In Side by Side: US Empire, Puerto Rico, and the Roots of American Youth Literature and Culture, author Marilisa Jiménez García focuses on the contributions of the Puerto Rican community to American youth, approaching Latinx literature as a transnational space that provides a critical lens for examining the lingering consequences of US and Spanish colonialism for US communities of color.

Through analysis of texts typically outside traditional Latinx or literary studies such as young adult literature, textbooks, television programming, comics, music, curriculum, and youth movements, Side by Side represents the only comprehensive study of the contributions of Puerto Ricans to American youth literature and culture, as well as the only comprehensive study into the role of youth literature and culture in Puerto Rican literature and thought.

Considering recent debates over diversity in children’s and young adult literature and media and the strained relationship between Puerto Rico and the US, Jiménez García's timely work encourages us to question who constitutes the expert and to resist the homogenization of Latinxs, as well as other marginalized communities, that has led to the erasure of writers, scholars, and artists.

Author: Marilisa Jiménez García, assistant professor of English and Latino Studies at Lehigh University

Commentator: Sonia Nieto, Professor Emerita, School of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Bios

Marilisa Jiménez García is an assistant professor of English and Latino Studies at Lehigh University. She is also the founding director and principle investigator at the Institute of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (https://wordpress.lehigh.edu/cres/). Jiménez García’s research on Latinx literature have appeared in Latino Studies, CENTRO: A Journal of Puerto Rican Studies, The Lion and the Unicorn, and Children’s Literature. Her new book, Side by Side: US Empire, Puerto Rico and the Roots of American Youth Literature and Culture (University Press of Mississippi, March 2021) examines the history of colonialism in Puerto Rico through an analysis of youth literature and culture both in the archipelago and the diaspora. Jiménez Garcia has worked on projects with Teaching for Change, The Children’s Defense Fund, and Sesame Street. 

Contact: [email protected]

Professor Emerita of Language, Literacy, and Culture, College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Sonia Nieto’s research has focused on multicultural education and the education of students of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, with an emphasis on [email protected] students. She has written or edited 13 books and has received dozens of awards for her scholarly work, teaching, activism, and advocacy, including 9 honorary doctorates.
Contact: [email protected]   Webpage: sonianieto.com

Virtual Event

6 PM Eastern Standard Time

eJournal Presentation

The Puerto Rican Experience in the U.S. Military: A Century of Unheralded Service
And Celebration of National Borinqueneers’ Day

The impact and meaning of the Puerto Ricans’ service in the armed forces of the United States go beyond mere numbers. Their service has served to disperse Puerto Ricans across the United States and the world creating new communities beyond what we understood as traditional diaspora centers. Military service, in particular during the WWII-Korean War period, also served to build modern Puerto Rico, and for Puerto Rican colonias turning into full-fledged communities to stake a claim of belonging. In this Webinar historian and author, Dr. Harry Franqui-Rivera, explores the impact of military service for Puerto Rico and the Puerto Ricans.

The Puerto Rican Experience in the U.S. Military: A Century of Unheralded Service

Puerto Ricans started fighting as auxiliary forces to the U.S. military in 1898. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans have served in every small and major conflict in which the United States has participated. This publication intends to show the scope of the Puerto Rican experience in the U.S. military without lionizing nor demeaning it. This project hopes to inspire the public and scholars to look into this under-studied phenomenon.

Author: Harry Franqui-Rivera, Associate Professor of History and Coordinator of History/Global Languages, Bloomfield College

Commentator: Laura Lee Oviedo, Ph.D. Candidate, Project Historian for the Philanthropy Initiative at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.


Celebrating the first “National Borinqueneers’ Day”

In January 2021, Congress overrode a presidential veto to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation also designated April 13 as National Borinqueneers Day.

On April 13, 2016, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment in recognition of the Borinqueneers’ numerous contributions to American history and outstanding military service from World War I to the Korean War. Learn more:

Borinqueneers Day and the Korean War in Puerto Rican History and Memory
In this essay, Harry Franqui explores the meaning of the Borinqueneers’ sacrifices for Puerto Rico and the Diaspora. “Let us remember that they represented the hopes of a people willing to sacrifice their youth for a better future, to pay a tribute of blood in search for acceptance, respectability, equality, a path towards decolonization, and a democracy that has proven elusive to them.” https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/centrovoices/chronicles/borinqueneers-day-and-korean-war-puerto-rican-history-and-memory

The Borinqueneers: The Forgotten Heroes of a Forgotten War
https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/centrovoices/chronicles/borinqueneers-forgotten-heroes-forgotten-war

With Honor and Dignity: Restoring the Borinqueneers' Historical Record
https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/centrovoices/chronicles/honor-and-dignity-restoring-borinqueneers-historical-record

President Obama to Honor Borinqueneers With Congressional Gold Medal
https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/events-news/news/president-obama-honor-borinqueneers-congressional-gold-medal

Puerto Rican Voices Season 3, Episode 7: The Pride of Our People
In this episode of Puerto Rican Voices, Harry Franqui-Rivera narrates the history of the 65th Infantry Regiment and describes events in Washington D.C. and New York which were held to commemorate the award. Watch the full segment here:
https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/centro-tv/puerto-rican-voices/pr-voices-s3e7-pride-our-people

Explore The Puerto Rican Experience in the U.S. Military: A Century of Unheralded Service
https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/digital-humanities/pr-military

Bios

Dr. Harry Franqui-Rivera is an Associate Professor of History at Bloomfield College, N.J. He is a prolific published author, documentary producer, public intellectual, cultural critic, blogger, political analyst, and NBC, Latino Rebels, and HuffPost contributor. His work has been featured in national and international media outlets, Telemundo, the New York Times, and NPR. His latest book, Soldiers of the Nation: Military Service and Modern Puerto Rico, (2018) has been widely praised. His next book, Fighting on Two Fronts: The Ordeal of the Puerto Rican Soldier during the Korean War will be published by Centro Press. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard for over a decade and currently serves in several academic, advocacy and policy boards such as the National Puerto Rican Agenda.  Contact: [email protected]

Laura Lee Oviedo is a project historian for the Philanthropy Initiative at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where she was also a curatorial fellow for the Division of Armed Forces History and project historian for the War & Latinx Philanthropy Initiative. As a Ph.D. candidate of History at Texas A&M University, her research examines how war and militarization impacts Latinx communities and shapes their understanding of identity, rights, citizenship and belonging. 

Contact:  [email protected]; Museum: [email protected] 

Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST

WHERE

Virtual: Zoom link

Virtual Event

Full Presentation

This event is co-sponsored by the Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.(SEA) / Teatro SEA.

This new animated short is inspired by Pura Belpré’s first picture book, Pérez and Martina: A Portorican Tale, which tells the story of beautiful Martina who is wooed by sneaky Señor Gato, whiney Señor Pato, proud Señor Gallo, sad Señor Grillo, chatty Señor Sapo, and gallant Señor Pérez, the mouse.
 

What is the Puerto Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassador Program?

Presentation by Author Dr. Raquel Ortiz

Manuel Antonio Morán moderates conversation with
Victoria Núñez, Raquel M. Ortiz,  and Tere Marichal-Lugo

Pura Belpre research, archival and teaching resources

Conversation with the creative team of
Cucarachita Martina's Musical Adventure


This event is co-sponsored by the Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.(SEA) / Teatro SEA.

The Puerto Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassadors Program invites you to the premiere of Cucarachita Martina’s Musical Adventure.

This new animated short is inspired by Pura Belpré’s first picture book, Pérez and Martina: A Portorican Tale, which tells the story of beautiful Martina who is wooed by sneaky Señor Gato, whiney Señor Pato, proud Señor Gallo, sad Señor Grillo, chatty Señor Sapo, and gallant Señor Pérez, the mouse.

Pura Belpré was the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City and author of one of the first Latino children’s picture books. Pura was also a cultural activist who studied, re-interpreted and celebrated Puerto Rican folktales and culture. Pura was a talented storyteller and celebrated puppeteer. As the first Puerto Rican librarian in the New York Public Library system, she pioneered the library's work with the Puerto Rican community. The American Library Association has named an award in her honor.

Pura Belpré stated that the story of Pérez and Martina was her, "golden key in opening doors everywhere." She used this story in puppet shows, pantomimes, and plays. It was shown on television and broadcasted over the radio. Pura, Martina and Señores Gato, Pato, Sapo, Gallo, Grillo and Ratoncito Pérez even rode on a float down 5th Avenue for the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.

The script for Cucarachita Martina’s Musical Adventure was written by the award-winning children's book author Raquel M. Ortiz. Art was created by Tere Marichal, the recipient of two Emmys and the Premio René Marquez. Musical Director Desmar Guevara has created dozens of original scores, songs, and arrangements and has recorded with greats that include Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. The film also features the voices of award winning actress Alejandra Ramos, Mario Mattei and vocalist Elizabeth Pérez. The film was directed and edited by two-time Emmy nominee Waldo Cabrera.

Moderator

Manuel Antonio Morán is an actor, singer, writer, composer, puppeteer, theater and film director and producer in Puerto Rico, Latin America, Europe, and the United States. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of SEA, Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.

Presenters

Raquel M. Ortiz is a professor, anthropologist and author of bilingual children’s books including, Sofi Paints Her Dreams/Sofi pinta sus sueños and When Julia Danced Bomba/Cuando Julia bailaba bomba. She currently works at Centro as curriculum developer for the Puerto Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassador Program. Raquel is the author of the book, Cucarachita Martina’s Musical Adventure.

Tere Marichal-Lugois an acclaimed actress and television personality known for her character, Maria Chuzema on Puerto Rico's PBS-affiliated Canal 6. She has authored over thirty children’s books and is recipient of two Emmys and the Premio René Marquez. Tere is the illustrator of Cucarachita Martina’s Musical Adventure.

Victoria Núñez is an assistant professor in the School of Education at Mercy College. She is author of "Remembering Pura Belpre's Early Career at the135th Street New York Public Library: Interracial Cooperation and Puerto Rican Settlement During the Harlem Renaissance." RACE, FRONT AND CENTER: Perspectives on Race Among Puerto Ricans, 2017

Waldo Cabrera is a two-time Emmy nominated journalist and Executive Producer of My Long Island TV. He is a Multimedia Producer at Centro. Waldo animated Cucarachita Martina’s Musical Adventure

Alejandra Ramos is a playwright, actress, director and producer. She is Co-founder and Artistic Director of Teatro la azotea, Inc. Her published works include “En la azotea, 10 piezas cortas de teatro” (Ed. Callejón 2016), and her play “En Blanco” as part of “Puerto Rico Off: Teatro y Performance Fronterizos” (Miami: Ed. Hypermedia, 2020). She is also Digital Humanities and eJournal Project Manager at Centro. Alejandra voiced Cucarachita Martina in Cucarachita Martina’s Musical Adventure.

Melinda Gonzalez is a dancer, singer and cofounder of the Bomba dance ensemble, BombaYo. She is also the Coordinator of the Puerto Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassador Program at Centro.

Anibal Arocho is the Manager of the Centro Library and Archives at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies/Hunter College

Puerto Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassadors Program
Centro’s Puerto Rican Heritage Cultural Ambassadors Program is a free, self-paced, multimedia online course in Puerto Rican history, culture, and traditions, with a focus on the migration experience of the stateside diaspora.

To learn more about the program or access free teaching resources visit https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/education/puerto-rican-heritage-cultural-ambassadors-program

Teatro SEA
Learn more about the Society of the Educational Arts, Inc. (SEA), Teatro SEA and their educational programing by visiting http://teatrosea.org/sea/

Centro Library and Archives
The Centro Library & Archives is the only archival repository nationwide exclusively devoted to documenting the Puerto Rican communities living in the United States. Our holdings include over 300 collections of personal papers and organizational records, including approximately 100,000 photographs, 4,000 audio and video recordings, and 2,000 art posters. Our collections consist of personal papers from prominent Puerto Rican artists, elected officials, social activists, writers, as well as the records of community-based organizations. Learn more at https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/library

Centro Archive Digital Collections
The Centro Archives Digital Collections is a growing resource of material digitized from collections throughout the Archive's holdings. The site provides access to photographs, documents, artifacts, art, maps, oral histories, moving image and audio clips, and other material pertaining to the Puerto Rican diaspora. Highlights include material from the Pura Belpre Papers, Justo A. Marti Photograph Collection, and interviews from Centro's Oral History Project. The Gallery section contains curated content on a variety of topics and people. Explore the collections at https://centroca.hunter.cuny.edu/index.php/

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centro Library and Archives located on the first floor of the Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work Building in El Barrio, NYC is closed, but digital collections are accessible online. Live chat with librarian at https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/library or email questions and requests to [email protected]

Virtual Event: Link will be provided upon registration

Here is your Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85724501333?pwd=eDB2TG5kS29GbzI0bTJOZWtIMHlsdz09

6 PM Eastern Time

Wednesday, February 3rd at 3:00 PM EST/4:00 AST

Puerto Rico has suffered the compounded effects of multiple disasters since the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. At the end of 2019, the island was impacted with recurrent seismic activity in the southwest region, including a magnitude 6.4 earthquake on January 7, 2020. In early 2020, the current COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting health crises induced yet another economic contraction. All these disasters are underscored by a crushing debt crisis and a federally mandated austerity regime since 2016. Multiple natural disasters have exacerbated vulnerability and poverty; and public energy, telecommunications, water, health, and transportation systems have deteriorated and become even more vulnerable, causing systematic failures in social safety nets.

Post-disaster federal funding for economic recovery offers Puerto Rico a unique window of opportunity to restore its economy and infrastructure in a more resilient fashion while strengthening the nonprofit sector capacity for community planning, housing development and neighborhood revitalization. However, such an opportunity is contingent on implementing a comprehensive strategy for reforming public policy to encourage and support nonprofit developers participation in reconstruction programs, building industry capacity by strengthening intermediaries and CDCs, encouraging intra-industry partnerships and collaborations, and providing professional development for economic recovery.

Join us Wednesday, February 3rd at 3:00 PM EST/4:00 AST for a webinar to discuss the collection of studies included in Fall 2020 special volume of the Centro Journal showing evidence of how post disaster recovery is progressing in Puerto Rico, and the challenges and opportunities for local participation in reconstruction programs.

Event Cosponsors:

This webinar is cosponsored by
The National Puerto Rican Agenda, National Puerto Rican Student Coalition, IdeaComún,
Puerto Rican Student Association at NYU, Despierta Boricua at Yale, and Urbana Planifica

Presenters:

Entrepreneurial Dynamics in Puerto Rico Before and After Hurricane María
Marinés Aponte, Professor, Business Administration Department at Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras

Centros de Apoyo Mutuo: reconfigurando la asistencia en tiempos de desastre
Roberto Vélez-Vélez, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, SUNY at New Paltz

Impact of Hurricane María to the Civic Sector: A Profile of Non-Profits in Puerto Rico
Ivis García Zambrana, Assistant Professor, City & Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah

Puerto Rico Community Development Industry’s Capacity for Disaster Recovery
Edwin Meléndez, Director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies and Professor of Urban Policy and Planning, Hunter College

What is Possible? Policy Options for Long-term Disaster Recovery in Puerto Rico
Ariam L. Torres Cordero, Centro Researcher and doctoral student in Urban Planning (DSUP) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Presenter bios can be found at this link: https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/education/instructores

Tools

Journal Abstract: CENTRO_Abstract_Fall2020.pdf
Journal Intro: CENTRO_Intro_Fall2020.pdf

A Profile of Non-Profits and Recovery PPP (PDF) by Ivis Garcia Zambrana

CENTRO: Journal Special Issue: Post-Disaster Recovery in Puerto Rico and Local Participation is available here http://www.centropr-store.com/centro-journal-vol-xxxii-no-3-fall-2020/