"Puerto Rican Obituary" reflection

This poem shows what it is like living in America as a Puerto Rican.  Piedro Pietri, the author, mainly focuses on the working aspect of life.  Puerto Ricans have an excellent work ethic, as they never show up late or take days off.  They work hard and never complain.  However, this attitude is never rewarded.  They are paid poorly and can barely pay their bills.  They are employed in working class jobs as factory workers, messenger boys, janitors, assistants, and the like.  Although all in the United States are trying to achieve the American Dream, it is simply not possible for Puerto Ricans.  The system has set them up to fail.  The American Dream is just that to the Puerto Ricans: a dream.  

Not only are the Puerto Ricans unable to attain material wealth, but also are unable to gain respect from their fellow Americans.  Pietri infers the Puerto Ricans are inferior to rodents, as even "mice live like millionaires."  They are constantly discriminated against and battle racism in every community.  Although they pledge allegiance to the United States and salute to the flag, they do not feel the same sense of appreciation.  Americans refuse to care about their culture, such as the Spanish pronunciation of their last names.  Even at their funerals, Pietri believes, their flowers will be stolen.  This image shows the utter lack of respect and feeling for Puerto Ricans in the United States.  All this hatred from the outside turns the Puerto Rican people against each other as well.  The want and longing for material wealth causes them to become jealous and steal from each other.  Puerto Ricans are completely losing their ties to each other and their culture back on the island.

This culture, as Pietri exclaims, is a beautiful one.  He believes that if American Puerto Ricans did not buy into assimilating and Americanization, they would realize the richness and splendor of their own ways of life.  Puerto Rico itself is a great place and should not be seen as inferior to the United States.  Pietri even goes as far as to say that death is better for Puerto Ricans than living in America, as they face constant harassment and discrimination while living.  In this magical place after death, the Puerto Ricans are happy and uniting.  They are appreciating their culture, language, and country.  These last couple of verses are in stark contrast to the rest of the poem.  Here, Pietri is highlighting Puerto Rico and insulting America.

After reading this poem, I felt saddened at the treatment my fellow Americans extended to Puerto Ricans.  The racism against people of other races, ethnicities, religious, skin color, and whatever other differences is atrocious in this country.  I think its time for a great change and hopefully such actions will not repeat themselves as history has shown they will.  

Stephanie Dowdle