Nourishing the Pride in the Parade….
This weekend a young Puerto Rican child will stand on Fifth Avenue in New York City dressed from head to toe in Puerto Rican paraphernalia. Even their face will be painted with a Puerto Rican flag and their small hands will be feverishly waving the flag that on Sunday, possibly more than any other day of the year, as a symbol of pride and a commander of emotion.
As the child looks to the adults around them screaming and shouting, a profound emotion will fill their very essence. This unprecedented occurrence will be coupled with images of scantily clad, rambunctious men and women. Somehow, at some point, the flag of Puerto Rico became a bandana, a bikini top, and several other unfathomable items. The child will continue to bask in the warmth created by the emotions that will fill every inch of their body. Their adrenaline will be soaring as it is fueled by the screams and shouts of the crowd.
“Boricua!!” the child will shout, “Wepa!!”
The beauty of this child growing with pride in who he/she is, will be truly inspiring… but there will be questions.
When the fever of this day is over, how will the pride be nourished? Will it be with the truth and history of our culture and traditions? Will it be with explanations of our Indigenous, African, and Spanish roots? Will it be with the installation of values and morals that have their foundation in the preservation of family and respect? Will the remaining 364 days be filled with as much pride as today?
When the fever of the day is over, will it be nourished in such a way that the child grows to be a strong Boricua who contributes in a positive way to society? Or will the child grow with only the aspirations of being a thug who feels that as long as he/she waves his/her flag on Fifth Avenue once a year and screams out “Boricua”, showing his/her communal brothers/sisters that he/she respects them by invading their personal space, he/she will not only be displaying ,but also living up to Puerto Rican Pride?
When the fever of the day is over, will it take with it the memory of the more than 4,645 Boricua brothers and sisters lost over the last 8 months, and the countless number lost during our history?
©Dr William Q Ross “Mission” 2018