It always baffled me when friends and colleagues of mine would see me outside of the fluid boundaries of Humboldt Park and comment, “Oh wow, you’re outside the two flags!” While such remarks are made in fairly good-humor, they are more telling about the deep-seated feelings about people who do community work. In other words, “those activists” are too narrow-minded or insular; they do not experience or understand the world outside a few blocks, which of course, is bad. All in all, a sentiment of “I could never do that kind of work, because I’ll end up like that” is felt. That kind of idea only damages the possibilities of maintaining and expanding work that seeks to improve the lives of community residents. And more importantly, those who get hurt the most in the process are the very residents themselves.

Just recently, I traveled outside the neighborhood to attend the Puerto Rican Studies Association Conference in Hartford, Connecticut. Although I listened to the work of the Puerto Rican intelligentsia, which for me proved that our communities can also produce great scholars and intellectuals, I also wanted to understand what connections could be drawn between academia and the people they study. This faraway New England city always peeked my interest due to its very large Puerto Rican community, which, in terms of proportion, is the second largest in the U.S. Plus, the mayor and much of the political establishment is led by Boricuas. Therefore a few friends and I ventured outside the walls of the swanky hotel where the conference was held to see what links could be made between Paseo Boricua and Park Street, the economic and cultural center for the Hartfordian Boricua.

As we walked down Park Street, there were visible signs of urban decay and poverty: the multiple young men, walking around with seemingly nothing to do and some “run-down” homes and buildings. Of course, this is what outsiders too often focus on, especially when visiting communities of color. What is most important and amazing, and perhaps sometimes even overlooked by community workers and academics, were the distinct signs of economic and cultural development. Block after block there were small business ventures that included everything from restaurants and cafes, to bookstores, record shops, and jewelers. As I entered these places of business, it was obvious that they were all owned by Puerto Rican and Latina/o longtime residents who also employed longtime local residents of color.

Social networks and civic engagement seemed to be rich, with residents conversing with each other as they walked down the street and in cafes, and some passing out information on electoral candidates. Furthermore, there were multiple buildings that have been reconstructed to look like structures in Viejo San Juan, with pastel-colored façades and iron-gate balconies. The neighborhood also included murals and community centers that depicted cultural and political themes of the island. Yes, social ills existed, but there was a community that was economically vibrant and culturally puertorriqueño – an important place in which to continue addressing the problems we face as a nation.

In Humboldt Park, we are also developing our community on our own terms, similar to that of Hartford, by holistically intersecting economics, politics, health, housing, and education within the framework of Puerto Rican identity. All this is done with the idea that in a racist and classist society, how can we own the places we live in, create a legitimate internal economy, and address the issues that affect us. Thus, to those that say that community workers are too “stuck” in Humboldt Park, I say that it takes a strong connection and sense of rootedness in your own community to truly appreciate and understand what others have built and to create a common agenda that will lift us all up as a people.

by Xavier “Xavi” Luis Burgos

On October 1, the 1st Annual “Dare to Dream” Gala was hosted at Galleria Marchetti banquet hall by the Chicago Dream Center, a non-profit organization of New Life Covenant Ministries.  Mayor Richard M. Daley, Governor Pat Quinn and City Treasurer Stephanie Neely co-chaired this successful fundraiser.  Over 300 supporters attended, including Senator Iris Martínez, Commissioner Joe Berrios and Commissioner Edwin Reyes.

In 2007, Reverend Wilfredo De Jesús, senior pastor of New Life Covenant, had a vision to provide comprehensive services to homeless women and aid them in overcoming drugs, prostitution, alcoholism and poverty.  Since then, he has expanded this successful program to include the AXIS teen girl’s shelter and the latest addition, the AXIS teen boy’s shelter. The boy’s shelter is located at 1638 N. California Avenue and will not only offer the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter to these young men but also job and life skills training.  What truly distinguishes this shelter is that it will provide the safety, support, faith, hope and love that is needed for these young men to grow into responsible and productive members of society.

The 1st Annual “Dare to Dream” Gala raised $47,000 to support the rehabilitation of the AXIS teen boy’s shelter, which is in need of a complete gut/rehab costing approximately $250,000.  On behalf of the Chicago Dream Center, thank you to all the sponsors, individual donors and volunteers. For more information or to contribute, please call the Chicago Dream Center at (773) 384-2200.

by Veronica Ocasio

The following is a statement by Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL):

When I make important decisions I try to think about Roberto Clemente.

Roberto Clemente had everything.  A great career.  A rifle arm.  A big contract.  Fans who adored him.

And yet, he risked it all to help others.  He made a decision that was entirely unselfish.  A decision about the greater good of his people.  He took on the dictator of Nicaragua, got on a small plane, overloaded with relief supplies, flew into a storm – and gave his life for others.

I’m not here to compare myself to Clemente.  Not at all. Few people will ever earn that comparison.  But I am here to say that as I think about making a decision like running for Mayor of Chicago, I try to learn from his example.

And the example he set was this: when you make a decision, do it based on what is best for your people.

I love the City of Chicago.  I would love to be Mayor of the City of Chicago, and I believe I could do great things for people.  For Latinos, for African-Americans, for immigrants, for gays and lesbians, for every person in Chicago who wants a better future for themselves and their families.
I believe I could make a difference.

And I believe our campaign is in very strong shape.  We have lots of funding, and commitments for more.  We have plenty of signatures on petitions.  We have enthusiasm and support and volunteers.  We have a poll that says we are in a very strong position and that the Latino community in particular would rally to my candidacy.

It’s an exciting and important opportunity.

And so I have weighed that excitement and that opportunity and that possibility alongside of my current opportunity.  And my current obligation.

I’m honored to serve in Congress.  My constituents have sent me back many times.  I take their trust seriously.  I’m humbled by it.

And across this nation, immigrants are counting on me too.  The people I’ve talked about today in detail.  The people I’ve met in Jersey City and Tampa, in El Paso and San Jose, in Cleveland and Phoenix.

Today, our immigrant community is under attack – but we’re fighting back.  And I am fortunate enough to be on the frontlines of the battle.  Fortunate to stand up for families that are being torn apart and moms and dads who are being deported.  To have a direct line to the President of the United States to say “you have to do more.”  To go to Phoenix to say “what you are doing here is unjust and must be stopped.”  To walk the streets of Pilsen and Little Village and give people hope.

To debate anti-immigrant lead
ers wherever we find them – from the ballot box to the television talk shows.

It’s a tough time for those of us who believe in fairness for immigrants.  But history is not written by those who give up.

And history is not written by those who change battles in the middle of the
fight.

Today I tell you that I have an obligation to all of my constituents and all of the immigrant families I have met and learned from across this country.  I have an obligation to not give up the fight for fairness, for justice and for finally passing comprehensive immigration reform.

I have an obligation not to give up on the fight I’ve already begun.

I have unfinished business to complete.

So I will not be a candidate for Mayor of the City of Chicago.

This is an extremely difficult decision, and I thank with all my heart the people who have been working so hard and supporting my candidacy.

But it is a decision I make knowing it is the right thing to do.   There is one and only one reason I am not running — I’m already engaged in the most important battle I can commit my energy and time and devotion to winning.  I am one-hundred percent committed to fighting for fairness and justice for immigrants, and to continue the battle for comprehensive immigration reform.

Standing up for immigrants, and finishing this battle, and winning this fight is far more important than whatever personal disappointment I might feel in not making the race for Mayor of the City of Chicago.

I love Chicago.  I’ve reached out to other candidates today to tell them I’m not running and to wish them well.  I will be engaged in this race and will still be a voice for fairness for all of the people of Chicago.  For jobs.  For better schools.  For safe streets.

But I will be that voice while I continue my obligations as Congressman and my crusade for comprehensive immigration reform.

I know today – that even though I believe we would have mounted a great campaign, an important campaign, a winning campaign – this is the right decision for the people I represent and for people who count on me.

So I thank you.  Today is not the end of a fight – it’s the continuation of a struggle for justice – and I invite all of you to join me in this very important crusade.   Because with all of you – together – we will win.

Thank you very much.

(Press Release 10/2010)

Puerto Rico, how ironic is our love for you? We never cease to profess our sincere pride. We display it everywhere and in any way possible; from tattoos, t-shirts, to temperaments, we declare our profound orgullo.

Yet our love and pride – as deep as it goes – has limits, lines we won’t cross, fears we won’t face. Far too often, there is much we refuse to say, acts we won’t do, and beliefs we refuse to hold. Everyday, we simultaneously affirm our identity as Puerto Ricans, yet we often collectively dare not fight for Puerto Rico.

This contradiction is not only present on the island, but also in our barrios and communities throughout the United States. Here too, we have immense pride and love for our patria, but it’s no less ironic, no less tragic.

The question remains, how we together – as a community and people – move from one-dimensional pride to a stronger commitment to each other and our shared liberation.

Our annual festivals and celebrations offer a site to reflect on the nature of Puerto Rican pride, its importance and shortcomings. Every year, we gather (wherever there is more than one Puerto Rican) to celebrate, commemorate, and congratulate each other on our rich culture and customs. From the smallest towns in New England to the sprawling suburbs around Orlando to parts of Texas to the metropolises of New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, we host annual parades and festivals.

Though some are bigger, better funded, or more established than others, each serves in its own way as expressions of our collective identity. Historically, we were forced to create these festivals and parades in order to combat the negative and racist characterizations of our community. As a result, we cannot underestimate them, although we can question how they sometimes limit Puerto Rican-ness to a few, sanitized expressions.

In some cases, these important events mark the only time we gather as a community. Drawn by music, food, and the rare chance to express ourselves freely and openly as Boricuas, we dust off our flags and thrust them out of our house and car windows, passionately, albeit predictably, forcing our local cities to recognize our existence.

Politicians come out, commercial businesses and media take notice and contrive ways to take advantage of our momentary unity. We gain some recognition, smiling with teeth shining, flag in hand, yet too often, during and beyond these moments of cultural bliss, we are silent on the matters of urgent concern to the Puerto Rican people.

This raises the question: Why does our profound pride not usually lead to action in the defense of those among us most suffering? What kind of pride does translate into love for our sisters and brothers?

Various facets of our history and current reality usually fall outside of these popular cultural events. In most cases, Puerto Rican identity is expressed in narrow terms, as if arroz con gandules, bistec encebollado y tostones, Salsa y reggeaton captured it all. Even further than our culture, what is the reality of Puerto Ricans and why is reflecting and acting on that complicated reality so often threatening to some in our community? One important exception to the tendency to exclude political and social issues from cultural events is the Puerto Rican People’s Parade held on Paseo Boricua, Chicago. This parade not only proclaims our identity but also raises important causes like gentrification and liberation via ¡Humboldt Park NO SE VENDE! and the campaign to free our Puerto Rican political prisoners.

Our realities as Puerto Ricans, of course, are incredibly diverse, and though there is an emerging professional and ‘middle-class’ sector, the majority of our people continue to face adversities to their very existence.

Our dropout rates (or push-out rates, to be more accurate) are among the highest, and have been for decades. Our unemployment rates, particularly in the inner city, are staggering, and that was before the economic downturn.  Our historic communities, like my city’s Humboldt Park and others, are being or have been dismantled and destroyed by a housing crisis long before the foreclosure epidemic.

Some of these realities – which are only a few and do not count necessarily as the most important – may in fact not resonate with your particular lived experience. But rest assured that the Boricua that passes you at the festival, that joins you in shouting out “¡Que Viva Puerto Rico!” may very well be confronting these challenges and others like violence (gang violence, domestic violence, and the violence of abusive law enforcement and imprisonment), as well as disastrous poverty. Perhaps they suffer from racial, gender, and sexual discrimination both within and outside our community.

Deep inequalities and divisions mark our people, both on the island and our glorious Diaspora. Especially in the current climate against Latin American peoples in the U.S., most recently reflected in Arizona Senate Bill 1070, we are facing difficult times.

We are a people – at least from my reading of history – that continue to experience the fracturing and oppressive reality of colonialism and its many manifestations. The current situation the majority of our people live reveals a profound denial of our human rights and a hesitation to aggressively demand them. Our responsibility continues to be to resist – in every conceivable way, from the smallest act of defiance to the acts remembered by our future historians. We cannot afford to shy away from politics, debate and collective action.

Pride is not enough. While we need to affirm our existence through cultural celebrations, and do so in recognition of our internal diversity, we must go beyond this form of pride. Our pride in our history, culture and identity should be sources of energy to work together in building new hopes, dreams and possibilities, but it should also move us beyond a one-dimensional pride to a deeper, richer love of our people, which is based on and grows through the struggle for our freedom and the freedom of all peoples.

by Michael Rodríguez-Muñiz

Over 300 people gathered on October 8 for the opening reception of Everyone Matters . . . Wellness as a Way of Life, an art exhibit showcasing the artwork, crafts and oral stories by over 100 local community residents sharing personal messages of resilience and positive life choices.

Curated by Jorge Felix, the exhibit reflects personal journeys towards healing where art becomes a tool for personal empowerment and healing. The Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC), provided a fitting backdrop for the event. A poetry performance, several speakers — including three youth who shared affirming stories of seeking counseling — and a short production from Erasing the Distance, a theatrical troupe working to increase understanding of mental health, rounded out the reception.

Everyone Matters is presented by the Behavioral Health Task Force of the Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness and is a collaboration between Association House of Chicago, Casa Central, La Casa Norte, Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, Erie Family Health Center, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and Norwegian American Hospital. Everyone Matters also counts with the collaboration of Vocalo 89.5FM and WBEZ Radio West Side Bureau.

The Community of Wellness is very grateful for the support from LISC Chicago/NCP and the Centennial Medical Management Corporation at Norwegian American Hospital who helped make this important exhibit possible.

by Juana Ballestero

After nine years of struggle to save one of Chicago’s largest and oldest murals, the Puerto Rican community of Humboldt Park is closer to wining the right to the contentious adjacent lot. On Wednesday, September 27th, Raul Echevarria, Deputy Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, received word that the Chicago City Council Committee on Real Estate approved a two-year lease of the lot. The lease will now go before the full City Council for a vote in October. “Once the lease is approved we can begin development of the lot into a garden with GreenCor, a group assigned by the City to develop the landscape elements to the lot”, said Echevarria.  If all goes as planed the garden could be completed by mid November, weather permitting. According to Echevarria, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center will hold title of the lease. “During the two year period of the lease, the City will begin a process of officially transferring title of the lot to the Puerto Rican Cultural Center”, Echevarria stated.

Back in 2001, after completing plans to restore the mural and develop the adjacent lot, a committee made up of various community organizations (including the Near Northwest Neighborhood Network, Architreasures, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center) and residents attempted to negotiate with the developer who owned the lot, to sell it to the committee. The developer had laid a foundation to build a condominium that would block sight of the mural.  By 2003, negotiations had failed and the deve
loper started construction of the condo. This sparked highly publicized protests by the community members that included the involvement of the then Alderman of the 26th Ward Billy Ocasio. Subsequently, the protesters stopped construction on three occasions. Finally, the City was able to gain control of the site in 2007. Yet restoration could not begin until the City was able to settle the question of stewardship of the property that would insure that the project would be completed and maintained.

“I remember being ten years old, driving with my father and we would always pass that mural. It was kind of creepy”, recalls John Vergar, “especially that guy (Muños Marin), who is stabbing Jesus (Albizu Campos), with what looked to me like a pool stick”.

Artist John Vergara (37), who is best known in the community for creating the Paseo Boricua/Humboldt Park (Coat Of Arms) mural on the corner of Campbell and Division, as well as, his now famous flag (with the Coat of Arms), was assigned to be the lead artist of the restoration. “I would have never thought that I would be involved in the restoration of this mural”, says Vergara.

John Pitman Weber, a veteran Chicago muralist and professor of art at Elmhurst College, was hired as a consultant for the project. He provided technical assistance to Vergara who had never restored a mural before. Along with various volunteers, the goal was to complete the restoration in one week. Restoration began on August 28th and by September 4th the mural was 85 % complete. “I didn’t think it was going to be possible to complete this in such a short time,” says Mario Galan. Artist Mario Galan had designed the mural in 1971 as a founding member of the Puerto Rican Arts Association. “I was surprised to see that he (Vergara) was dedicated. When someone is dedicated, you tend to put a little more into it and it turned out right,” says Mario.

Mario Galan was one of many volunteers who helped in the restoration of the mural. Although Mario is surprised that the mural has lasted this long, his memories are still vivid of when he first painted the mural. “I thought about the people that worked under me when I first did the mural, like Hector Rosario who was instrumental in getting me the information I needed.” Says Mario.

John Vergara was pleased to have the opportunity to work with one of the original ar
tists. “I had one of the original muralist, Mario Galan, assisting me which was the best part of the experience”, says Vergara. “Someone like me, from the “streets” to be given an opportunity to restore a historic mural. I feel truly honored.”

An entire generation of Humboldt Park residents has grown up seeing the mural as part of this neighborhood. Now with the restoration of the mural a new generation of residents can now enjoy it’s aesthetic with a new park and garden. Just in time for the 40th Anniversary of the mural next year.  “I see it as a victory for all of us”,
says Vergara.

by Eduardo Arocho

En el año 2003 visité por primera vez la comunidad puertorriqueña en el Paseo Boricua de la calle Division en Chicago. El motivo particular no lo recuerdo, creo que fue para la presentación de un trabajo poético musical con unos compañeros artistas de Puerto Rico.  La fecha exacta tampoco la recuerdo. Sin embargo, lo que recuerdo perfectamente es la impresión que me causó la organización y el trabajo social y cultural  que estaba llevando a cabo el Centro Cultural Juan Antonio Corretjer en la llamada ciudad de los vientos. De entrada me impactó el sentido patriótico con el que se trabajaba cada proyecto, incluyendo los trabajos de índole social y de salud. Quedé maravillado con el grupo de jóvenes que laboraban con tanto afán, hombro con hombro y con un gran orgullo para que los trabajos se llevaran a cabo. Todo eso y mucho más desde una sola plataforma, la de la identidad puertorriqueña. De regreso a la isla me traje en el espíritu ese sentido de trabajo comunitario y de lucha patriótica  de ese grupo de puertorriqueños y puertorriqueñas en Chicago, que para ser honesto, no he tenido la experiencia de verlo, en esa magnitud, en ninguna comunidad de la isla.

Ese impacto me trajo de vuelta, no se si ese mismo año o el próximo, el 2004, esta vez para participar de la Fiesta Boricua de Bandera a Bandera. Posteriormente he visitado en varias ocasiones esta comunidad con motivo de esa Fiesta Boricua. Inclusive, este pasado año escolar 2009 – 2010, vine para trabajar como maestro de Historia de Puerto Rico en la escuela superior Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. Aún con los contratiempos y las dificultades con el idioma y el choque frontal con un invierno que me congelaba la sangre, la experiencia fue muy buena. Estar todo un año trabajando dentro de esta organización que es el Centro Cultural Puertorriqueño Juan Antonio Corretjer amplió mi primera impresión y me llevó a una profunda reflexión sobre la educación, el trabajo comunitario, el desarrollo social y económico y la lucha por la independencia de nuestra patria. Se abrieron, con esa experiencia, nuevas perspectivas de lucha, nuevas visiones y estrategias y me reafirmé en mi visión de la educación pública de nuestros jóvenes como parte fundamental de los procesos de lucha y liberación de nuestro pueblo.
Dicho ésto, paso al objetivo principal de este artículo  que es hacer un comentario sobre la 17ma Fiesta Boricua, celebrada el pasado 5 de septiembre en la que mi pueblo de Comerío tuvo una participación muy especial que aumentó en grado superlativo mi orgullo de ser comerieño.

En algún momento durante el año escolar, el Sr. José López, artífice e ideólogo de esta comunidad y quien no necesita presentación, me mencionó que este año quería inaugurar una sección dentro de la Fiesta Boricua que se llamaría “Lo mejor de nuestros pueblos” y que invitaría a partir de ese momento y cada año a un pueblo de la isla para  participar de la Fiesta Boricua y traer, precisamente, lo mejor de ese pueblo.

No ha sido pura casualidad que Comerío haya sido elegido para inaugurar esa nueva sección dentro de la fiesta. No obstante, aunque la historia es interesantísima, la falta de tiempo y espacio me impide, amigo lector, contarla en este artículo. Lo que me parece más importante es el hecho que, por las reacciones que he recibido de personas que llevan viniendo a esta actividad año tras año, esta edición número 17 de la Fiesta Boricua ha sido muy especial. Más de una persona me ha expresado que ha sido la mejor de todas.

Dentro del marco de la fiesta se celebraron varios eventos. Entre ellos, la presentación del libro Desde Lares del Lcdo. Carlos Gallizá, figura prominente dentro de la discusión política de la isla de Puerto Rico y el reconocimiento a él como luchador por la independencia. También, se reconoció la presencia del Sr. Florencio Merced, quien ha sido parte importante dentro de esa lucha desde sus años de estudiante en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, como líder estudiantil y presidente de la Federación de Universitarios Pro Independencia (FUPI). También se dio clausura a la exposición del artista puertorriqueño Elizam Escobar, obra que estuvo expuesta en IPRAC por varios meses y de la exposición de fotografías que han aparecido en el semanario Claridad a través de su historia como periódico de la lucha por la independencia de Puerto Rico.

El sábado 4, víspera de la Fiesta Boricua, se celebró la Misa Jíbara, que incorpora a su ceremonia religiosa elementos de la cultura puertorriqueña a través de la música típica y la trova del país, dirigida por el Reverendo Padre Raúl Berríos quien llegó con la delegación comerieña. Fue un acto muy hermoso, espiritual y profundo que creó en el espacio del patio interior de IPRAC una comunión de hermanos y un lazo de unión y solidaridad entre los líderes y feligreses de varias parroquias católicas de la ciudad de Chicago junto con las demás personas que allí nos encontrábamos.

Inmediatamente después de la misa se celebró la Noche Puertorriqueña, una gala espectacular que reunió a más de cuatrocientas personas en una noche de cultura y orgullo patrio en el patio exterior del Instituto Puertorriqueño de Arte y Cultura (IPRAC, por su sigla en inglés). En ese espacio fueron reconocidos y homenajeados Carmen H. Lonstein, abogada y miembro de uno de los bufetes más prestigiosos de Chicago y comerieña, y el  alcalde de nuestro pueblo de Comerío, soberanista y puertorriqueñista sin que le tiemble la mano, el Honorable José A. Santiago. El alcalde, por su parte, leyó una hermosa proclama declarando al Sr. José López hijo adoptivo de Comerío. También leyó una proclama similar reconociendo a Josefina Rodríguez (Fifo), además de reconocer a otras personas de la comunidad. El grupo de artistas que vino de Comerío deleitó al público con excelentes interpretaciones.

Ya dejé expuesto anteriormente las impresiones sobre la fiesta del domingo, la Fiesta de Bandera a Bandera. Permítame, amigo lector, hacer un poco de alarde. Mi pueblo de Comerío, mi delegación comerieña, hizo una presentación artística de primera. El Ballet Folklórico de Comerío, El Grupo Ecos de Borinquen con Miguel Santiago Díaz, el Grupo Yes, Papo Cocote y la increíble Tuna Trovera, dieron cátedra sobre lo que es cultura, puertorriqueñidad, solidaridad y patriotismo.

Me consta el sacrificio extraordinario que con lleva la celebración de estas fiestas boricuas en el Paseo Boricua de Chicago. El costo económico es impresionante; conseguir todo ese dinero requiere un esfuerzo monumental. El esfuerzo físico para la organización y la consecución de la fiesta es incalculable. Para la delegación comerieña el esfuerzo y el sacrificio  ronda por el mismo camino, trascendió, como para el Centro Cultural Juan Antonio Corretjer, todos los esfuerzos posibles. Estoy absolutamente convencido que para ambos el esfuerzo, el sacrificio y el sudor ha valido la pena.

Espero que la comunidad puertorriqueña en Chicago sepa valorar ese esfuerzo, que sepan aquilatar en su justa medida el trabajo y el sacrificio de los organizadores de la Fiesta Boricua. Me consta que mi gente de Comerío regresaron extremadamente complacidos y contentos, agradecidos y orgullosos por haber participado en esta Fiesta Boricua de Bandera a Bandera, que es una sola bandera, la puertorriqueña. Se sienten inmensamente orgullosos de haber participado y de ser el primer pueblo de nuestra nación puertorriqueña que trajo a nuestros hermanos y hermanas, compatriotas en Chicago, lo mejor de su pueblo.

En lo que a mi se refiere, me inspira este Centro Cultural Juan Antonio Corretjer de Chicago, me inspira mi gente de Comerío, me motiva su orgullo y dedicación y su expresión patriótica de corazón amigo y solidario y ambos, el Centro y mi pueblo, me hacen sentir un orgullo sin límites para decir a pecho abierto: Yo soy boricua.

(a Raymond (RJ), Matt, Juan,Juanita, Carlos, Zoraida, Marisol, Elías, Rubén, Brenda,Gustavo,Jonathan, Judy y Vidia, particularmente, por el afecto, pero más por la solidaridad y el apoyo y a todos los maestros y compañeros de PACHS)

Por Carlos quiles

Para ver mas retratos Click: 17ma Fiesta Boricua 2010

RESERVE YOUR TICKET BY CALLING (773) 486-8345 OR (773) 227-7794

RESERVE YOUR TICKET BY CALLING (773) 486-8345 OR (773) 227-7794

Luis \”Perico\” Ortíz – El Día Que Me Quieras (Live)

“En Ruta Por…” (Canal 13-TV) de Puerto Rico resalta 17ma Fiesta
Boricua y comunidad en serie sobre Boricua’s en Chicago.

Comenzando el martes 21 de septiembre, y durante sus próximo 5 programas, “En Ruta Por…”- Canal 13-TV de Puerto Rico se enfocará toda su programación resaltando la 17ma Fiesta Boricua y la comunidad puertorriqueña de Chicago en general.

Esta es la primera vez que un programa de televisión en Puerto Rico sea dedicado a una comunidad puertorriqueña en los Estados Unidos. Dicha programación coincidio con el inicio del nuevo concepto que caracterizirá a las Fiesta Boricua – “Lo Mejor de Nuestro Pueblos”. Este año fue Comerío en Chicago.Al conocer de esa iniciativa, durante la celebracion del 30 festival de la música jíbara en Comerío, los productores de “En Ruta Por…” decidieron acompañar la comitiva comerieña que viajara a Chicago para grabar dicha programación.

La comunidad Boricua de Chicago se debería sentir sumamente orgullosa de este logro. Ya que en Puerto Rico se le está dando a conocer, a nuestros hermanas/os, lo mejor de Chicago.

Para ver Programa “En Ruta Por Chicago”:En Ruta Por…Chicago

Over 150 people joined the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (IPRAC) as it hosted the official unveiling of a new US stamp honoring renowned Puerto Rican poet, Julia de Burgos on Friday, September 24.

An award-winning writer, poet and journalist, Julia de Burgos takes her place among honorees in the Postal Service’s Literary Arts series along with several other distinguished Latina/o writers.

The Postal Service honors Julia de Burgos as a revolutionary writer, thinker, and activist who wrote more than 200 poems probing issues of love, feminism, as well as political and personal freedom. Julia de Burgos’ groundbreaking works urged women, minorities and the poor to defy social conventions and find their own true selves.

The event featured a film on the life of Julia de Burgos followed by wel
coming remarks by IPRAC’s Board of Director President Ray Vázquez. Dean of Students at Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School Judy Díaz and Program Director of Batey Urbano Jessie Fuentes recited two of Julia de Burgos’ most famous poems, “Ay, Ay de la Grifa Negra” and “A Julia de Burgos.” Chicago District Manager / Post Master USPS Gloria E. Tyson  spoke about the importance of Julia De Burgos, the Latino employees at the USPS, as well as the overall important of Latina/os in the United States.

The guest speaker of the event was Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez who highlighted the pain, suffering and promise of Julia de Burgos, as well as the lessons that Latinos could draw from her life. The Congressman was given a rousing ovation upon finishing his powerful and inspiring remarks.

The unveiled stamp will now become a part of IPRAC’s permanent
collection.

Jonathan Rivera

To see more photos click:IPRAC co-sponsors Humboldt Park Premeire of Julia de Burgos Stamp with USPS