What it Means to Be Puerto Rican in the USA!

Growing up I realized that the culture in the United States of America was very different from what it was in Puerto Rico. American food is quite different from arroz and habichuelas, pasteles, cuchiflitos, pernil, asopao de pollo and arroz con gandules which I am used to. I never got used to the American food. I prefer the Puerto Rican cuisine. The values are different from my family and culture. What I found beautiful was not necessarily what the Americans found beautiful. As a young child and teenager when in the USA I felt lost as if I had no foundation to hold on to. I eventually learned the culture and found myself quite comfortable in it. At home we only spoke in Spanish but outside the home it was English.

While in the States most people did not know where Puerto Rico was located. I always was told you don't look Puerto Rican you are white! I patiently explained that I look white but I have taino, black and white blood in me. I remember thinking that the USA has a lot to learn as Puerto Rico is more than 500 years old and older than the States. Because of the discrimination that I felt in different states I developed a sixth sense on how to deal with it as a young person. Currently people don't discriminate when they find out I am Puerto Rican and I attribute it to the media as the more coverage there is on the good qualities and creativity of the Puerto Rican people the less discrimination there is. Also I make a joke out of it if I feel I am discriminated upon.

As I matured, I realized that I have an advantage over the average "American" as I have two cultures that influence my personality, speak two languages and feel comfortable in any environment. Being a Puerto Rican in the USA is a choice I have made therefore I try to take the best out of both cultures (Puerto Rican and American) in an effort to be the best possible person I can be. Actually I find it quite educational that I have been able to experience life in the USA as a small child, then as a teenager, and later as an adult. However, Puerto Rico is my home and no matter how long I live in the States my home will always be Puerto Rico.