Puerto Rico Quarter

It's official..the Puerto Rico quarter is now available.You can go to www.usmint.gov and place an order for two-roll sets (40 coins per roll) at $32.95, bags of 100 coins at $32.95 or bags of 1,000 coins at $309.95.

Read this article at
Coin Collecting News for more info.

Free Latin Jazz Concert

Check this out!! Yes, This is a FREE concert being held Thursday, April 9th 2009 at 7pm.....
LARRY HARLOW'S LATIN JAZZ ENCOUNTER
featuring
Larry Harlow- keyboards
Bobby Sanabria-drums
Chembo Corniel- congas/percussion
Ray Martinez- bass
Mac Gollehon -trumpet
Frank Fontaine- baritone sax/flute
The concert is being held at:
Americas Society NYC
680 Park Ave NYC (E.68-69th St)
NYC
212-628 3200

This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited and
reservations are REQUIRED.



NOTE: RSVP ASAP..a concert by Spanish Harlem Orchestra has recieved such overwhelming response that reservations are no longer being accepted. I'm sure the same will happen here. Que los disfruten!

Puerto Rico Statehood Debate

Again and again....the 110 year old question of Puerto Rico's status was debated by panelist, that included former New York Gov. George Pataki, at a Fordham Law School forum on March 26, 2009. Unfortunately, the only real status' discussed here seem to be that of statehood and enhanced commonwealth. Read the article here....

Milestone

This month, I have reached a milestone in my life. As I have written in my about me, I have served in the Air Force, Air Force Reserves and the Air National Guard. Now, after twenty years, I have decided the time has come to hang up my uniform for the last time.

I joined the Air Force just after completing high school thinking this was my only opportunity in furthering my education. The lack of counseling in school and growing up in a single parent household led me to be believe that a college education was not affordable to me. By the time I realized otherwise, I had already served my first enlistment and had decided to continue in the Air Force Reserves. After a recall to active duty for Desert Storm, I decided enough was enough and took some time away from military service. During that time I took the opportunity and enrolled in some college classes which would eventually lead to an A.A.S in Aircraft Maintenance Technology. Missing the camaraderie, I decided to go back into the Air Force Reserves and eventually made the move into the Air National Guard.

Now, after twenty years, I don't regret having served in the military. Yet, with what I now know, I have made every effort to make sure that my children know the opportunities they have are limitless. It has been a long journey and one that I will not forget. I am now prepared to close this chapter in my life and continue on to other endeavors.

MTV Stereotype II

An update on MTV's "True Life: I'm a Nuyorican".....Meeting this week between hispanic media coalition, MTV and Nuyoricans Against MTV's True Life. Stand up, mi gente!!! Let's get MTV to showcase some positive Nuyoricans. Sign the petition.....firme la petición.

Puerto Rican Artisan at Long Island Traditions

Here is nice website I came upon that I want to share...as per their website,Long Island Traditions, Inc. is a group dedicated to documenting and preserving the living cultural traditions of Long Island's ethnic, occupational and architectural heritage. They have, under their ethnic artist profiles , a nice listing documenting local Long Islanders of different ethnic backgrounds from music to the arts.
One fine example is fellow Puerto Rican, Juan Francisco Torres of Lares, Puerto Rico. Disfruten.

Independencia, ¿por qué no?

Independence, “why not?” at Suffolk University students meeting by José R. Bas García - independencia.net

Ponce Massacre/Masacre de Ponce - March 21, 1937

A parade request was made by and granted to the Nationalists in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
As the Cadets of the Republic, youth organization, and the Nurses' Corps gathered in preparation to march, the permit was rescinded.
They were still determined to march, as this was a peaceful march to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico on March 22, 1837 and to demand the release of imprisoned Puerto Rican prisoners, including Pedro Albizu Campos.
No arms were carried by the marchers as, again, this was a peaceful march.
The playing of the Puerto Rican national anthem, the beginning of the march......heavily armed police surround the marchers and order them to halt.
A shot was fired, chaos ensued then machine gun fire from police engulfed the marchers.
In what lasted 10 to 15 minutes...20 dead and more than 150 wounded...became known as the Ponce Massacre (Masacre de Ponce). Seventy two years ago on Palm Sunday, March 21, 1937.

"The purpose was to frighten the whole Puerto Rican people with a show of crude brutality, a massacre."
Juan Antonio Corretjer. Albuzu Campos and the
Ponce Massacre. World View Publishers,1965

"The American Civil Liberties Union recognized the dogmatic , fanatical frame of mind of the 'Nationalists' but concluded that there had been a gross violation of civil rights and incredible police brutality."
Arturo Morales Carrion. Puerto Rico, A Political
and Cultural History. W. W. Norton & Company,1983

A few resources:

-Ponce Massacre - Google
-Masacre de Ponce - Google
-Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico
-Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico - New York
-Puerto Rican Nationalist Youth of New York

Casa de la Masacre de Ponce

West Side Story Revival on Broadway

The NY Daily News ran a story in their Latino section about Karen Olivo's role in the revival of Broadway's West Side Story last week. The latina (Dominican, Puerto Rican and Chinese descent) from Washington Heights is developing quite the resume. If you missed it, you can read the article here..

Stawiarz/Getty

AIG and ......who else???

It has been an AIG in the news week thus far. It's obvious to me that these bonus hungry knuckleheads don't get it. They are completely oblivious to the fact that we are in a recession or maybe they just don't care. Yea, right, they're willing to give up 50 % of those bonuses....could it be because of the 100% tax that is being thrown around by lawmakers? I don't know but maybe congressional leaders should start by also giving up their automatic pay raises. These may not be as hefty as AIG bonuses but it sure would be a fine example to all. Now, who's next? Maybe a little more scrutiny and accountability is in order here. The taxpayers deserve to know how and where their tax dollars are being spent. No more bailouts unless this happens....Obama says 'buck stops with me' ....

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Looting goes far beyond bonuses: AIG doled out payments to a small group of banks, including UBS
by Juan Gonzalez at The NY Daily News

What a Shame.....

"los Nuyoricans son una verguenza para puerto rico.
Cuando estoy en el aeropuerto y veo que llega un idiota de estos con una cadenita plastica en el cuello de la banderita de puerto rico, lo que me provoca es entrarle a batazos en las costillas...."

This is just one of many comments I have come across in discussion boards, comments, etc., while on the internet. Unfortunately, this is the very thing that feeds the divisiveness between Puerto Ricans on the island and those in the U.S. As sad as this is, we will always have ignorance among us. Instead of focusing their energy on ways to promote the culture and bring all together they choose to spew ignorant remarks against their own people. We have to move beyond that ignorance and realize that we share much more than we think. Puerto Rican migration is a two way street that has been going on for generations. We are not seen as separate in the the U.S. but as one and the same.

I was born in New York of two Puerto Rican parents and their blood runs through my veins. I have as much love for Puerto Rico as those who live and were born there and probably more than some. I have made it my mission to continue to learn as much as I can about Puerto Rican culture and although I am much bigger than such negativity it still sad to read and see it. A good friend once said, " I know many Puerto Ricans, born in Puerto Rico, who are so colonized they hate being Puerto Rican " Maybe he was a little harsh or maybe not. Regardless of where you were born or where you live sometimes a little reminder doesn't hurt. Despiertan !!!....

Boricua en la luna

Desde las ondas del mar
que son besos a su orilla,
una mujer de Aguadilla
vino a New York a cantar.
Pero no, solo a llorar
un largo llanto y morir.
De ese llanto yo nací
como la lluvia una fiera.
Y vivo en larga espera
de cobrar lo que perdí.

Por un cielo que se hacía
mas feo mas más volaba
a Nueva York se acercaba
un peón de Las Marías
Con la esperanza, decía,
de un largo día volver.
Pero antes me hizo nacer
Y de tanto trabajar
se quedo sin regresar:
reventó en un taller.

De una lagrima soy hijo
y soy hijo del sudor
y fue mi abuelo el amor
único en mi regocijo
del recuerdo siempre fijo
en aquel cristal del llanto
como quimera en el canto
de un Puerto Rico de ensueño
y yo soy Puertorriqueño,
sin na, pero sin quebranto.

Y el "echón" que me desmienta
que se ande muy derecho
no sea en lo mas estrecho
de un zaguán pague la afrenta.
Pues según alguien me cuenta:
dicen que la luna es una
sea del mar o sea montuna.
Y así le grito al villano:
yo sería borincano
aunque naciera en la luna.

-Juan Antonio Corretjer




Very interesting article......
http://www.drclas.harvard.edu/revista/articles/view/1063

Willie Colon

Salsa legend Willie Colon has been hospitalized for gallbladder stones. Let's wish him well on a speedy recovery.

Willie Colon hospitalized in NY, cancels concert

MTV Stereotype ?

MTV's "True Life: I'm a Nuyorican" which first aired on January 25, 2009 has all the makings of the usual negative stereotypes of a Nuyorican. Again, only the negative, now...where are the positive stories? Where is the balance?

As Erasmo Guerra reports in the NY Daily News: .....MTV's 'I'm a Nuyorican' not getting El Barrio love. Well, this Boricua isn't giving it any love. You can sign the online petition here for Nuyoricans Against MTV’s True Life.

Added Links

I have added US-PuertoRicans.org and VirtualBoricua.org to my links of interest. I found them both to be very informative and helpful websites. From community events to politics to poetry to history to everything Puerto Rican, you want to know then it's all there.

Don't just call yourself a Boricua because that's what you were always told you were, learn its meaning. Siempre palante, Mi Gente!!

Enjoy this excellent video feuturing Mariposa reciting her poem "Ode to the Diasporican"

Produced by Lenina Nadal.Video courtesy Quaziemotto62 via Youtube.

Change

Dictionary.com defines change as:

1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.
2. to transform or convert (usually fol. by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3. to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

These are just a few meanings for the word change.
As I was speaking to a friend today the conversation turned to our jobs. I couldn't help but stop him in his tracks when it seemed like all he was doing was complaining. I immediately told him, as a friend, to stop complaining and to not allow those thing s to keep him from moving on. There was a time when I began to do the same but when I realized what I was doing I decided to make a change. I'm not talking change because Obama is President. I made a change long before he was president. We should be ready to accept change and make changes in our lives all the time . Imagine yourself as a person who goes to work everyday, sits at the same table, drinks a cup of coffee and reads the morning paper. That person shows up one morning and management has decided to move things around. What do you do? Rant and rave or accept the change as an opportunity for a fresh start.

Bottom line : if you just constantly complain then you fall in line with the rest of the ducks and negativity becomes a part of your everyday life. Think positive and prepare yourself for change.

Consider this: Some get something, some get nothing......
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson M.D.
also more @ Wikipedia

Juan Antonio Corretjer

Puerto Rican National poet and revolutionary independentista. Born March 3, 1908 in Ciales, Puerto Rico. Read more.....

Jones Act

On March 2, 1917 the Jones-Shafroth Act was signed into law by then President Woodrow Wilson.This law gave Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship. Were they asked if they wanted this citizenship? No. President Wilson welcomed the Puerto Ricans into their "fathers house" while, in Puerto Rico, Jose De Diego refused the invitation. Just days after taking office, the newly elected legislative representatives, allocated $25,000 of their own money to hold a plebiscite. The hope was to overrule the Jones Act. Only Congress could approve a plebiscite, and to even approach Congress, islanders had to be Americans. The plebiscite never happened then.

In a population of more than 1.2 million people, only 288 Puerto Ricans refused to give up their "God given identity." What a shame it is that Puerto Ricans get to vote in a Presidential primary, yet those same Puerto Ricans cannot vote in an actual Presidential election. The Jones Act may have given Puerto Ricans citizenship but to this day it is still the oldest colony on earth.


Fernandez, Ronald. The Disenchanted Island: Puerto Rico and the United States in the Twentieth Century(Praeger, 2nd edition, 1996)