Boricua, in the middle of death… 

Boricua, in the middle of death… 

This weekend, Puerto Ricans in Chicago had the opportunity to celebrate their pride in being Boricua by attending the 43rd Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade on Division Street. The parade route was flanked by the iconic steel flags that mark Division Street, between Western and California avenues, as Paseo Boricua. Hundreds (possibly thousands) filled the street adorning the flag of their homeland; A flag that inspires screams of: “Que Viva Puerto Rico!!” and smiles at the unity that the day is inspiring. Children are carried on shoulders while Reggaeton and Salsa music fuse together to create a soundtrack meant to cement the memories in the attendees’ minds with such force that generations not even born yet will feel it shortly after they take their first breath. But, unfortunately, the sweat that dripped from the faces of the parade-goers during the day would transform into tears that night. That is when the community would once again turn on itself. Lives would be stolen by the gun violence known so well by the residents of Humboldt Park that the sounds the shots make no longer cause them to flinch and, at times, do not cause them to flee. 

Our communal siblings Gyovanny Arzuaga and Yasmin Perez are the names being circulated on social media accounts calling for justice. Hermano Gyovanny was shot while defending Yasmin, who was dragged from her vehicle, beaten, and shot in her neck. This series of events followed – according to Chicago Police Department – a minor traffic crash.   Almost immediately, multiple videos surfaced of the incident. People are seen standing by with their phones in hand, recording the next robbery of life on the streets adorned with flags, cultural references, and memorials. Let me emphasize the word: NEXT. While the names of the above-referenced individuals inspire demands for justice in the hashtag languages of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, at least 50 others were shot over the weekend, eight of them fatally. 

I believe that justice needs to be obtained for the families of Yasmin and Gyovanny; Especially their two children, who are now orphans after their father was killed at the scene and their mother while in the hospital Tuesday night. However, as a community, I also believe we need to come together and uncover the root of the injustices committed in our community. This step is required so that justice can blossom. The soil of dissociation cannot continue to be watered from the well of indolence, only to have the air contaminated with cries for others to treat us with respect while we use spilled blood to ink new levels of disrespect towards one another.

Almost as quickly as the video surfaced, so did the judgments, assumptions, racist tempers, and segregation that still snarls in the streets of Chicago. Claims that the murder of these two Boricuas would not go unanswered were made with a passion and fever that could almost convince those who are not familiar with the weekly numbers of shootings in Chicago that this was an unprecedented event. But, unfortunately, the countless families who adorn themselves with mourning daily know better. 

 I say all of this to say that we need to do better. The murder of  Gyovanny Arzuaga and Yasmin Perez is not horrific because it happened right after the People’s Puerto Rican Day Parade. The murder of  Gyovanny Arzuaga and Yasmin Perez is horrific because IT HAPPENED and because IT HAPPENS REGULARLY. Politicians will take money out of their left pocket and move it to their right one in the name of funding efforts to curb the violence. But the reality is that we do not need anyone to fund a change in our behavior. What we need is to understand that no currency, no organization, no grant, no program should be more potent and effective than our interactions with one another as a community. We need to value our lives and the lives of all in our community with an intensity that dwarfs the value we place on showing the world that we are warriors. We aren’t fighting oppression by serving as the most significant tool the oppressor has. 

As a Boricua, I grew up pidiendo la bendicion de mis padres as I exited and entered the home. The blessings I received came with a smile and a kiss. Today, bendiciones are requested of parents by the children that are still alive. The blessings offered are done so while parents light candles on the memorials of the children they lost while fighting the pain and panic attacks brought on by fears that their remaining children will also be reduced to photographs beside bodega-bought candles. 

I close offering light to the souls of all my communal brothers and sisters whose time was stolen, as well as offering light to the souls of those who still navigate a mortal experience. I pray the former finds peace. I pray the latter finds progress. 

©Dr William “King Mission” Ross 2021 

#onekingsmission #boricua #puertoricandayparadechicago #chicago #divisionstreet #humboldtpark