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You are correct in your assessment however there are different perceptions of race among the NY Puerto Ricans and the island Ricans. Many NY Ricans have never understood why Puerto Ricans think they're white.To many they also act white, which really means they don't act ghetto but are basically middle class in their way of life.
These two perceptions will surely clash and will never understand each other. On the island if you look white, you're white! In the states if you're Puerto Rican, no matter how white you look, you're non-white or black!
Different societies look at themselves and define themselves as they see fit. Dominican blacks define themselves as Indio, ( Sammy Sosa). To most island Puerto Ricans this is ludicrous, but who are we to define how people want to see themselves? NY Ricans identify with Black but that doesn't mean the ones on the island should if they don't want to. That is why in the census most Ricans identify as White, adding to the confusion and anger among NY Ricans
That might also be why Indians consider themselves white although their skin might be as black as coal. Hair texture and features have a lot to do with this perception. In Puerto Rico it's similar. If hair texture is straight and features are basically non-black, you are White even if your skin color is dark and your genetic mixture is not 100% white.
Its about time Puerto Ricans define themselves as they want to and shake off how others want to define them!
Its about time Puerto Ricans define themselves as they want to and shake off how others want to define them!
amen
i dont like this whole 'the other color sucks therefore my color is cool' crap and i remember a time when Puerto Ricans didnt subscribe to it. People need to judge themselves on their own accomplishment not on the perceived failures of others.
You are correct in your assessment however there are different perceptions of race among the NY Puerto Ricans and the island Ricans. Many NY Ricans have never understood why Puerto Ricans think they're white.
In the states if you're Puerto Rican, no matter how white you look, you're non-white or black!
NY Ricans identify with Black but that doesn't mean the ones on the island should if they don't want to. That is why in the census most Ricans identify as White, adding to the confusion and anger among NY Ricans
In Puerto Rico it's similar. If hair texture is straight and features are basically non-black, you are White even if your skin color is dark and your genetic mixture is not 100% white.
Its about time Puerto Ricans define themselves as they want to and shake off how others want to define them!
This mindset is of someone stuck in the 60's & 70's. Society in general and specifically PR society/culture has evolved and moved on, not everyone follows and there are always stragglers who drag their issues along with them to the very end.
You are correct in your assessment however there are different perceptions of race among the NY Puerto Ricans and the island Ricans. Many NY Ricans have never understood why Puerto Ricans think they're white.To many they also act white, which really means they don't act ghetto but are basically middle class in their way of life.
These two perceptions will surely clash and will never understand each other. On the island if you look white, you're white! In the states if you're Puerto Rican, no matter how white you look, you're non-white or black!
Different societies look at themselves and define themselves as they see fit. Dominican blacks define themselves as Indio, ( Sammy Sosa). To most island Puerto Ricans this is ludicrous, but who are we to define how people want to see themselves? NY Ricans identify with Black but that doesn't mean the ones on the island should if they don't want to. That is why in the census most Ricans identify as White, adding to the confusion and anger among NY Ricans
That might also be why Indians consider themselves white although their skin might be as black as coal. Hair texture and features have a lot to do with this perception. In Puerto Rico it's similar. If hair texture is straight and features are basically non-black, you are White even if your skin color is dark and your genetic mixture is not 100% white.
Its about time Puerto Ricans define themselves as they want to and shake off how others want to define them!
Well I consider myself a White Puerto Rican. The educated Puerto Ricans know that there are White, Black or even Indian Puerto Ricans.
Interesting conversation. I'd say that in Puerto Rico, most people who identify as black are 80% of African ancestry or more. I'm black and am from Puerto Rico and I only guess I'm about 85% of African ancestry. I was going to post a picture of myself but I don't know how relevant that would be overall to the conversation.
I didn't think African ancestry would cause such a stir of a conversation, either. I'm surprised.
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