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OUCH DEPT.
The Boricua Black
Eye
We all, at times, throw the baby out with the bathwater. All Boricua
community shortcomings are due to the lack of Boricua unity, caused by the
desire to establish one's own socio-political agenda at any cost... even
betraying those who faithfully serve.
In Los Angeles, CA, one group ousted a 70
plus year old couple who drove their president everywhere because he didn't
drive... in a van that I donated to the organization. The questionable leadership
owed the city close to $50,000 so the city did not allow the annual Puerto Rican
Parade... So like Seinfeld's soup Nazi.... "NO PARADE FOR YOU!"
These "bad apples" speak for everybody else because "everybody else" remain
silent. That's why the rest of us have to carry the stigma. Maybe you don't want
your faults exposed in order not to carry your part of the shame that comes
when... let's say... a horde of drunken Boricuas beat up two cops in a
post-parade celebration.
 FACT: The traditional "no me jo'a" lust for throwing the first punch prevents
Boricuas from turning the other cheek or just avoid a fight... giving a Black Eye to the rest of the
Puerto Ricans throughout the world. Remember that old saying: "He who fights
and walks away... lives to fight another day."
Waiting... like the flower waited for the rain that
didn't come!
FACT: Contrary to popular belief "turning the other cheek" is not standing like
a dummy taking punches. The depth of the lesson is in the context of how we are to behave with those who
attack us. Can you afford to let them slide
once? They might just see
their errors soon enough and save you a heap of trouble. Revenge isn't sweet.
It's costly.
FACT: Summers are Puerto Rican season in the USA. That's when we have our
festivals and celebrations... that's when we hope to shine our colors to the
ever-watching world. But sometimes, something backfires on us and we find
ourselves lamenting... "Sheesh, well, there's one in every crowd."
FACT: Another spontaneous celebration for Puerto Rican Day in Milwaukee sometime
around 2003 got out of control as did the post-parade one in NY the same summer.
That was a BIG Black Eye to the rest of us. Many times the world doesn't notice,
but I notice. In Milwaukee, Puerto Rican leaders told us that they held news
conferences to address the post-parade melee that erupted between police and
youths during an impromptu celebration.
"We're still trying to figure out what happened, but we want to show our
disappointment with the disrespect of the Puerto Rican flag," said Victor Huyke,
editor of El Conquistador community newspaper, after announcing the news
conference.
So, as a Black Eye Punch to the face of the Puerto Rican community throughout
the world, two police officers were injured and 17 people were arrested when
confrontations broke out between police and some of the several hundred youths
cruising Mitchell St. waving Puerto Rican flags in what they called "controlled cruising", but in the afternoon police
received calls that congestion on the street was growing with gridlock from S.
10th St. to S. 16th St.
Police set up a command post at S. 13th and W. Lapham streets and approximately
12 squads blocked off side streets in an effort to control the gathering cars
and crowds. By 6:14 p.m., an officer directing traffic at 12th and Mitchell
streets was grazed by a passing car, causing him to fall back and break his
thumb.
Later that evening, an officer walking in front of 1270 W. Mitchell St. was spit
upon by a Hispanic male riding by on a bicycle. When the officer tried to arrest
the man, a crowd surrounded the officer, punching and kicking him in the arms
and head. The officer curled into a ball on the ground for protection, and the
man was arrested by another officer. The injured officer was treated for
multiple abrasions and contusions to the face, neck and body.
It's curious to notice that most of those who congregated on Mitchell St. were
between the ages of 14 and 21. Fifteen of those arrested were cited for
disorderly conduct, one person for a state disorderly conduct charge, and
another was arrested on a state warrant for bail jumping.
STILL... later, a newly formed Puerto Rican Cultural Committee held a meeting to
plan a Puerto Rican parade later that summer in conjunction with the Boricuafest held
on that day by a Latino Community Center.
Big Puerto Rican communities such as the ones in Chicago and New York hold
Puerto Rican Day parades and festivals in June to celebrate the Puerto
Rican culture. Still it is you and I in boonyland, who work hard to seriously promote culture
and well being, who end up with the black eye when some of the leadership in
these not-so-fortunate communities pass the hot potato as "a lot of unchanneled
energy" when the participants take it upon themselves to have their "own" parade.
All dressed up and nowhere to go! Aaaargh!
The incidents are unfortunate, to say the least, but the local community leaders
must work harder to raise the awareness and commitment to obedience of municipal
laws and ordinances as well as that of Puerto Rican culture. It will be then,
AND ONLY THEN, that we will be able to give the community, a good, quality
parade or festival. Only then, our Puerto Rican pride will be exonerated...
But if you are willing to listen, I say, we still love those who give us the
black eye. Consequently, do good to those who apparently hate you. Pray for the happiness
of those who curse you. Forgive those who hurt you. Don't get tired of doing...
NOT what you "feel" is right, but THAT which YOU KNOW is right.
Peace and Prosperity,
Don Jíbaro "Who Dat Man" Barbanegra
"The wicked run when no one is chasing them,
but the honest are as brave as lions." —Prov. 28:1
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PR's History in Photos
The pages of this pictorial opus expresses the legacy, struggle, beauty, misery, joy
of Puerto Rico of days past. Delano saves the spirit of Puerto Rico's past,
once thought to be lost with faded memories. This is a book to keep for oneself, it
strenghtens one's soul.
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