The migration and culture of Puerto Ricans: art as a method for resistance*

Abstract

The initiative to investigate the themes of migration, art and culture in this research arose from our experiences after Hurricane Maria. We begin with the view that culture, in the form of art etc., is threaded through the entire post-hurricane experience, from response and resilience to recovery and resistance. We wish to consider how our research contributes to an understanding of how the migration of Puerto Ricans after the catastrophe might accelerate the process of cultural change. We do this by exploring how art and culture are used as a mechanism of resistance. Our desire to conduct research on this topic developed as a result of our firsthand experiences and reflections. First, the theme of migration, linked to cultural change, arose from our experience of seeing our close relatives such as our siblings, uncles, cousins, leave our island and see how they had to adapt to a new culture and redefine their cultural practices. Second, the theme of art, in all its facets (music, painting, drawing…), arose from our motivation after Hurricane Maria, from our way of coping with the situation and letting our feelings come out through art, thus demonstrating a resistance to not falling into a decline in both physical and mental health and a persistence for wanting to overcome the disaster despite the situation. Puerto Rican culture is one of the most important components of our society, as it defines our identity as Puerto Ricans for many reasons such as our music, food and dancing. This allows us to share as a community. Also, we recognise that in Puerto Rico, awareness and acknowledgement of culture has faded to some extent; only on “Puerto Rican Day” is when our culture and traditions are noticed. This is confirmed by the responses of the respondents in our research study. This is why we decided to investigate how important culture is for Puerto Rican migrants and family and friends who remained and what it means to them.

Keywords:

• Culture
• migration
• art
• resistance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 “His triumphs generated an incredible euphoria on the island. The fever was known as the Team Rubio influence and caused thousands of Puerto Ricans to paint their hair blonde following the fashion imposed on the team by catcher Yadier Molina as an action to create unity among all the players of the ninth.” (Primera Hora Newspaper (El Nuevo Día, 2016))

2 “Manifestation of human activity by means of which the real is interpreted or the imagined is expressed with plastic, linguistic or sonorous resources”. (Real Academia Española, 2020 (Art, 2016)).

3 “Attitude of the person who opposes doing something, refusing to do it or simply not collaborating”. (Gran diccionario de la Lengua Española, 2016 (Resilence, 2016)).

4 A grid which raw excerpted data is places into to create relevant analytical categories.

5 Casa Pueblo is a community based organization located in Adjuntas, Puerto RIco. Their primary mission is to protect the bio-diversity of the local rain forest. In addition, Casa Pueblo advocates for expanding self sustaining solor energy in Adjuntas and throughout Puerto RIco. Their main vehicle for organizing and bringing about change is connecting all of their work with Puerto Rican culture.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Minely E. Cáceres Rivera

Minely Cáceres Rivera is 22 years old. She born and raised in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. Her bachelor's degree is in Art with a mayor in Social Science from the University of Puerto Rico At Cayey. Currently she is a graduate student the in master in Government and Public Policy in the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. Minely has the intention to continue her PhD in a University out of Puerto Rico in Public Policy.

María del Mar Rivera Colón

María del Mar Rivera Colón, 24 years old, resident of Barranquitas, P R. Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Psychology and Community Mental Health. She is currently a student in the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Ponce Health Sciences University.

Gabriel Pérez Otero

Gabriel Pérez Otero is 24 years old and was born and raised in Cayey, Puerto Rico. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he works as a Registered Behavior Technician. Gabriel completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in General Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey campus; and has intentions of pursuing a PhD in Human Development.