User:Donjibaro

Puerto Rican's The Quest For Being
The state or fact of remaining the same as under varying aspects or conditions is known as identity. In personal identity the concern has been to determine whether anything in the behavior of an individual remains constant. Sadly, there’s no general agreement on this point. Erik Eriksson, the psychologist, has used the term to designate a sense of self that develops in the course of a man’s life that relates him to and sets him apart from his social surroundings. Eriksson introduced the terms “identity crisis” and “identity confusion,” that, while getting a wide usage, may end up used differently from the intended technical sense.

Identity is an incredible phenomenon. Superman went to numerous ordeals in order to protect his identity, that is, who he really was behind Clark Kent’s glasses and fedora. So did the Lone Ranger, Spider Man and many other heroes that we know of. Identities can be stolen or eradicated. We’ve seen movies, read books, news and documentaries on that subject. Therefore, we can conclude that identity is, thus, a very important asset.

One’s personal identity can be manifested in many ways and in many parts of the world. All you need is behavior. Behavior will declare identity. You are who you are no matter where you stand. Your behavior will tell your peers where you are coming from.

The word Boricua is a derivation of the word “Borikén” or “Borínquen”, the Taino Indian name for Puerto Rico. We are Boricuas by tradition but we are also Boricuas when we behave like Boricuas; within the array of traits based on culture, upbringing, idiosyncrasies, social strata, et al. We might at times want to be or act as something else… say an Eskimo, and do a pretty good job at it, but in essence we are Boricuas.

There are many aspects of the human character that makes us who we are. The right to be Boricua, as defined by our society, cannot be imputed by others nor monopolized by those how feel they have studied more or display more of the character traits that would describe them as Puerto Rican. It’s a state of mind in where there's an urge to manifest one’s origins. That urge is prompted by many sociological and psychological factors... the most common is being absent from the Island surrounded by different types of peers from all parts of the globe.

When defining personal identity, things can be distinguished by the essence of their content. You don’t need body language. It’s easy enough to see any degree of contempt motivated by of lack satisfaction that someone might think is due to him. So, the gap addressed in the Newyorican vs. Islarican contention is real. I have seen it. I have experienced it. Friends tell me about it and how much it worries them.

When it comes to defining ethnicity, some people “shoot” blindly at whatever moves with a flag. And because their inability to see the glass “half full”, they demand a satisfying answer from those who do not meet a certain criterion. Such dissatisfaction comes from a preconceived view on what is and what’s not Puerto Rican. Being bias equates to being partial which leads to ignorance which comes from, obviously enough, not having enough information to formulate a wholesome affirmation.

When you examine the USA-rican culture and the ISLA-rican culture, both cultures are based on the same roots that grow different due to the environments in which they develop. Both accrue on enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training that is given by our peers, hopefully before you leave the home... parents being the main influence.

If your parents don’t teach you to be Puerto Rican (in cultural behavior, that is... not in ethnical identification) you’ll grow to being or thinking that you are anything, whatever... even an eskimo or a viking... while deep under the dermis you are simply Boricua, “mancha'o con plátano y to’.” (stained with bananas)

Moreover, because the racism and inequality that ethnic groups suffer in the U.S.A., Boricuas there have suffered their part of the unfairness and turn apprehensive when revealing personal aspects of their culture. The crisis is there… the cultural gap is for real. That prompt us to seek out our “panas” and form communities in where everybody says: WEPA! …and QIUBO (“What’s up”? Incidentally, that phenomenon has proven futile in cities like Los Angeles (where I live) where there’s virtually no Puerto Rican community. Because of that, a Boricua here will stop any other car that has a PR flag hanging from the mirror just to ask: “Oyee!, ¿De qué pueblo tu erej?” (What town are you from?)

A Puerto Rican’s acquaintance with the arts, humanities, and some aspects of social arts and politics (as distinguished from vocational and other technical skills) is a responsibility that is his own in order to nurture a healthy self esteem. Ignorance is never an excuse. Knowledge of ALL those things is culture. Subsequently, NOT knowing enough Spanish or Jíbaro lingo to be a TRUE RICAN would not be acceptable. The same rule would apply to a “Borinqueño” from Utuado or Corozal going to New York without knowing some English to, at least, stay out of trouble.

Ah… but that changes when you live in Puerto Rico. In the ISLAND the culture is around you and binds your existence daily. You can't miss it. The PR ISLANDERS don't have an identity crisis... The Jíbaros of Comerio don’t need to know that they are jíbaros, they know that already. Still, you still see there Puerto Ricans wrapped up in flags and “pavas”... because our perspective is global... represent because THE WHOLE WORLD is watching us! So, we are also responsible, almost mandated, to spread, not impute, the patterns of our culture, knowledge and customs to those who lack them. That rests upon our capacity for learning and teaching. We are the ones who transmit knowledge to succeeding generations. BOTTOM LINE: It’s up to us. That’s why I go to a great expense to have JIBAROS.COM online.

So, flashing tattoos on your chest or flags on our cars is just a way to say: “I talk the talk.” But, one also needs to “walk the walk.” Our culture is very deep... with more than just customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of our social groups. We also have sets of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterize what being cultural is all about. We share those through education and tolerance, knowing that there are Boricuas out there that are going though some kind of identity crisis because they were born in Alaska or New Zealand and have no idea what a “PIONONO” or a “GUANIME” is.

Let me end by saying that we confirm our identity by the means of promoting culture rather than just showing culture. I hope that as co-patriots we can keep our culture thriving and our ethnicity untainted.

Pa’ encima, pues...!!!