Many people may only know Puerto Rico as a palm-tree-filled vacation destination. However, this Caribbean paradise is home to a vibrant culture and history. Due to the migration patterns that began in the early 1900s Puerto Rican music, food, traditions, and art have weaved their way into the mainland cultural landscape. Infinity Insurance Agency, Inc. (IIA) appreciates every opportunity to engage with our Hispanic communities and is excited to explore the impact of Puerto Rican culture in the U.S.
A brief history of Puerto Ricans in the U.S.
Puerto Rico became a US territory in 1898, as a result of the US winning the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans would officially become U.S. citizens in 1917, and because of this declaration, they could move freely throughout the US mainland, (Library of Congress). In the early 1900’s, thousands of Puerto Ricans would migrate to Hawaii to work on sugar and pineapple plantations, (Duke University). After the end of World War II, Puerto Ricans began migrating in dramatic numbers, especially to New York City. In 1945 there were only 13,000 Puerto Ricans in New York City, but by 1946 this number had more than tripled.
According to the Library of Congress, many Puerto Ricans were looking for a fresh start and a change from the predominantly agrarian lifestyle of the island. During this time many U.S. factory owners and employment agencies had come to the island to recruit talent and entice workers to move to the mainland. There was even a state-sponsored program known as Operation Bootstrap created to encourage Puerto Rican migration, (Digital Public Library of America). Post-World War II air travel had become more affordable, and Puerto Ricans no longer had to risk a lengthy boat ride to migrate. The recruitment continues to this day with many talented teachers and healthcare providers going to work on the mainland. In 2017, after Hurricane Maria in 2017, over 200,000 Puerto Ricans left the island to relocate to the mainland, (U.S. Census).
As of today, Puerto Ricans enjoy U.S. citizenship and have U.S. passports, but do not have the right to vote.
Puerto Rican cultural contributions in the U.S.
While Puerto Ricans’ journey to the United States may have been considered an internal migration, Puerto Ricans would still reconcile with the emotional experience of leaving their homeland and its unique cultural traditions. Luckily, Puerto Rican cultural traditions, from the lively beats of bomba and plena to tasty plates piled high with mofongo have been embraced by the U.S.:
- Music and dance - Salsa, reggaetón, bomba and plena oh my! Puerto Rican music has made its mark with Puerto Rican artists like Marc Anthony, Ricky Martin, Bad Bunny, and Jennifer Lopez giving their heritage a global stage.
- Food - Mouthwatering Puerto Rican dishes and flavors have become incorporated into American communities with the adoption of such popular staples as arroz con gandules, mofongo, lechon, and tostones.
- Arts and literature - Puerto Rico has a strong history of literature from the poetry of Julia de Burgos to moving memoirs from Esmeralda Santiago, which document the ‘Nuyorican migration experience. Artists like Rafael Tufiño represented the Puerto Rican tradition of printmaking and brought to life a distinct figurative and abstract style.
The Puerto Rican diaspora in the U.S.
New York will be forever immortalized as a major hub of Puerto Rican culture thanks to movies like West Side Story. While New York City is the birthplace of ‘Nuyorican’ culture, and where you can still find communities filled with bodegas and piragüeros (shaved ice vendors), today the island’s influence extends far beyond the Big Apple. According to the Pew Research Center, states such as Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts also boast a growing Puerto Rican population.
Community and traditions
Although many Puerto Ricans may have swapped beaches for the concrete jungle, their celebrations of cultural pride can be found all over the country. Festive participants can join events such as the Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Other cultural traditions that have gained popularity include the celebrations of Three Kings Day and Nochebuena. Festive Christmas traditions include preparing an eggnog-like drink called coquito and a version of caroling known as “parranda”, (Business Insider). Maintaining these festivities allows Puerto Ricans to foster a sense of identity and cultural appreciation across multiple generations.
The future of Puerto Rican culture in the U.S.
As Puerto Rican culture continues to flourish in the U.S., younger generations are harnessing the power of the digital age to take their place in politics, media, and business. In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) became the youngest woman and youngest Latina ever to serve in Congress. Born to a Puerto Rican mother, AOC has become a symbol of Boricua (Puerto Rican) pride and continues to serve New York’s 14th District to this day, (ocasio-cortez.house.gov). Since the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rico’s younger generations have shown unrelenting resilience and strength, transforming the island into a hub for tech startups, accelerators, and venture capital firms according to Forbes. These young dreamers are championing STEM initiatives, disaster relief, and greater political participation and leadership for women, (Forbes).
The island of Puerto Rico may only be 100 miles long, but this petite paradise has made an indelible mark on U.S. culture. From the raps of Bad Bunny to the sweet song of the piragüero seller, Puerto Rico’s vitality and cultural richness have been embraced all over the country. Through unique traditions such as coquito at Christmastime or the celebrations of Three Kings Day, Puerto Rican cultural heritage can be preserved and appreciated for many generations.
Infinity Insurance Agency, Inc. is committed to serving the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities through cultural engagement and affordable auto insurance.
Reach out to our fully bilingual Spanish team today at 1-855-478-3705 for a free auto insurance quote!