she will have no choice but to learn how to speak English. As I mentioned earlier, children are very resilient and their young minds are keen and open to many things. My sister firmly believes in the ESL program, and as a teacher in the field there is no doubt in my mind that she will have a different opinion than I do. What is your opinion? Do you think the ESL program is helping children or is it a detriment to the learning process?

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments/Article 12

Professor Jeremy Lignelli writes,

I am a current resident of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and a current Teacher/Professor. I have been here in PR for three years teaching English. First off, it is not easy to teach English in the public schools here. Besides that being a separate issue, having ESL programs established in the public school system is essential for all non-English speaking students living in the U.S. I don't necessarily consume my train of thought solely with public schools. Adult education in the community college and university sector is also vital to our school system in the U.S. These programs push the boundaries of language learning and find new ways to teach languages (not just English). Mostly what I think you talk about is immersion. This technique is the tried and true old school way of learning a language (and maybe the best-who is to say?) I personally enjoy a bilingual program. I feel that two languages being taught simultaneously is a very effective way of learning languages. My fiancé teaches at an English immersion school near my bilingual private school. Often times, our schools are in competition with each other. You could argue until you are blue in the face about which one is better. However, the real deciding factor is the student. Each student learns differently. I hope this helps or adds to the discussion. 

Thank you for your email Professor Lignelli. Perhaps we may never reach a middle ground or compromise between the two schools of thought. You may be right, though, in the end it is up the individual student to decide whether he/she wants to learn.

Tina writes,

My wonderful Boricua friends, I worked as an ESL teacher in public schools in PR for many years. I have to say that my students developed excellent grammar and comprehension skills; and some of them could develop fluid English language proficiency. The challenge in teaching ESL in PR is that students hardly get to interact with English language speakers once they are out of the classroom. So the oral practice is very limited. In a Bilingual instructional setting, students can develop more their oral English skills as well as their Spanish oral skills.

However, once the child moves to the states, the majority are placed in ESL programs like the majority of other English language learners who never have been exposed to an English language class. Most of our immigrant Latino/ Hispanic children in the states were not exposed to English in their countries.

My opinion is that our Puerto Rican children could probably benefit more to a Bilingual instructional setting than an ESL setting. However, even with an ESL instructional setting, our children are in advantage compared to the rest of our Latino/Hispanic immigrant children. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express. Love elboricua.com very much. Feliz Navidad a todos! I'm currently working for the US Department of Education, Office of English Language Acquisition, at your service. 

Thank you for your email Tina. Frankly, the issue of ESL versus Non-ESL remains continuously debated amongst the Hispanic community. Some feel that the ESL program is not as useful as its proponents so vehemently espouse, and some feel it is a valuable educational tool. However, I still feel that scholastic achievement is based upon individual performances and not upon programs developed by PHD candidates or educational revisionists. I know that as a pedagogue, who is currently in the service of the US Department of Education, you may think differently, and I respect that. But since I am old school, my opinion has not changed. Nevertheless, I am very proud that you are currently involved and genuinely committed to the educational process, especially for Hispanic children. Keep up the good work!


Ody Rivera writes,

 Detrimental  is a very strong word to use for such an important program like ESL. I was born and raised in PR. Because I possess this skill of bilingual, I have been able to find jobs in the US all my life living here. I have 20 yrs living in the US. I never found a job living in PR despite of having a Bachelors Degree.

The opportunities that these set of skills open to bilingual individuals are countless. [It] offers you more choices, and more doors open to you. Therefore, I couldn't call this detrimental  [not] even by mistake. 

Thank your for your response Ody Rivera. No one is arguing for or against possessing the skill of speaking two languages. In fact, I think we all agree that being a bilingual, in some cases, does give you an advantage over a monolingual. I speak English, Spanish and a little French. I would love to learn more French because a trilingual might have even more advantage over a bilingual. But that wasn t the central point of our argument. The argument focused on whether a program, such as ESL, is detrimental or beneficial to non-English-speaking children entering school for the first time. We discussed at great length and with deep passions our feelings on whether children are given the opportunity to prove themselves scholastically prior to being placed in ESL programs or, by suggestive professional studies, placed on ESL programs arbitrarily.

Ms. Cynthia Figueroa writes,

I found your article quite interesting. My parents are from Guayama and came to the US in 1963 with their parents. My sisters and I are first generation born in the US and raised in the Bronx. Our parents spoke to us in both English and Spanish because they firmly believed that it was the only way we would be able to succeed. Eventually, (and unfortunately for us) the only language we spoke was Spanglish!!  We had forgotten how to speak Spanish almost completely! And when we went to visit our grandparents we were only allowed to speak in Spanish or they would not speak to us at all!!

When we began school, my sisters and I were placed in regular  classes because we spoke English fluently. However, it seemed to be policy to immediately place the children who came from Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic, in special education  classes. This was before the school systems began fully implementing ESL programs. It was unfair to these children because they were not even given a chance to prove their academic abilities before they were considered incapable!!

I do believe that ESL programs should not be utilized as a student s only course of instruction for all of their academic requirements. If the students cannot understand basic English, then the schools should tailor the agenda for these students. For example: adding an extra hour  to the day so they could have one period of instruction (every day), in which they re taught the English language. And as an addition, offer a summer schedule for further development of these skills. I know that in the larger cities like New York, ESL program curriculums are not an alternative form of special education , and they are quite successful. But in smaller cities/towns ESL programs are non-existent!!

I do feel that there has been an improvement in the educational system (in the past 20 years) to recognize students who primarily speak the language of their native land---BUT discrimination and prejudice still plays a major part in our society and probably always will. And with the immigration laws as a hot topic these days, more than likely, it will affect the school ESL programs in some way.

Thank you for your response Ms. Figueroa. I have to admit that the ESL program isn t entirely bad, but it is not the answer either. I still believe that children ought to be given the opportunity to prove their scholastic abilities on an individual basis, rather than have their abilities arbitrarily assessed on a collective methodology that is based upon preconceived ideologies. In other words, we cannot judge an individual student using historical information collected from other children and/or psychological, demographic, sociological studies or any other studies, for that matter. Let the children tell you, not reports!

Ms. Maribel Ramos-Cavanagh writes again,

I m glad Ms. Figueroa has made up her mind, I don t want to confuse her anymore with the facts. I m disappointed but not surprised that MY FINAL response was not posted. However, it is only fair that your readers be given the opportunity to visit the websites listed and be more informed on the topic so they may have a chance to share their opinion armed with quantitative data rather than opinions based on personal experiences. Remember, one person s experience does not apply to the general population. One size does not fit all when it comes to a child s education. 

Thank you for your response, Maribel. Your final statement is correct and is truly what I believe. I believe that children, as are all humans on earth, are uniquely individual and therefore should be judged on their individual performances rather than on someone s dictatorial study. It is the essence of what I have been saying all along that the only way to determine whether a child needs ESL is to evaluate his or her individual performance. Regarding your complaint that your final response was not posted, I will check my emails and get back to you.

Ms. Ivonne Figueroa writes again,

It is not my wish to continue with a dispute over 'old time' school vs. the 'progressive' school of thought. This will be my last response on this subject. Statistics should be treated with a watchful eye, a watchful eye of someone who has common sense!

I'm sure glad I did not buy any ENRON stock or I would be completely broke now, or might be in the poor house like Enron's very own - long time - trusting employees. By now the entire nation knows you can't really trust statistics 100% - especially when it comes to business and stocks. It is too bad that people in power and control often use statistics to the benefit themselves or to try to validate their particular point of view.

There are statistics out there than can be made to say whatever anyone wants it to say. It is too bad that people sit around making excuse after excuse for failure instead of promoting success. Success comes from hard work, from being diligent, and being attentive.

There is nothing like the 'old school' method of using your head, following your instincts and having common sense! 

Thank you for your response, Ivonne. The arguments for and against the ESL programs have been presented well, and I think that each camp stands firmly upon their belief. As I have mentioned before, I am from the old school  camp and feel that too much emphasis is placed in the psychological and socio-economic situations of young children. Though these aspects of life are important, I feel that psychology and socio-economics are intangible factors that evolve throughout the years and come to fruition when children reach puberty and adolescence. I think they are virtually non-existent in children at the age of six because their minds are young and innocent.

I say this: Let their individual performances be the deciding factor. Grant them same academic opportunities without intrusion for however long it takes to determine whether or not children would require ESL as a tool to further progress their education. I also think that in isolating these children from mainstream academics at the outset of their education is more damaging because it tends to stigmatize them with the thought of somehow being mentally handicapped. How can scholastic aptitude in children be properly gauged if those responsible for their education have no knowledge of their performance in the first year or two of school? Rather than relying on a cross-section, upon which statistics are based and decisions arbitrarily made by the results, let us rely on individual performances. Not to put too fine a point on it, and at the risk of sounding repetitious, it is the child s performance that will ultimately prevail regardless of an ESL Program or not. But . . . that is my opinion!

Maribel Ramos-Cavanagh s answer to Ivonne Figueroa,

Actually, statistics play a vital role in everything that requires assessment and needs to prove validity. Would you invest in a company stock that statistically fails to generate a profit? Wouldn t you want to know the number of Hispanic students that under achieve? Or better yet, how many Hispanic students are enrolled in gifted programs? Would you send your child to a high school that statistically, the graduates of the school go on to college? Let s be real. Statistics are important and the more valid a study is the more impressive the statistics.

Instead of fighting against the program, more effort should be placed in making sure these students are getting everything possible to achieve success in less time. It is not a matter of smart or not smart. There are many factors that contribute to the success or failure of a student  socio-economics, literacy in the primary language, emotional disabilities, family values, prior education, trauma (leaving a beloved country and forced to learn a new language and culture), etc.

I suggest that you study the many research studies available on this topic so we can have a more valid discussion and be on par with information. 

Thank you for your response, Maribel. If you wouldn t mind it too much, could you provide our many readers at El Boricua the sources of your information? If you have any web links, journals, published papers or books that focus on the need for ESL programs, then perhaps some of us might be interested in reading them. I know that you quoted sources in your initial response but if you have a list, please send it to us so that we could post it on the site.

Mr. C. Corrado writes,

Let's try to remember that not all teachers are patient and loving with students with whom they cannot communicate and that not all students have the innate intelligence to "absorb, process and articulate" as well as others. Please let's leave the question of conservatism and liberalism out of it; it is simply dumb to do so, no offense! The central point of argument should be the educational - learning process and quotients applicable under a revision of the current cultural and historic backdrop. To say that because I learned English under a total immersion school and class environment thirty or forty years ago, that should be good enough reason for non-English speaking students today to do the same is simply a shallow and ignorant statement, no offense.

Let us please remember, that technological, social, emotional, economic and cultural realities are definite learning factors. Not to acknowledge this, is evidence of ignorance in the pedagogical process.

ESL is a good program. It says to the young student: we appreciate what you are already and we'd like to help you learn some more. This kind of approach goes a long way to motivate individuals as they face the challenge of "connecting" with their "foreign" teachers and classmates. Let's not get caught up on whether this was not around in my times, kind of thing, for we could come up with a list of things that were around then, that we are happy are no longer so. 

Thank you for your response, Mr. Corrado. I think it does come down to a matter of viewpoint: either you are for the ESL program because you are a progressive thinker who believes that modern science can better mainstream non-English-speaking children, or, you are against the ESL program because it is your view that spoon-fed children become more dependent rather than independent. But as I said in my comments below Ms. Ivonne Figueroa s rebuttal, it doesn t really matter what school of thought we ascribe to because it is the student s initiative that will ultimately prevail. There s an old adage that comes to mind: if it ain t broke, don t fix it . Sometimes, in the processing of retooling and tinkering, we tend to ruin things rather than fix them, no offense. But . . . that is my opinion.

To all my readers: Mr. Corrado is a wonderful writer who has his own blog on AOL. The blog is chock-full of information and well written. If you are interested in reading Mr. Corrado s blog, please take note of the link below.

http://journals.aol.com/lowatel/QuenosPasaPuertoRicoYoSe/

Ivonne Figueroa writes,

My response to Ms. Maribel Ramos-Cavanagh is: When in doubt, use common sense! Statistics don't impress intelligent people because intelligent people know all about statistics. We also understand how 'studies made by professionals in the field' work.

Sink or swim might sound offensive to 'modern day' educators who have been trained to think in a particular way. All you have to do is use your head - don't allow others to tell you what to think. Question, question and question over and over again the things that don't make sense. Don't allow others to tell you the way it is or the way it should be. Are non-English speakers not as smart as their counterparts? Are Hispanic children not as smart as others? I would be offended by that thought.

What works faster and better, if not the old fashioned, but most effective, 'sink or swim ? Yes, there will be some confusion. Yes, it won't be easy. It will be difficult and kids will have to work hard. But in the end the pain will be short and the benefits long.

My little sister began kindergarten with no English skills whatsoever. She was speaking English within ONE month. My parents didn't think she was incapable, they didn't feel 'sorry' for their child. They knew there were going to be rough times but they were prepared. They sent her to school with great expectations - and she met those expectations. My other sister and I took longer because we were older and it is 'harder to teach an old horse' . . . etc., as the saying goes; it took us an entire year.

If people used more common sense there would be much less waste in this country, and that is not just in the schools. 

Thank you for your response, Ivonne. I think there are two schools of thought here. On the one side, we have the staunch conservatives like you and I, and on the other side there are the progressive liberals. We, of the old guard, tend to look at things in a more simple and pragmatic way, and feel that sugar-coating or spoon-feeding children is a detriment or hindrance to their educational progression. Modern thinkers, however, tend to look at the educational system in a more psychological and sociological manner. They perform evaluations based upon these and other noble precepts, and then ponder the results at great length. And when they are done with these evaluations, they write books and scientific papers for educational trade journals and then slap themselves on the back for a job well done. In the end, it is all up to the individual student. It doesn t matter whether the student is pushed into a sink or swim  situation or whether the student is the recipient of a bona-fide ESL program; in the end it will always be the student s initiative that prevails.

Ms. Maribel Ramos-Cavanagh writes in response to Ms. Ivonne Figueroa,

I would like to explain the current process mandated by NYS Department of Education regarding the enrollment of students in an ESL program. At the time a parent registers a student in any NYS school district at any grade, they must complete a questionnaire that asks what language is spoken at home and the language the child speaks and understands most. Students are then given a test (LAB-R, State issued) that indicates their level of English proficiency and placement level. Every May, NYS requires all students in the program be administered the NYSESLAT to determine if they are ready to exit out of the program.

Being in the program allows students extra time for completing Standardized tests in English and this year the students are allowed to use a bilingual dictionary for translating English words in their language. The programs are not perfect, however, the idea is to give students an equal playing field so they may achieve to their potential and above. There is the stigma attached to these programs that many families believe their children are not smart enough to achieve as their mono-lingual peers. This is not so. Bilingual children deserve and should get special treatment. The ability to transfer their skills from their first language (L1) to the new language (L2) requires high cognitive demand. Teaching the students to tap into the L1 to learn L2 is viable in order for these students to work to their potential. We want special treatment to prove that given the right tools, bilingual students can perform as well and often outperform their mono-lingual peers. 

Thank you, Maribel, for clarifying the need for ESL programs. However, since your response is for Ms. Ivonne Figueroa, let us wait for her rebuttal.

Maribel Ramos-Cavanagh writes,

Ah & The Sink or Swim method of learning a new language of yesteryear experienced by many up until 1970 s when the Office of Civil Rights stepped in and various court cases thereafter required school districts to provide services to this growing number of students.

You are right; eventually students do learn English, but statistically, those without primary language support show little or slow academic growth especially at the upper elementary and secondary grade level. Kids usually achieve BICS within a few months. To achieve CALP takes much longer. So what are BICS and CALP?

BICS - Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills are the language skills needed in social situations such as the playground. These skills have meaningful social context and develops within a short time period because the language is not specialized. The problem arises when teachers and administrators assume that a child is proficient in English because he or she uses good social English.

CALP - Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency includes listening, speaking, reading, and writing in subject area content material. This level is essential for students to succeed in academic areas. Studies (Thomas & Collier, 1995) have shown that a child with no or limited prior schooling or no support in native language development, will take seven to ten years to reach CALP and to catch up to their peers academically. Hence, the great achievement gap between monolingual and bilingual students.

A synthesis of studies produced by Collier, V.P. (Bilingual Research Journal, 16:1&2, Winter/Spring 1992) summarized several studies, which examined student progress under the various English Language Acquisition programs. One particular study of student progress in late-exit bilingual classes and Immersion classes, ( Ramirez, Pasta, Yuen, Ramey & Billings 1991, vol. II p. 639) states:  &..Over and over again, those students who began their schooling with substantial amounts of instruction in their primary language and were exposed to the gradual introduction of English for instruction realized the greatest growth in skills  These programs provide English Language Learners the tools and strategies to become successful members of society in less time than the Sink Or Swim method.

That is the goal for these children, is it not? The academic demands have changed dramatically since you were a kindergarten student. By first grade, kids must develop higher order thinking skills, be effective communicators, and have strong technology skills at minimum. English language learners not only need to meet the same academic demands as their Native English speaking peers but they are also required to take standardized tests in English after 3 years in the program.

I teach ESL  middle school, which is a pull-out/push-in program taught in English only. This method is the slowest in minimizing the academic achievement gap. Why? Well, because it does not provide academic instruction in the student s native language. This is essential in order for students to reach CALP and raise their achievement levels as close as possible to their Native English speakers in as short time as possible. The goal is not to enable but to empower the students.

A common misconception is that students get confused when taught in two languages. Studies (Collier, V.P. Bilingual Research Journal, 16:1&2 Winter/Spring 1992) show that students in Dual Language programs achieve higher academic levels than an English immersion program with some students outperforming native English speakers by the end of the 6th year.

I believe specialized programs, such as ESL or Dual Language empowers students to achieve academic success. Imagine you are a 7th grade Spanish speaking student just arrived from Puerto Rico. You listen carefully as the social studies teacher is giving a lecture on the U.S. Government. You have no idea what she is saying and feel your anxiety level rising. You breathe a sigh of relief when the period ends and you go to your next class, which is ESL. You are relieved because the ESL teacher will explain the content discussed in social studies using picture and context clues, pointing out cognates, making the content meaningful and teaching you strategies that will help you understand the lecture. You are also relieved that the teacher is Hispanic and sensitive to the ways of your culture.

In summary, any English Language Acquisition program is better than sink or swim. Does America want these students to become high school dropouts or does it want these students to achieve academic success so they can be productive members of society and not a burden?

We need to ask ourselves: What can we [do], as advocates for Hispanic children, to ensure that the State Education Department is providing bilingual Spanish-speaking students with an equal opportunity to achieve high academic growth as their mono-lingual English speaking peers? 

Thank you for your response, my sister. I knew you wouldn t fail me. In your response you mentioned studies made on this subject, and I often wonder: how are these studies made? What is the core sampling and the basis for these studies? No doubt the studies are made by learned, and, I would imagine, objective people. Maybe the ESL programs are a good thing, but I can only speak for myself and from my personal experience. Perhaps I and others like me are the exception to the rule. This brings me to my next question: Are there any studies made on people who excel without the benefit of ESL programs or are these studies mainly concentrated on underachievers?


Ms. Ivonne Figueroa writes,

"When I came to the U.S., I was thirteen and going into 8th grade. I went to a summer of language inversion at the public schools. That did not nearly prepare me for immersion. I spend my 8th grade confused trying to learn a new language and turn in homework and understand Math explanations. It was very hard.

I had an English teacher, Mrs. Ramsey, at Bassett Middle School, in El Paso, who understood my situation and had me come in early daily 45 minutes before school began. She game me spelling and vocabulary assignments and tested me. My sister had no such luck. However, by the end of that first year both of us were equality proficient in English. My sister had better grades than me in the 7th grade but we both made it.

After that first year both of us spoke English, could win classroom spelling bees, and understood things better than many of our classmates. It was hard work, and we did it. My parents helped us out a lot, even with their limited English. Had we been put in an ESL Program we would have stayed there for at least three years and I am not sure what the outcome would have been. Immersion means immersion. There are no substitutes. ESL just slows progress.

Later on when I got married my six year old stepdaughter, who spoke NO SPANISH, was assigned to an ESL classroom. My husband, a teacher himself, protested, but the principal was adamant that all classrooms needed a certain number of students and since she had a Spanish surname she was going to stay in ESL regardless. We had to take it to the school board and we won, only because we were educated parents who knew they couldn't 'push us' around.

My mother taught ESL - second grade - for over 20 years. Most of her lessons were strictly in Spanish - second grade was too soon to put the poor kids through the trauma of a second language. The transition was scheduled for 5 or 6 grades. Many of those students never get immersion and fail when they are transferred. Immersion means immersion. There are no substitutes. ESL just slows progress.

Foreign students, whether Hispanic or not, are just as smart as their counterparts. We can do everything anyone else can do. We don't need special treatment. 

Thank you for your response, Ivonne. I had a similar situation with my daughter and I went to see the Principal of the school. Isn t it so callous of these so called educators to presume that just because our sons and daughters bear Spanish surnames that they must fall into a certain educational category? Is it because of inherent prejudices? Or because they just want to fill a quota in order to maintain their Federal or State-funded program? But no matter what, we shall do what we have always done and that s too fight for what s right. We will always be viewed in such ways and until we start proving otherwise, and I mean collectively as a people, we will always have to confront these situations. Regarding your views, I firmly agree with you and feel that non-English-speaking children ought not to be matriculated in ESL programs.

To all my readers, Ms. Ivonne Figueroa is the editor of El Boricua.com.

The Cry Is For You: Borinqueños!
By Anthony Ramos

A couple of months ago I wrote an article titled, The Question of Puerto Rico s Future: Commonwealth, Statehood or Independence, Article #8. Before moving ahead with the article, I took the opportunity to write about Puerto Rico s one and only act of revolution called El Grito De Lares. This event took place in Lares, Puerto Rico on September 23, 1868. Manuel Rojas led a militia of about 400 poorly armed men and quickly took over the town of Lares, declaring a provisional government for La Republica de Puerto Rico. The next day about two hundred men were dispatched to nearby San Sebastian where the Spanish authorities, who had been alerted to the uprising, waited for them. In short order, the Spanish authorities quelled the uprising in a hail of gunfire. Many Puerto Ricans were killed, wounded and arrested. This date has grown over the years to become a symbol of the Puerto Rican struggle for independence and it has become sacred in the hearts of many.

I wrote the article early in September of this year to coincide with Puerto Rico s celebration of El Grito de Lares. However, as I wrote the article, I never contemplated or imagined the events that would take place in Puerto Rico later on in the month. On the 23rd day of September 2005, on the 137th anniversary of El Grito De Lares, Filiberto Ojeda Rios, a Puerto Rican independence leader, and leader of a militant group known as Los Macheteros, was hunted down by U.S. Federal Agents in Hormigueros, PR and killed.

Numerous reports about the incident indicate that Federal Agents surrounded a farmhouse where Ojeda Rios was staying and that more than 100 rounds were fired. The Federal Agents then proceeded to arrest Ojeda Rios  partner, Elma Beatriz Rosado Barbosa, and left Filiberto Ojeda Rios outside bleeding to death. Filiberto Ojeda Rios had been wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in the Wells Fargo robbery in 1983 in Hartford, CT. Reports claim that 7.2 million dollars were stolen and allegedly used to fund the independence movement and to buy medicine for the poor.

In the days following the death of Ojeda Rios, many people spoke out against the Federal government s decision to use September 23rd as the date for Rios  arrest. Many people believe this date was intentionally chosen by the Federal Agents for symbolic purposes. In my opinion, I believe this notion to be true. I consider this a heinous act by the Federal Agents, a slap in the face to all Puerto Ricans whether living on the island or living in the USA. By choosing this date, the Federal Agents belittled the Puerto Rican culture and pride, insulted and stomped on Puerto Rico like an insignificant insect. What were they thinking? El Grito De Lares lives in all of us; it is a sacred date, an event that characterizes the Puerto Rican people. El Grito De Lares symbolized the Puerto Rican desire for independence and galvanized their way of thinking in the same manner as the Boston Massacre galvanized the American people in their quest for independence. What were the Federal Agents hoping to accomplish by choosing this date? Did they hope to bring the Puerto Rican people to their knees by disheartening them on the very day that they celebrate and take pride in themselves? In choosing this date for the arrest of Ojeda Rios and his partner, the Federal Agents may have grossly miscalculated the Puerto Rican people.

I, for one, feel insulted and angered that Federal Agents have cheapened the significance of El Grito De Lares. I love the United States of America with all my heart. I love our democratic way of life and the things associated with the kind of country our founding fathers hoped America would become and indeed has become. But I love Puerto Rico too with all my heart and all my soul! And right now I am angry at the U.S. I am torn by conflicting emotions and disillusioned and my heart is imbued with abject melancholy. The Federal Agents have shown an extreme lack of sensitivity and outright disregard for our people and culture and that is something that cannot be forgotten so easily. I cannot comment on Mr. Ojeda Rios because I do not know enough about him and I do not know the facts surrounding the FBI s case or their reasons for arresting him. But I can comment on the date chosen for Ojeda Rios  arrest because I know in my heart it was intentionally done to remind us of the futility in seeking Puerto Rican independence. This was a clear message to all Puerto Ricans: Beware!

U.S. Representatives, Jose E. Serrano (D-NY), Nydia Velasquez (D-NY) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) have contacted the head of the FBI, Robert Mueller, demanding an investigation into the agency s actions. If you want to follow up on this trampling of Puerto Rican pride, you may wish to contact the above U.S. Representatives.

Send me your comments to: Anthony Ramos

Reader Comments/Article 11

Juan Peña writes,

It's been a while, my brother, but I haven t forgotten about you. Concerning the topic of Los Macheteros, I set that Mr. Harry Santiago [a previous responder] needs to wake up! Whether the man [Filiberto Ojeda Rios] was guilty or not, he deserved a trial. They [FBI] were making a statement by laying rounds and letting the man bleed to death. Filiberto Ojeda Rios was a citizen of the U.S. and he should have been treated like one. If he was a criminal, the law says that you are innocent until proven guilty, and that process is done at a court of law. What kind of Jibarito are you [Mr. Harry Santiago] by calling a Machetero a criminal? Do I need to go into details [about] the actions [that] the [U.S.] government has taken towards our people? Can 7 million dollars come close to the damage that was done in Vieques? [Let] he who is without sin cast the first stone! 

Thank for your response, Mr. Peña. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever write to us again. At long last you have written! I agree with you 100%. Every citizen of the United States has the right to Due Process, and the right to be judged in a court of law by twelve of his or her peers. It is a travesty that certain elements, within the institutions that are created for the strict enforcement of the law, tend to go beyond their boundaries and into a forbidden realm of authority. While this does not apply to all members of law enforcement, it is sad to note that their arbitrary actions go seemingly unchecked or not acted upon by those directly responsible for their actions. These elements take on the role of a jury, judge and executioner, and so what? It happened in Puerto Rico, so nobody s going to care. But, had this happened in the United States, could the repercussions have been different? I think so. Look at what happened at Ruby Ridge or Waco, Texas. Because of the tremendous media coverage given to these two incidents and because of the backlash resulting from the government s faulty actions, the law enforcement community has had to re-evaluate its procedures and methods for handling certain confrontational situations. Regarding Vieques, you are right, 7 million dollars is not enough. It just gives more credence to the sad notion that the U.S. regards the inhabitants of Puerto Rico as an inferior people and feels it can do whatever it pleases.

Mr. Harry Santiago writes,

Sir, first and foremost I would like to commend you on writing about our culture. Whether right or wrong, the educational effect that your article offers is very refreshing. I'm a 46 year old Jibarito that was born on the island. I came to the states in 1969 to "look for a better life." Today, I'm educated, have two businesses, live in a very nice area and have a lovely familia. Our family is well knit and we keep our Boricua culture alive everyday through our language, food and customs. Amigo, I grew up believing that Puerto Rico should indeed become the 51st state. This was the result of our familia believing it should. Once I became better educated, I realized that I no longer wanted "Nuestro Pais" to become a state.

In my honest and humbled opinion, "why buy the cow if the milk is free" . . . as the famous saying goes. El Grito de Lares is just one date in our history that to me, symbolized a movement during that era. History is always interesting, I love to learn more and more about our history. But we also have to live in the real world. Today, there are Gritos going on all over our dear island as the result of a thing called CRIME....Every time I talk to someone from the island you hear this often: Did the FBI commit a crime? Or were they simply trying to capture a known criminal???? I have hardly any pity in my heart for those individual that choose to commit crimes...Our dear Pais is full of criminals, dealing drugs and killing people......Personally, I wish the FBI would step up their involvement in our island and help to reduce the crime rate and get these thugs out period.

I thank you again for what you do and giving me the opportunity to express my opinion. I hope I made some sense here. Con Mucho Respeto y Amor Boricua. 

Thank you, Mr. Santiago for your response. Okay, okay, maybe I was a little too harsh on the FBI. And maybe the FBI just didn t really know that the day they set out to arrest Filiberto Ojeda, September 23rd 2005, coincided with a date we have been commemorating for over one hundred and thirty-five years. Maybe they didn t anticipate an exchange of gunfire. And maybe, Don Filiberto Ojeda was the criminal the FBI alleges he was. And maybe I was wrong . . . maybe. I just would like to ask the FBI one thing: Please, can you be a little more sensitive next time? I believe the FBI provides an invaluable service to the security of my beloved country, as well as Puerto Rico, my beloved ancestral home. After all, we are all humans and apt to make mistakes from time to time. It will take me a little time, but I will forget this terrible incident and place my trust in the good people of the FBI once again. Now regarding the crime in Puerto Rico, it is unfortunate that the FBI cannot assist in matters that pertain to the police or to local jurisdictions. This task must be left to the leaders of Puerto Rico. It is they who have the power and, hopefully, the wisdom to deal with these matters. It is troubling to know that crime is so widespread in Puerto Rico and perhaps the offspring of an economic condition that may warrant a closer look. Regarding your views on an independent Puerto Rico, there are many who think like you. In the end, however, it is up to the people of Puerto Rico to decide on their future.

Mr. Julio Gomez writes,
Does the author of this article, Anthony Ramos, believe the actions of the federal government were correct irrespective of the date selected for the action taken? While our federal government could have been more selective about their date, they nonetheless, did the right thing in my opinion. American First, Puerto Rican ALWAYS!! 

Thank you, Mr. Gomez for your response. As I stated in my article, I do not know the circumstances behind the FBI s pursuit of don Filiberto Ojeda except that which is known publicly, namely, his alleged involvement in a criminal act. Furthermore, it would be irresponsible for me (and you) to draw conclusions on whether the FBI was right or wrong lacking the evidence with which to make an informed opinion. I might remind you that evidence is the key element in a criminal trial and now that Mr. Ojeda is dead, we will never know whether he was innocent or guilty. It is a travesty that we (the general public) are so hasty in making assumptions about a person s innocence or guilt based on radio broadcasts, newspaper reports and hearsay. These human fallacies notwithstanding, that was not the crux of my article. Whether the FBI did the right thing or not is not the central issue here, in fact it is on the periphery of my article. What is the issue is the FBI s lack of sensitivity. And if the FBI does not have a department that looks into the historical calendar of a city, state or even an island nation, then perhaps it is high time that one ought to be established. Just like you, Mr. Gomez, I am an American and proud to be one. But I am also a descendent of Puerto Ricans and that is something that can never be erased from my heart!

Ms. Cynthia Figueroa writes,

You are absolutely 100% on point!! I totally agree with your sentiments; I am proud to be born American, but the love that I have for my people and my heritage and the pride that I have for the fact that I am of Puerto Rican descent, completely surpasses that. Our people and our island have been disrespected far too long. If this wasn't a "wake-up" call, then I don't know what is!! The whole situation is infuriating and a complete and utter shame. 

Thank you, Cynthia for your response. Indeed our people have been disrespected far too long. I don t really know how much our two congressmen and one congresswoman can do to assuage the deep pain and insult wrought upon us by the FBI s callousness and insensitivity. And although they have raised their voices at the FBI, I fear that nothing of significant consequence will come about, and that s the damnable misery of it all. Unless we unite and shout in one clear voice, we will always suffer these kinds of indignities. I can only suggest that you write to your congressmen or your representative and demand to know the status of the FBI s investigation into this unfortunate incident.

Miguel Hernández Torres writes,

First, let me say that I believe Puerto Rico has outgrown its democratization training wheels and more than ready to ride solo. Everyone in Puerto Rico even the most ardent statehood advocate refer to the island as "mi pais" my nation, my country etc. And, when they use the term, "pais" they are not talking about the United States of America. The mind-set is that Puerto Ricans think of themselves as a separate people or, if you will, as a nation and not as an appendage to the US. Furthermore, it's clear to me that most Americans don't think of Puerto Rico as being part of the U.S and those that do would be just as happy if it were not.

Regardless of the mind-set described above, many Puerto Ricans (island as well as stateside residents) are legitimately concerned about Puerto Rico's economic viability should it be come an independent, sovereign nation. The Dominican Republic, Haiti and other poor hemispheric nations are often used as examples of what lies in store should Puerto Rico become independent. However Puerto Rico is far different from those places given its 107 year historical relationship to the US and the advancements Puerto Ricans have made in social, economic and political terms, in all that time. Furthermore there are a number of small Caribbean islands that were former colonies of England, France and Holland that are doing better (in relative terms) that Puerto Rico is now doing under American domination. In summary, I am, for these and other reasons, a proponent of Puerto Rican independence and that no great calamity will befall it after its independence.

That said, I am writing to express my dismay at the over emphasis of the Lares revolt of 1868 as an ultra symbol of Puerto Rican aspirations for independence. We have placed many of the leaders of the Lares Revolt on a pedestal and glorify them as altruists when in fact most of them were slaveholders and not abolitionists, with the exception of Betances. About 10% of the participants were slaves and peons who I believe were coerced the "hacendados" with a tenuous promise of freedom. In essence were they were forced conscripts.

And, like those British subjects who participated in the Boston Tea Party and helped precipitate the American Revolution, there was no great patriotic motive among the leaders of Lares Revolt. It was more about eliminating usurious debts that about creating an independent nation. Their primary goal was to get a hold of and destroy the ledgers of the Spanish elite in Lares to whom the Criollo landowners who led the revolt owed money to. In fact the ledgers of the lenders [were] the first thing[s] they went after and burned.

As we all know, the Lares Revolt lasted all of 2 days, at most. After taking possession of the town from the mayor and other civilian authorities (including a few police) the Lares contingent marched on to the nearby town of San Sebastian where they were defeated by the local militia made up of (largely) native Puerto Ricans. The regular and professional; Spanish Army unit that came from Arecibo had no role in the battle of San Sebastian that effectively ended the Revolt. Those who led the Revolt had little or no military experience and their incompetence in the field of war had serious consequences.

Unsuccessful though it was the Revolt according to some Puerto Rican historians and political scientists did signal the true beginning of the idea of an independent Puerto Rico. But, it took PR 30 years to gain a more autonomous form of government in 1898 and in a few short months the Spanish American War ended that and for the last 100 plus years PR has been an American colony. So, in my opinion the Lares Revolt has been wrongly cast as a seminal event in Puerto Rican history. It was a political as well as a military disaster that to date has produced little but an annual opportunity for some activists to talk about American imperialism

So, if we want to talk about seminal historical events then let s talk about the 80 invasions, incursions etc. of Puerto Rico by various foreign nations and how we Puerto Ricans were the major players in rejecting the invading forces. We only failed in 1898 when we mistakenly believed that the US would grant us independence from Spain and by and large welcomed them to our shores.

Finally, let me say that I don't believe for one second that the FBI chose September 21 as the day to go after don Filiberto. In my opinion, the Bureau made its decision on logistical and tactical basics how much equipment and many agents can we get to the site before don Filiberto moves to another safe house. That's how the Bureau makes its plans. Politically significant dates are never considerations. The date chosen might be considered by some to be insensitive but the FBI does not have a community relations function that would have told them. If you are going to take don Filiberto down, do it on another day that's not going to piss the community off.  

Thank you, Mr. Hernandez for your response. While I concede to the fact that most of the rebels involved in the Lares insurrection were land and slave owners that found themselves indebted to Spanish merchants you must also understand that the founding fathers of the United States were themselves land and slave owners. Despite America s founding fathers being slave owners, it did not cheapen or diminish their noble cause to rebel against imperial England. It took a civil war to finally abolish slavery in America but it was part of the growing pains of what would become the world s only superpower. I understand your views that perhaps the Lares uprising was nothing more than a skirmish by inadequately armed and poorly trained men but at the very least it gave Puerto Ricans hope. And hope, Mr. Hernandez, is a powerful elixir and the impetus behind any acts of rebellion. To minimize the Lares uprising, as you have so eloquently put forth, is tantamount to calling the Boston Massacre a garden party. I disagree with you because the events and memories of El Grito De Lares are what Puerto Ricans draw upon for strength in their quest for independence. We must never erase that glimmer of hope. Regarding your defense of the FBI, I also disagree with you because nothing is done by the FBI without calculation. I am convinced they acted upon their political proclivities and propensity for symbolism. In short, it was a deliberate act made with the intentions of warning Puerto Ricans to think twice before exercising their God-given right to become independent.

Half & Half

A long time ago, back when I was in elementary school, the faculty had invited a man to speak to the students. The man s name was Piri Thomas. To an elementary student, with his mind on playing ball, girlfriends and other non-academic things, the name or the man incited no interest. We were all gathered into the auditorium that day in full assembly and witnessed Piri Thomas speak about his life and the trials that he went through living in Spanish Harlem as an adolescent and later as a young adult.

Later on in life, I realized how important Mr. Thomas s appearance was and how I cheated myself out of truly listening to what the man had to say. He told us that he was half Black and half Puerto Rican and said that he was proud of that because he had the best of both worlds. Most of what he said remains a blur in my mind because that was over thirty years ago. Mr. Thomas was invited to the school because he was a person of note. He had just written Down These Mean Streets, an autobiography that received critical acclaim. I have copied a description of Piri Thomas s book directly from Barnes & Noble.com. If you are interested in reading the description, it will be displayed at the end of this article.

Other half Puerto Ricans that come to mind are Tony Orlando (half Puerto Rican and half Greek) and Freddie Prinze (half Puerto Rican and half Hungarian). I remember a joke that Freddie Prinze once said after he became rich and famous. He said that he bought his mother a new house in the suburbs but that she found the neighborhood too quiet, so he hired a guy to sit outside and break bottles. Freddie was a funny man.

I imagine there are many half Puerto Ricans living in the US and on the island, but are they outsiders because their other half is from another nationality? Piri Thomas never forgot his Puerto Rican heritage and neither did Freddie Prinze nor Tony Orlando. In fact, these famous people were very proud of their Puerto Rican roots and never once denied who they were. I feel that many full-blooded Puerto Ricans tend to reject half Puerto Ricans and I have grown to detest this form of bigotry. In my opinion, we full-blooded Puerto Ricans ought to embrace all half Puerto Ricans as our brothers and sisters, whether half Black, half Mexican, half Cuban, half Dominican or half whatever. These are very special people because in some point in their lives they will face an identity crisis. We ought to help them pass through this rough period in their lives by making them feel wanted and loved. We ought to show them that we will never reject them. What is your opinion? Can you name other famous half Puerto Ricans?

Quoted from Barnes & Noble.Com
Thirty years ago Piri Thomas made literary history with this lacerating, lyrical memoir of his coming of age on the streets of Spanish Harlem. Here was the testament of a born outsider: a Puerto Rican in English-speaking America; a dark-skinned morenito in a family that refused to acknowledge its African blood. Here was an unsparing document of Thomas's plunge into the deadly consolations of drugs, street fighting, and armed robbery a descent that ended when the twenty-two-year-old Piri was sent to prison for shooting a cop.

As he recounts the journey that took him from adolescence in El Barrio to a lock-up in Sing-Sing to the freedom that comes of self-acceptance, faith, and inner confidence, Piri Thomas gives us a book that is as exultant as it is harrowing and whose every page bears the irrepressible rhythm of its author's voice. Thirty years after its first appearance, this classic of manhood, marginalization, survival, and transcendence is available in an anniversary edition with a new Introduction by the author. 

Reader Comments/Article 10

Shanelle Jimenez writes,
My Name is Shanelle Jimenez. I am in the United States Air Force where I met my 100% Boricua husband that I love. I love your section In My Opinion . I am currently deployed, so reading your articles help my day go by quicker. I do have a question, and maybe you can make it a posting some day. My husband and I have been married for nearly 3 years and together for 4. It s been a hard road, a lot of people do not except our marriage. I am Black (with a mixture of a bunch of stuff) but look Hispanic from what I am told. You have the Black s who are upset because they feel he stole one of their good ones. And then you have the Puerto Ricans who feel I am not good enough for him because I am not Puerto Rican. Se habla muy poquito Español (and I am still learning) porque I was raised in Texas. I cook all the food (better than my husband), I know way more about the history than most Puerto Ricans I have met, I listen and sing most of the Spanish music better than my husband. But yet it s not good enough to people, I don t get it; we are all minorities. What is it that people have against our relationship? We are happy, we love each other s families, and we embrace each other s culture. It is a perfect match, except he is not Black and I am not Puerto Rican. I do all that because very soon we are going to be having kids, and I want my kids to know about their Puerto Rican culture, and I can help my husband teach them, like I will them about their Black History. Because I don t look 100% Black, already I get made fun of but to top it off because I listen to the music, try to speak the language and cook the food. It is said that I am trying to be Puerto Rican, or that I am not Black enough. WHAT IS THE BIG ISSUE &.I would love to know? Thank you for you time, and sorry for the rambling. 

Thank you for your email Shanelle, and thank you for your kind words, my dear. Frankly, I really don t know what to tell you.
People are plain fickle. When you think they re going to be pleased about something, they re not, and when you think they re not, well, they are. I have stopped trying to impress people. I have stopped living my life in a manner that people approve of man those days are so over! My philosophy is this: If you cannot accept me as I am, then it is you who has the problem and not me. And if you still have a problem with me, then you are not my friend and I don t need you. People need to stop being judgmental. As the saying goes, People that live in glass houses, shouldn t throw stones.  Shanelle, you go on living your life according to your ideals, morality, religious and personal points of view, and if anyone should have a problem with that, then they are not your friend and you don t need them. The only person you have to answer to is God, and He will not frown upon you for choosing a Puerto Rican, Chinese, Russian, or whatever, because in His eyes, we are all his creation, his children.

Johnny Ortiz writes,

I read the article "Half and Half". I must say that I was very pleased at the way you articulate in your writing and helping the readers understand what you write. I wanted to write and mention to you that I am a full-blooded Puerto Rican and proud of my heritage, and when I see the P.R. flag I smile, but I wanted to share something. There are times when few people try to make me feel out of place because I do not speak Puerto Rican that well or that I grew up in a different part of town than most Ricans. I grew up with my sister and my mother who worked three jobs at times to keep us out of the rougher neighborhoods. What gets me is that those same people who try to put me down because I can't speak the language or grew up elsewhere don't even know their history, can't tell you what part of the Island they originate from, or don't know how the Island of Puerto Rico came to be! I don't believe that being 100% P.R. is [about] knowing the language, hanging a flag, or lowering your car. It is [about] knowing and being proud of the Puerto Rican [that] you are in your heart. My children are half and half, and I take pride in sharing with them their history and knowing where they come from, who they are and will become. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. You write well and I look forward to reading your future articles. 

Thank you for your email Johnny. I would like to thank you for your compliments, too; believe me, they go a long way. Over the years, I have come to an understanding. People can say whatever they want to say, they can also react the way they want to react and nothing I can say or do will ever change their minds or opinions. With that in mind, I have resolved to disregard them and live my life according to me. Furthermore, I do not have to justify my existence to anyone except for God, the All Mighty. Johnny I praise your efforts in teaching your children all about their Puerto Rican culture, and do not feel bad that you do not speak Spanish as well as your island counterparts. Keep up the struggle, my brother, you have a great responsibility in raising your children. God bless you and your family!

Mindblowinscorpio (Sheila) writes,

I just read your article, Half & Half , and the comments submitted by other readers. Well I also have a story. I have been influenced by Puerto Ricans immensely; well most of my family is Puerto Rican. I grew up in Spanish Harlem, yo hablo Español and everything, pero paresco morena porque lo soy. My mother and father were born in Puerto Rico, they raised me and my two sisters and five brothers as one big family. Only four of the children were my mom s birth children, the others were foster children, which she later adopted. My mother used to say Mai es la que crea no la que pare  (meaning mother is not only the act of giving birth but raising a child with the emphasis on raising because its the hardest part). I grew up eating arroz con habichuelas, doing everything you can imagine that s Puerto Rican, and being exactly the same as any other Puerto Rican except for the fact that my biological parents were African-American, from Harlem. I remember as a kid, my mother and I coming into our building, my mother was ahead of me, I was little and a man asked me, Is that your mother?  It was amazing for me to have so many experiences like that and to have so many ups and down. I have my own family now, and I regret not teaching my kids how to speak Spanish. I'm starting to teach my little one, he's only two years old. But the thing I have an issue with is that nobody can look at me and see me for who I am. The only way they know I speak Spanish is if I come out and speak it, which I rarely do, or if I tell them, 'I speak Spanish'. When I do it's beautiful to be able to communicate in their language, especially other Hispanos who are not fluent in English and they love it. I've had neighbors from Guatemala, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, and it's been a pleasure being able to speak to them in Spanish. I feel for the guy who responded to your article, Half & Half , and says he just found out that his father is Puerto Rican and how he finds it lacking not knowing the language. Language is such an important part of any culture especially for Hispanos. I would tell him: stick to it, embrace your family and your culture and keep working on your Spanish, you can do it. I hope that one day my kids will study Spanish seriously so I can converse with them. But even though I share the culture, the language, and a [Spanish] last name, I feel like I'm not complete because I'm still a morena and seen as such. My mother was great, she passed away almost two years ago; does anyone know anyone like her, a person who would open her heart and home to children regardl