The PR Day Parade is coming!
Okay, it's not like I'm not proud of my culture for being from Puerto Rican parents and all. But as a NY- born 'Rican, I've learned that a lot of Puerto Ricans from the Island don't consider folks outside of the Island, true Puerto Ricans. I know that's one of those perceptions that doesn't stick with everyone on the Island and even some people who feel this way hypocritically bounce around on their perception of who's a true P'Rican and who's not. After all, there are plenty of foreign-born people on the island today that are obviously Puerto Rican.
But when it comes to mixed messages, certain things bug me. For years, this "Puerto Rican Pride" thing every year nags me when I see certain banners and messages, etc.
Again, there's nothing wrong with celebrating one's cultural heritage but I never hear people calling themselves "Puerto Rican - American" or better still "American - Rican".. when most of the people celebrating are born outside the Island.
I don't mind celebrating a cultural heritage but I think it makes more sense to be "proud" of something that's achieved rather than proud of something completely outside of ones control. And that goes for all cultures.
Another thing that nags at me is this idea that all Puerto Ricans are from Taino Indians. Taino's were one of many native Caribbean Indians that occupied the island before the white man showed up. But most Puerto Rican folk you see around can also be of Afro-Caribbean or European decent. And today, the mixing continues from other outside cultures and nationalities.
But what nags at me the most is that the word "pride" has had it's meaning altered. The word, Pride is seen as something good when in fact, it's really something BAD.
I feel a lot more comfortable saying "I'm grateful" for being Puerto Rican; or "Honored", or "Thankful"... Because the One who decided I'd be born to Puerto Rican parents is God and PRIDE is what brought down mankind as far as the Bible is concerned, The Word of God.
The Bible teaches that "From ONE blood, God created the different nations of peoples and tongues". (Acts 17:26)
It also teaches that we have to LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS.. (Luke 10:27) which is kinda hard to do when we're TOO "PRIDEFUL" in our own self glory of cultural nationalistic uniqueness.
In fact, I'd say humanity has a problem of putting self before others, and the nationalistic/cultural prejudices hasn't helped in humbling us in any way. Human history demonstrates this fact.
Although there's nothing wrong with understanding the distinctions and uniqueness of our own cultures and I'm more than sure that some people will stubbornly STILL think I'm putting down my Latino culture - but I'm not.
The other thing that bugs me because I happen to be an "American-P'Rican" is that people inconsistently pick a culture to identify themselves with when it's convenient for them.
In America, some people of various cultural backgrounds want to call themselves Americans when it's convenient for them but then when the critique of our country comes around, they draw back to their cultural/nationalistic roots.
Truth is, as Americans, we have to take the good with the bad. And no nation is perfect, and that's just another reason why there's NOTHING to be "proud" of.
"GREATFUL" is something else entirely. You can't be truly grateful without having a source at which you're grateful towards. But you can be PRIDEFUL within yourself, and again, pride is what brought down MANKIND.
PASTELES, ALQUAPURRIAS, SALSA Y SAZON GOYA!!!... QUE VIVA PUERTO RICO!!!
:p
