I’m always conflicted about whether to consider Puerto Rico my favorite “Non-Incorporated U.S. Territory” or my favorite “Commonwealth.” Puerto Rico was declared a Non Incorporated Territory in 1900 at the conclusion of the Spanish American War (we won!) to distinguish it from the incorporated territories of New Mexico and Arizona, which were not yet states at the time, although they were also land the U.S. annexed following a conflict—the Mexican American War (we won!). In 1952, Puerto Rico was also declared a U.S. Common Wealth, mainly because the U.S. Congress objected to the translation of what Puerto Rico declared itself as, Estado Libre Asociado, which means "Associated Free State.” Maybe Spanish has an easier time with the oxymoron-ish contradiction (associated/free) than English, but what actually is quite amusing is that the Commonwealth was declared the official translation of Estado Libre Asociado, proving that legislation, while powerless against the law of gravity, has utter control over the rules of language.
Marin Boulevard in Downtown is named after Luis Muñoz Marín, who in 1948 became the first popularly elected Governor of Puerto Rico and is credited with setting up the unique status of Puerto Rico in the American story. Several plebiscites (finally, an opportunity to use that word) have been held in Puerto Rico to determine the status—become a state, become an independent country to stay a commonwealth—and always, the results are to remain with Marin’s vision. In other words, Puerto Ricans don’t want to get married or break up—they want to stay being Friends with Benefits. And I say, Bueno!
This year was Jersey City’s 49th Puerto Rican Parade and it is always a good time filled with revelry. About a third of our population is of Puerto Rican descent and quite frankly, they’re great neighbors. My experience has been that Puerto Rican folks are generally good natured, love to shoot the breeze and have a genuine sense of humor. The often controversial N.Y Puerto Rican Day parade, only three years older than ours, is right after Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of Summer and the J.C. Parade takes place right before the unofficial end of Summer, Labor Day. Celebrations of P.R. ancestry and culture book end our summers.
Some years, parade attendance has been lax but this year, the thick crowds lined much of the Montgomery Street sidewalks. Puerto Rican flags every where. Puerto Ricans really enjoy being Puerto Rican. There is both pride and pleasure. Another thing came to mind, they love their flag, not as some sacred object but as a kind of totem, and they display it every why possible, t-shirts, hats, capes, towels, face paintings, head bands, underwear. They reminded how devoted Dead Heads put the various Skull logos and Dancing Bears on everything.
Particularly this year, the pride was well earned, with the appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to Supreme Court Justice. The political power of Puerto Ricans was obvious to everyone there—Governor John Corzine was marching in the parade, receiving high-fives and applause and there was a float for Chris Christie, the Republican candidate, indicating that Puerto Ricans and Hispanics have their right-leaning sides. There were signs linking Christie to Bush, which I might welcome but let’s get real, events are moving too quickly and the N.J. Dems might want to come up with a new line attack, or those signs might as well link him to Herbert Hoover. This is not 2005 and the country’s in the crapper. In spite of our indicted politicians, which it should be noted includes some Puerto Rican office holders, J.C. remains the bluest of blue but I didn’t notice any boos for the Christie Float—which he was on—although the float was smartly right near the National Guard contingent, which seemed to deflect any negativity. I don’t think there would have been boos; Puerto Ricans are savvy enough to accept tribute from politicians they may not vote for. Embattled but as of yet un-indicted Mayor Jeremiah Healy stayed on the reviewing platform throughout the parade, another sign of how much muscle Puerto Ricans have in this city. Hispanics have political clout, especially in an era of close elections and Puerto Ricans are the leaders of Hispanic clout in these parts. They know it too and are more than happy to accept political acknowledgement of that fact. Right on Amigos!
It’s amazing how much of our city owes to Puerto Ricans. Municipal offices, firemen, police, teachers, healthcare workers, they all had floats and/or marchers. Every sector of government that makes our city run was represented. And there were dancers, athletic associations, folks in wheel chairs, a whole contingent of bicycle riders. There were several Miss Puerto Ricos to be seen, dignitaries from the native island. I thought about how Puerto Ricans represent the best aspiration of our city—egalitarianism.
My favorite float had this hip hop music blaring and two cops bustin moves. Well, they might not have been the best moves, but hey a great effort and I’d rather have them bustin moves than me (I apologize for that pun). There were a couple of Police Floats emblazoned with memorials to Detective Marc DiNardo and one float I saw his widow, Mary, waving to the crowd, who didn’t have to be told who she was. Cheers erupted. The solidarity of the community, all of the community of our city is something we should all pause to take pride in.
Puerto Rican flags on bodies, on cars, on bicycles, on baby strollers. It rained much of the morning, but the sky broke for the Parade, and has the Parade run down, sun showers came and everyone seemed to be okay with the rain. The rain cooled the temperature down, it was nice to walk home and let the brief rain fall. School starts in a couple of weeks, the days are already getting shorter, Football is ready to start and it’s pretty obvious what teams are and are not going to be playing baseball come October. Before the season comes to end, our annual Puerto Rican party brings the community together, reminding us that we share the best within ourselves.
Muy Bueno
ReplyDelete