Rican Weekend
By Urban Thought on June 8, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
If you ask some folk what truly sets off the Summer they’ll tell you the Puerto Rican Day Parade. But unlike the many Puerto Ricans that will be out today (or are out already) there are some who try to avoid the parade at all costs.
I sent one of my many Puerto Rican friends a text message asking why he wasn’t in town for the weekend seeing that all the festivities were occurring for his kin folk. His response, “I don’t like my people showing their ass. We tend to get extra during these festivities.” This same sentiment was expressed by most people I spoke with over the weekend.
As I was walking through the festival a “blanca” called out to two young girls, “Where is your Puerto Rican Pride?” The girls responded, “I left my fugging flag at home.” Blanca could only smile at the response.
The two girls looked at me and I looked back and smiled. “Who does she think she is? I’m too damn black to celebrate for some Puerto Rican’s. I don’t even go to that parade they through for us and she wants me to have Puerto Rican Pride?”
The Puerto Rican day Parade is mostly diversely attended parade in the city. So it should be no surprise if you see anyone other that Ricans attending.
It seems that the Parade is meant for those truly in the spirit of a party and less for those whom have Puerto Rican Pride. I’ll celebrate at the nearest watering hole.
well, some people get carried away…TRUE…I still love NYC for even HAVING events like this.
I agree with Meleah, that it’s a good thing for cities to host events like this.
About 25 years ago here in Toronto, the Gay Pride Parade consisted of maybe two dozen people marching up a coupla blocks of Church Street sidewalk. Now about half a million people attend. Of course there’s lots of T&A, but there’s also groups like PFLAG and Christian lobbies (I’ve walked with Integrity, the Anglican one)and teacher’s unions and whathaveyou, quietly affirming that we’re here, we’re queer, and we’ll see you in the supermarket lineup Saturday afternoon.
I’m Puerto Rican and I’m scared to go to this. It’s rice and beans overload.