Boricuas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings--An Anthology

by Roberto Santiago (Editor/Contributor)

MANY CULTURES * ONE WORLD
"Boricua is what Puerto Ricans call one another as a term of endearment, respect, and cultural affirmation; it is a timeless declaration that transcends gender and color. Boricua is a powerful word that tells the origin and history of the Puerto Rican people."
--From the Introduction
From the sun-drenched beaches of a beautiful, flamboyan-covered island to the cool, hard pavement of the fierce South Bronx, the remarkable journey of the Puerto Rican people is a rich story full of daring defiance, courageous strength, fierce passions, and dangerous politics--and it is a story that continues to be told today. Long ignored by Anglo literature studies, here are more than fifty selections of poetry, fiction, plays, essays, monologues, screenplays, and speeches from some of the most vibrant and original voices in Puerto Rican literature.


Contents:

Catharsis. Here by Sandra Maria Esteves
To the Persecuted by José de Diego
The Sounds of Sixth Street by Martita Morales
A Letter to a Child Like Me by José Torres
It Is Raining Today by Sandra Maria Esteves
How to Know the Puerto Ricans by Jesus Colon
Island of Lost Causes by Esmeralda Santiago
Hallelujahs by José de Diego
Puerto Rican Nationalism by Pedro Albizu Campos
On Recent Disturbances in Puerto Rico by Luis Muñoz Marin
The Boy Without a Flag by Abraham Rodriguez, Jr.
Grand River of Loiza by Julia de Burgos
The "Lamento Borincano" by José Luis González
The Party (From Palante! Young Lords Party) by Pablo Guzman
Los Macheteros by Ronald Fernandez
Double Allegiance by Rosario Morales
Child of the Americas by Aurora Levins Morales
Ay Ay Ay, of the Kinky Negress by Julia de Burgos
Puerto Ricans: Between Black and White by Clara E. Rodriguez
Nigger-Reecan Blues by Willie Perdomo
Black and Latino by Roberto Santiago
Babylon for the Babylonians (From Down These Mean Streets) by Piri Thomas
African Things by Victor Hernandez Cruz
The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer
A Mongo Affair by Miguel Algarin
Puerto Rican Obituary by Pedro Pietri
The Konk by Piri Thomas
The Story of My Body by Judith Ortiz Cofer
To Julia de Burgos by Julia de Burgos
Hangin' (Out) with the Homeboys by Joséph B. Vasquez
Niggerlips by Martin Espada
Little Things Are Big by Jesus Colon
The Docile Puerto Rican - Literature and Psychological Reality by René Marqués
The American Invasion of Macun (From When I Was Puerto Rican) by Esmeralda Santiago
Urban reality. Monday Morning by Pedro Pietri
"Looking Good" by Freddie Prinze
Carlito's Way by Edwin Torres
Short Eyes by Miguel Piñero
Poppa Dio! by Reinaldo Povod
Bayaminina by Pedro Juan Soto
Roots (From Palante! Young Lords Party) by Felipe Luciano
I Became My Own Path by Julia de Burgos
Yoruba (From The Santeria Experience) by Migene Gonzalez -Wippler
Aunt Rosana's Rocker by Nicholasa Mohr
Aerobics for Love by Ana Lydia Vega
Malig; Malig & Sal; Sal. (From Dominoes and Other Stories from The Puerto Rican) by Jack Agüeros
My Old Flame by Ed Morales
HIV by Miguel Algarin
Poem for My Death by Julia de Burgos
Dedicated to Maria Rodriguez Martinez - February 24, 1975 by Lucky CienFuegos
The Freddie Prinze Story by Maria Graniela de Pruetzel
A Special Kind of Courage: Bernard Carabello by Geraldo Rivera
Loiza Aldea by Victor Hernandez Cruz
Redemption. The Final Act by José de Diego

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Latinx, Short Stories, Race, Latino, Essays

401 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 1995

Reviews

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once used the term "los Anglos" with a Puerto Rican bunk mate of mine. "Who's that? he asked. "The Americans around us". If I had to choose one synecdoche for Latin America, and indeed the whole Third World, it would be Puerto Rico, with its "four-story house" of indigenous, African, Spanish and American influences. The division between the island Puerto Ricans and the "NyoRicans" on the U.S. mainland is another powerful metaphor of colonialism and the seeds of division it sows; think of Chicano/Mexican and Havana versus Havana Cubans. "Boricuas", from Boricua, the Indian name of the island, is an anthology of fiction and non-fiction writings adding up to what the Cuban author Miguel Barnet calls "testimonial literature". Here we have the memoirs of Piri Thomas, growing up in "the mean streets of New York" thinking he was white until the Anglos told him he was Black. Puerto Rican female poetry from the island, among the most famous in the canon of Latin American literature, is fittingly well-represented, along with dramatist, poet, junkie Miguel Pinero ("The Bodega Sold Dreams"). If I have one bone to pick with this volume is that the editor has omitted some fine pieces from the Seventies version of this anthology, particularly a moving essay, "Grandma, Please Don't Come!" (to the USA, that is) and "A Puerto Rican {Catholic} Mass of Liberation."

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a self proclaimed Nuyorican, I'm trying to read and educate myself on where my family comes from and I absolutely loved all the excerpts in this book. I want to read the full versions and continue on my journey and this was a great stepping stone. It has a bit of everything, from history to stories of love and poetry.

[Roberto Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like coming home

A good read for anyone, but if you're Puerto Rican even more so. It is a launching pad for all the content these people have written. Read it then go get more from the many references contained within. Loved it!

[Seven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST HAVE IF YOU ARE BORICUA

[May Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: A great compilation of Puerto Rican Stories and poems. I would highly recommend for those who want a flavor of how this writing style is uniquely different/beautiful, or for those interested in working on Latin American Literature in general.

Sadly, I read this on a plane, left the book for someone else to enjoy and lost where I stored the review. I remember enjoying this book and thinking it's even better if you know a bit of Spanish and Puerto Rican culture. I grew up around Boriquas so was excited when I saw a book of this nature.

The topics chosen feel so "real" for lack of a better way to say it. Real to the way I grew up and the people I knew to be cultural different in a beautiful way. The writing style is uniquely different; and I think this is important to understand. There is a bit of G. Garcia Marquez in the sense of the way reality is displayed in words, but yet no. And I think that's the point. The Latin American experience, both overseas and those that write with this dual culture in America is NOT 1 thing. This book is awesome b/c it is distinctly PR. It's not even Caribbean latino. It is PR. To really appreciate this, you will want to catch that difference as you read.

Super rhythmic beautiful language. Kudos for this collection of stories and poems.

[Claire Zelmanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all compilations are compiled well but this was a work of art. I read this in preparation for a vacation to Puerto Rico and it was a wonderful mix of history, culture, politics and flavor of puerto rico.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a way to prepare for a reporting trip to Puerto Rico. I like to read about the place where I am going, but usually I choose one novel instead of an anthology. This anthology helped me really get a sense of the breadth of Puerto Rican literature and history, on the island and in the diaspora. It was published in 1995 and I am curious about what an updated edition would look like today. Reading this book I felt very aware of how little I had previously understood of Puerto Rican history both on the island and in the mainland. I'm grateful to have read it. My only complaint is that Section 5, "Urban Reality," was written entirely by men and seemed to be geared toward being as dark and gritty as possible in such a way that I did not actually believe it to be reality. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to enrich their knowledge of Puerto Rico or the varied experiences of Puerto Ricans.

[Marisa Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find with Hispanic writers I either love them or hate them. I found it to be true of this book also. A collection of both fiction and non-fiction stories. It featured such great writers as Esmeralda Santiago, Piri Thomas and Judith Ortiz Cofer. I wasn't too crazy about the poetry. I also didn't like the political edge of some of the stories particularly the ones that favored the "independistas" as they had a very communistic feel to them.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, sociologically. Though, after a while it became to feel like a very heavy read, a downer. I thoroughly enjoyed the last full chapter, especially since it included writing about other topics outside of sociopolitical topics. Puerto Rican artists write about that but also more and are very imaginative. I did not enjoy any of the poetry, however.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent "first anthology" to Boricua history, culture and literature. Includes what you'd expect, as well as some surprises: I didn't know that Freddie Prinze was half Boricua/half *Hungarian*! I ended up giving away my copy when I was done, because a book this good shouldn't just sit on a shelf!

[Jodeen Olguin-Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm working (& pretending NOT to live) in Puerto Rico, so this book is an interesting look at different perspectives on the complexity of Puerto Rican identity in the context of PR's history of resistance to and acceptance of imperalism.

[Nikole Jewell]

Rene Marquez' piece is probably the most insightful theory I've read in a long time, and "Boy Without a Flag" (possible typo) is probably one of my favorite personal essays I've read. If I hadn't read it my life would suck.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provided an amazing amount of insight into Puerto Rican culture. It was a true exploration and a trip that I needed to make in order to better grasp my own ancestry. The vast experience of these people is so mesmerizing and each chapter held so many surprises. A great read.

[Marilyn Rios · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for all Puerto Ricans and anyone in general, it gives such a great insight into the culture and struggle of Puerto Ricans. It opened my eyes to what a rich history Puerto Rico has and the sadness of how untold it truly is.

[Faye Sleeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent compilation. It gave me a great perspective of the diversity of lives, attitudes and beliefs among Puerto Rican people. While some readings might not have been my preference, they all contributed to a better understanding for my travels to Puerto Rico.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with Great writers!

[Jane Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love this book. definitely one I will reread again in the near future

[Marilyn Pagán-Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on a car trip back from NY, where I attended the commemoration of the 100 years of US invasion in Puerto Rico with my daughters in 1998. Highly recommend this book!

[Corwin Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview, and it's led me to other books. I'd love to read a more current anthology.

[Elizabetine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect anthology that introduces us to different Puerto Rican writers and showcases the struggles of living in the mainland.

[DragonboneChair · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Boricuas: Influential Puerto Rican Writing - An Anthology” is a compilation of Puerto Rican writers edited by journalist Roberto Santiago.

The works chosen speak to the Puerto Rican experience, be it on the island or mainland America, specifically NYC where many families, including my own, immigrated to in the 40s, 50s and 60s.

The book focuses on a diversity of writers and subjects, yet collectively captures themes related to maintaining one’s identity in a society that encourages assimilation into the dominate culture. It speaks to issues of race and identity, due to a culture(USA) rooted in binary views on race. In addition, to the struggles and triumphs of the community as they navigate life for themselves.

Santiago divides the anthology into chapters based on topics. This provides a nice thematic through line to the works that make up those chapters. For me personally, I resonated with the chapters on history and politics and identity and self esteem. Though all the works bring a unique flavor to the anthology. It’s a bit of a tapestry with comedy monologues, scenes from plays, investigative journalist pieces, poetry, and a lot of adults reflecting back on their youth.

What I found most interesting about the book is how much the demographic landscape has changed both in NYC and the larger USA since many of the works were written. These works definitely speak to a bygone era where, at least from reading it, there didn’t seem to be this larger “Latino” umbrella term that encompasses people from Latin America. It makes for an interesting read because of how much NYC has changed since the 1965 immigration act was passed. In many ways this book is my mom and family’s experience and childhood but not my own having been born decades after 1965. That’s not a bad a thing but reading it you get the sense that many of these works were written over 40 years ago.

This was a great read because it exposed me to many writers I sadly hadn’t known existed, due to lack of exposure from schooling but also my own lack of initiative in seeking out Puerto Rican writers. The anthology gave me an opportunity to learn and reflect on my own people’s history in the USA. I feel I know so much more now about issues related to the independence conversation and political movements here in the States than I did before. It also makes me appreciate my own family more, knowing what they had to experience growing up as a minority group in the States in the decades following WWII.

I do wish there were dates connected to each story, I had to contextualize based on slang and particular lines to know what decade I was in, that would be my one criticism.

While I am of Puerto Rican descent I do feel like this could be enjoyed by anyone, as it does speak to common human conflict, internal and external, while also providing readers with back history on the boricua community and experience.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don’t think i’m an anthology girl just because i get so incredibly annoyed with inconsistent quality. some of the works were absolutely brilliant standouts, a lot of it i frankly had to wade through. but an important read nonetheless!

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good collection of writings! One of the best antholgies I've read in a while.

[Andres Rondon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and learn a lot about my history as a Puerto Rican. Lots of great stories and poems.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for my Latinx Writers Living in the US class.

[Melissa]

read this book like a million times