Navigating identity and preserving culture as a Puerto Rican
You must be thinking - what is so important about the Puerto Rican identity that I need to know about it? The relevance? How can I relate to it?
Well, let me ask you this - Have you ever felt like you were in a state of limbo? or perhaps maybe experienced a feeling of confusion about who you are or where you are? Well, we all have at some point in our lives and in a sense this is exactly what's going on with Puerto Ricans and it all starts with history. I will be covering the topics about the impact the American influence has been having and how this has changed the, history, culture, economy and ultimately plays the role of breaking and creating the Puerto Rican identity - leaving citizens in this nation in a state of being 'Half Puerto Rican and Half American'.
The History:
Puerto Rico, a small island in the Caribbean's is conveniently located in a location that was an asset to surrounding countries. Spain was the first to colonize the island in 1508 by Juan Ponce de León and for the next 400 years was run under the rule of Spain. That is a large amount of time to have identities, languages and traditions changed and that is exactly what happened. Before we get into the details of these changes, let's move into our next topic of interest - the 'Spanish-American' war. In 1897, Spain giving up rule in Puerto Rico allowed them to have a taste of what it was like to run the country with its own government and had its independence. However, in 1898, the United States set foot on the land because of the economic and military interests. The islands value showed an outlets for excess manufactured goods and a key naval station in the Caribbean. Now, this is where some people may say was the decision of greatness or the decision of downfall - the citizens initially allowed for this transfer of authority in 1898, with an immense amount of enthusiasm. You may be wondering why? You just got your independence! Well, there was promise of expansion of the American democratic values and economic development. Here is where things didn't go as expected.
The Politics:
So it always begins of with politics doesn't it? Looking into the colonization of Puerto Rico, it created an enormous amount of economic problems. The export products were coffee and sugar and because of the change in sovereignty, they lost their European and Caribbean markets, and the island was subjected to punitive U.S tariffs. In 1901, the U.S Congress enacted the 'Foraker Act', this created a civilian administration to rule Puerto Rico.
So what was the result of this?
Denied Puerto Ricans of any meaningful role in governing their country
Denied Puerto Ricans of American citizenship
Denied representation in Washington
Denied independence of enacting laws, all laws enacted by the Puerto Rican House of delegates required the endorsement of the executive council which 90% are U.S officials
The Foraker Act was a regressive legal measure that antagonized a lot of Puerto Ricans. The goal for America was to transform the island to a stable outpost from which the U.S Navy could guard the shipping lanes to Mexico and Latin America and protect itself. In addition to this, the Americanization program was brought about and mandated English and knowledge of U.S history - this was something that wasn't implemented lightly.
In 1916, Luiz Munoz Rivera declared and said:
❝ For sixteen years we have endured this system of government, protesting and struggling against it, with energy and without result ❞
The Jones Act of 1917 was created and this allowed for Puerto Ricans to have U.S citizenship - but still not representation in congress and being able to vote. So the question arises here, are they American or are they Puerto Rican? It was half and half .
Present day: The relationship between Puerto Rico and the US is seen as a push and pull situation where there is need yet there is distrust. Puerto Ricans are left being as individuals who are 'half citizens' of the United States; having access and being able to live in America, yet don't have the rights to vote and stateside benefits.
The Economy:
Let's look at how the economy of Puerto Rico is affecting the growth and gain of the country. In 2016, the country declared that it was unable to pay its debts of $123 billion and as of 2017, Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy with Hurricane Irma and Maria devastating the island.
Fiscal facts -----
Average household income is 1/3rd of the U.S average
Poverty rate is 43 - that is more than twice that of the poorest state, Mississippi
Unemployment rate is twice the national average for the past decade
These factors play a role in the migration of Puerto Ricans to the mainland. There is about 3.2 million in Puerto Rico and about 5.9 million in the mainland. So now what comes in the question, why is there more individuals in the U.S than in their native state? These fiscal facts. Taxes are high, there isn't enough jobs opportunities, there is little growth, making the states a better place for more 'opportunites'. Puerto Ricos government has poor fiscal transparency, low levels of public employee funding, and excess government staffing and this ultimately really is affecting the Puerto Rican population. Puerto Rico has been left in a state of incompleteness. With burdens to bare of Hurricane Irma and Maria, the country has is struggling and is receiving minimal help from the U.S government.
Present day: There is a need of help from the U.S government although there is now pushback as its been colonized for over 125 years and yet Puerto Ricans are facing greater lengths of poverty, high rates of housing, high rates of migration and freedom that comes with half of the benefits. What we are seeing now instead is, gentrification of neighborhoods, a lot of areas are being brought by mainland investors and turned into airbnbs or rental homes that are depriving Puerto Ricans from affording accommodation and homes for themselves. A growing number of wealthy outsiders have moved to Puerto Rico to take advantage of the significantly lower tax rates, thus an increase in gentrification and leaving poverty rates high.
On the other hand, there is a need for these mainland investors as this is what is going to drive the economy up, old buildings in Old San Juan are being turned into hotels so that there can be income driven. Repurposing old buildings are beneficial and one of the key things that are helping Puerto Ricans. From my own experience of being there, the Academic Centre that I spent a bit of time listening to speakers from Puerto Rico is being turned into a hotel, being there I saw that there was emotional attachments to the places as I heard professors speak about their times there, however I also saw how it important it was for that place to be repurposed so that it could remain - so that is when I saw that 'push and pull' from Puerto Ricans.
The Culture:
Alright, let's jump into a topic that is a little more light and bright. The latin culture in general has always been bright and warm with their various types of music, dances, art forms and much more!
After Hurricane Maria struck the island, Puerto Ricans had to rebuild what they had and in a sense it was an opportunity to rebuild their identities and preserve it. In a sense, if you think about it, all these years have gone by with the implementation of the 'American way of life', yet without the benefits right?
So now that question arises -
How is the Puerto Rican identity preserved amongst all this change?
CULTURE!
The one thing that Puerto Rico has to offer is their food, culture and language that is unique to them and something that no one can ever take away.
Food
Let's start with food (mmmm) - Puerto Ricans are big on plantains! Their most loved dish is called Mofongo. Plantains are picked green, cut into pieces and mashed with spices to create a tight ball-like structure of the plantains that will absorb all the condiments. Served with nearly anything but my favorite - a fresh snapper! yum!
The vibrancy of the culture definitely comes alive in its dishes, it's really a celebration of flavors that tourists and locals have the opportunity to indulge in and continue to carry on creating.
Music
Now, this isn't going to be all about Bad Bunny if thats what you're thinking - its more than that. Given that he is a big part of the Puerto Rican culture at present day, the music history actually dates back to 400 years ago from the colonial plantations where West African enslaved people and their descendants worked - the music form is called bomba.
Reggaeton is a genre that went through hardship to be accepted into the Puerto Rican culture because of the vulgure nature of the music. It is claimed that Puerto Rican reggaeton began in the neighborhood of 'La Perla', it was in a venue called 'The Noise' that suffered a lot of governmental crackdowns and abuse. In other words, 'Islamized hip-hop' was not accepted.
This created the Puerto Rican underground reggaeton movement of the mid-1990s:
❝ The Puerto Rican underground Reggaeton movement of the mid-1990s supported a youth- and class inflected cultural politics of blackness and did so, significantly, by embracing (if not amplifying) the Nuyorican dimension of Puerto Rican popular culture ❞
The expression of this music allowed for an identity form that bridged being 'American' and 'Puerto Rican' and reggaeton quickly became popular in the 2000s, through up and coming artists such as J Balvin, Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny just to name a few.
When you are walking down the streets of local neighborhoods or beaches you will hear reggaeton almost at all times, a big part of Puerto Rican culture is expressing themselves through their music and thats something to love about them!
Language
Puerto Rican Spanish is going to be the biggest factor that is going to tie into the topic of identity here. The attitude towards language is transmitted from generation to generation through both academic and societal circles. Though both American English and Puerto Rican Spanish is taught in schools, there is resistance to learn English as its seen as the colonizers language and Spanish as the traditional first language. In the book 'Unliking of Language and Puerto Rican Identity', it was found that firstly, language serves as an identity marker. Similar to traditional dress or food, language is used to identify people. Secondly, language carries 'extensive cultural content'. This gives an idea about how Puerto Ricans are trying to preserve their culture, but this becomes harder as newer generations move abroad and there is less preservation and more Americanization.
Puerto Rican? American? or Puerto Rican - American?
Let the information sink in. It's a lot.
There really is a long extensive background of Puerto Rico not having its independence and not being a strong country able to develop on its own. First it was Spain then the U.S, amongst false promises and colonization, Puerto Rico is still a vibrant country that has one of the most wonderful cultures, food, people and auras, I myself have ever experienced. Unfortunately, there is this identity crisis of where they fit in and ultimately putting them in a state of almost uncertainty. However, although there has been many shortcomings of the U.S in managing Puerto Rico, there are some changes that are beginning now.
The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting Puerto Rico's recovery and renewal. In 2021, President Biden set billions of dollars in disaster funding and enacted historic expansions of economic and healthcare assistance programs for Puerto Rico.
The U.S government is funding to create a museum that is going to incorporate the Puerto Rican culture and heritage.
FEMA has allocated nearly $30,400 million in Public Assistance funds to over 10,600 projects that will contribute to the reconstruction of a more resilient Puerto Rico
A bill was placed in 2021 to make Puerto Rico a state. Currently in review.
Personal Approach:
From my experience overall, I felt drawn to the culture, food, vibrant buildings and people. Everything I just wrote about it is what I felt through, researched and enjoyed learning about. The most enriching part of this experience was the love every person had for their country and the constant positivity of moving forward to find ways to be better regardless of the status of what's going on in Puerto Rico.
This research about the factors that influence the Puerto Rican culture, identity and preservation was something that was relatable to me on a more personal level rather than professional. Being of Nepali descent but being born and raised in New Zealand, I always struggled with the concept of my identity. I grew up in a traditional Nepali household, so the values, language and culture was something my parents made sure I understood and know where my roots were from. However, on the other hand, my environment was westernized - in a senses it was and is 'half and half'. The assimilation into two different cultures is something that occurs when you want it to happen and you put that effort. In this day and age, we have media, different people around us constantly so personally I think that identity is always changing and evolving.
Identity isn't a defining point of how cultured you are and who you are, instead it's how much effort you put into immerse yourself in your cultures and practices. I identify as both - a Kiwi-Nepali, because that is what I feel drawn to and continue to keep up with both cultures in different ways.
So looking at the identity of Puerto Ricans - with the extensive history of colonization and state of incompleteness, there are people who identify as solely Puerto Ricans, there's people who identify as Puerto Rican Americans, and that is okay. The history and culture doesn't die as soon as you leave your native country, finding new ways to keep it alive such as new music genres or spanglish is what is going to keep that culture alive in my opinion! It's all about evolving and balancing half & half in your life.
Written by: Saylesa Nepal