Puerto Rico and the American Dream

few real meetings so.Green snow and green timberland boots sale water gate’s fastenning is well and also a sister for the sake of saving her, it is normal to crumple to knead her chest that ……"Is green proper to see appearance understand Li Xuan very much, at that moment explanation way."Ha ha, green proper, I still really have never thought so many, however you before say that believing in a lord to think is wrong, that you thinks to believe in a lord, I thought to be wrong of the place is to thought of where?"Li Xuan Hei’s Hey says with smile.Is green proper to smell speech, on the face immediately red Tong Tong of is like an apple that is getting more thoroughly cooked."Believe in a lord, green proper, thinking to believe in is green proper the lord think of is close relatives each other so, that, that is to the sullying of spirit clansmen and the indignity."Green proper is honest person, therefore think of say everything of the truth, so sounding is just interesting, also feel incitement.[]Chapter 224 kills of bridge ?the 7th is more ?But green proper say like this, Li Xuan is on the contrary a bit deelpy ashamed, right away moderate way:"That, really is that I thought a branch, I am sorry.""Believe in a lord, I know the meaning that you didn’t humiliate spirit ……"And green proper said a meeting son words, Li Xuan’s second consciousness is also foolish at here.The truth that is just the first consciousness to act in the body, Li Xuan discovers, green source, really doom.Her spirit is pounded at, have already broken to spread to open ……only have consciousness of one part, even if is to save to live, probably also can be that memory is weak, spirit strange bad disabled person.For this result, Li Xuan didn’t talk.Looking at green snow and green water that is full is an expectant look in the eyes, he immediately stood way:"Can save, however your real strenght is bad now, saving will also die.Thus, I have here two sets of five-star of win the sorcery suit of article, you take.You also know that I nearby have seven star gentlemans five important successfully strongs, now she already seven star gentlemans six graveness satisfactory, so the chain machine is still not difficult.Take and otherwise saved you to die again later on now, that lost more than gain."Li Xuan’s words, let green water 2 people are touched to the pole, at that moment didn’t also refuse, silently answered.This time, the second Li Xuan consciousness has already taken green Yun of Cai Zhi Qiang’s mother to arrive at 1 of space.He opens a space with the hand point and show unintentionally on the space several divide an outside of appearance."That is the green source they"On seeing to go, the way of green Yun concussion."……Do you know each other?""They and I are a place of, last time be for letting the green source leave, I am grasped of, otherwise I also entered sorcery tower."The green Yun suddenly weeps over a way."That at the right moment, her current circumstance, the Wu works properly to break spread, have to a Wu work properly to inherit her body, just can take back one part of consciousness, but later can be that you became a person with her ……so can you accept?You had a kid now, that was to say, after, she is you, you are her, you still have a son ……but very obvious, she is have an evil source, she still loves deeply green fire ……can the green fire accept Cai Zhi Qiang, this son?""In fact I also love deeply green fire …… she and I at that time are because green fire, just walked together of, afterwards I know that green fire’s loving her be exceled to love me, I decided to be thin to forget this feelings ……""I understood, you went in""Mother, you stop worrying, as long as existing your this mother in the son heart and outside recognize not to recognize to all have no relational."Cai Zhi Qiang knows that this a moment he should search future happiness for own mother and forgets ever of in the past, so he spoke this sentence." Strong, our spirit can’t tell a lie of, since it is so, this matter I will say with green fire ……just involve your secret of Li Xuan, I affirmation will say is under Li Xuan’s your help, so, avert from those secrets not to say and then go.Green fire will accept."The green Yun sees of open very much, but this answer, got consistent affirmation of Li Xuan et al.Later on, the Wu of green Yun works properly to quietly fall in and permeates inside the body of getting into the green source and connects down, Li Xuan Yi the thunder fastenned evil crystally to right away fall in pieces to open, a great deal of of the energy got into the body of green source, immediately, this woman right away wide awoke to come over gradually.The material on her body didn’t damage, so didn’t also expose after resuming what spring scenes, however Li Xuan still sent her a set of five-starly win the sorcery suit of article, and display light fasten magic trick orison Shu and like her exhaustive treatment.Arriving this is one-step, three female spirits this just truely embraced each other to together weep over.And green source at the moment, is also a green source, is also a green Yun, however on the whole 2 people’s acquaint with, this body, in addition to being satisfied with, also only was satisfied with more, so, two women united as one, is on the whole still the man of clean and purely owning of the ability integrity a devotion, future, want ?only green fire deathless, they will be happy.Space inside, see this backstage, Cai Zhi Qiang smiled and also cried, for Li Xuan’s this teacher, he again kneels down to thank humbly.This mood of his, Li Xuan is again not how could understand, so, he ordered to nod and started to pull Cai Zhi Qiang, didn’t say more as well what.……"Li Xuan, this time luckily you, before I still hate you very much to dislike you very much, very anxious to malicious beat you, now, I apologize to you for own birdbrain."All the way follow three female spirits together, green snow not from nearby admit mistake a way at Li Xuan."Ha ha, need not so, I in fact and basically don’t living your spirit of, otherwise can’t save you, either.As for on the battlefield, I beat you that is also as it should be, because you have no real strenght, that will suffer beating, this is the regulation of this world.Even if is to encore, I also also start to you, can not say because you are a lovely little girl, show leniency."Li Xuan hard says."Li Xuan says of to, if early know reality of ruthlessness, we can’t almost die here, either ……so, face combat, can not be slack to neglect of heart O.K. this Lee Xuan saved us, but we can promise Li Xuan forever at are we nearby?H’m ……my meaning is to say, we can meet a danger like this, will meet next time, say this road in the sorcery tower again, just just started, who didn’t know as well behind will be what circumstance, Li Xuan cans not have been protecting us, either, himself, there are also the friendses of his school all here ……"Green water hard says.The words that start her still have some ambiguity, after feeling two different visions, she hurriedly explained for a while.However even if so, she is still that some Qiaos get red in the face, be especially crumpled the time of kneading the ru building by green snow, looking at by the other party, green snow doesn’t know the mankind’s living temperament, but green water is knowing, now is really very embarrassed, also very helpless.Associate to own life just is also what he saves, her idea is in fact also thin to come down, seen by him arrive a nothing important also not okay, as long as later heart in as to it’s no longer his man has a moving felling, so also the way of nature according to spirit ……In her heart thus of think."Is this truth yes, my understand of, the price this time is all what I was naughty to result in not and hard before, I will good self-discipline of, when the time comes, I also start to carry on the shoulder the heavy burden of spirit city, let our next generations can carefree of growth, happily play ……"The green snow tone is pure to rather say, this kind of is light, aery of, quite voice, but showed the great decision that she becomes a strong.Eat a Qian to grow one Zhi, indeed as expected, after, the affair this time’s green snow, also grow up.Green source and green water looking at green snow very delightedly and finally peeped out exultant smiling face on the face.……Fly all the way, Li Xuan beats first time, once meeting an evil monster, Li Xuan all directly uses the Dan star in the space pit, direct second kills and takes Dan, quick speed, absolutely surpass description.Looking at Li Xuan this kills, green water waits a person in addition to envy and shocked, also many several cents for strong of idea of high regard.Fly all the way, poured and don’t meet any further what dangerous.Three day after, Li Xuan arrived at the start a mind’s eye observation most of only wooden bridge general place.From a distance, he sees by the side of this bridge, have already stood a group of persons, very obvious, many people come first.……"Green source, green snow, green water, you also came on the whole" from a distance, the voice of green fire spread to come over and was full of to concern in this voice and the emotion for protecting, move people."H’m ……we came."The voice of green source takes very complex emotion, tiny have some to shiver, but soon, and then was calm down."Came good, Li Xuan also came now, the number about also arrived, we continue again to wait for three days, if dided not arrive again of, basically that is to have already been unable to come ……"Took a look persons like green water,etc, the breeze depends on aqueous of the words are some lose, but still still take several divide a thriving hope.On that day, at thus of wait for in, exceed persons, such as a gram of Jia and Yi Lun…etc. to arrive.On the second day, Luo Yu and many Lun diagrams arrived.Till the third day, no one arrives at here any further, hence, while statisticsing a number, breeze has to declare according to water, however red sky of, still compare Si especially and ? Suo the news of three Human body deads.The third day, haven’t appeared and arrive at here, basically, have already had no as well on the hoof of possibility.For this result, though the many people can not accept, but very obvious, this is the fact."Li Xuan and Luo Yu, Xie Yi and Chu’s text sincerely, moxa ? , many Lun diagrams, Ya Gan, Mo Suo, momentarily Lun, the Shi Fang Xin, a Chinese family name, green source, green snow, green breeze, green Luan, green water, green fire, wheat month, exceed a gram of Jia, Yi Lun, fall a dust, cripple sky once etc. go 21 people and all started acting now and left""The tutor only gleams on thunder of this big bridge, the top is an offensive sorcery everywhere, fore is a scope of radicle, we want really pass by?"The inquiry way that the Yi Lun cannots help but."In addition timberland boots sale uk to don’t have no so now then.""We can look for a method here of" Yi Lun persistence way."Can not meet dangerous past, who again would not like to, be surely waiting the arrival of other companions for these three days, but actually same of I am also studying everything here, very ashamed BE, here of the whole can not study at all very clear, change variety doesn’t say at any time, oneself still extremely complicated dangerousThis bridge really makes us throw away life, but we go under etc. again, behind of evil monster very quick riot, will hurtle to come over, eat up all of us."The breeze pensively says according to water."This ……how can, meeting so?"Sincerely Chu’s text facial expression has some pale of say, seem previous career, still keep coming clearly to view.Very obviously, she should be be attackstoned by the evil monster of bear the threat of life, this just truely feel shocked and fear."Spirit too the big prediction Shu of elder although understand not to the concrete circumstance, some calculate here, always the will is accurate."As a result breeze is saying according to water, , the world of distance starts bombing however the earthquake moved, this a moment, far and far see go, can see endless endless evil monster like hurtling of tidewater sort.[]Chapter 225 life and death is frightened ?the 8th is more ?"Leave, didn’t choose!"Is cripple sky of to suddenly say, immediately also not much say, the first turns to make a sandstorm, toward that only the wooden bridge hurtle.Originally his speed is the quickest, but hurtles bridge all of a sudden in, immediately"Weng" of a planted to fall down to fall from the air at bridge up, immediately, originally is no longer a very big body, in falling at the bridge behind, quickly diminish.Is original bridge just descend vacillating of flame current of air, those flame fog spirits rise the flame current of air that the Teng results in, at the moment as declining meteorite for a sky with huge, bomb of downfall."Chi Chi-""Chi Chi-"On the bridge of cripple sky of, the facial expression is tiny pale several cents, immediately, his action became stiff many, he acts hard and evades confrontation with the attack of those meteorite general flames.See this act of public, the facial expression all changed a while.Li Xuan’s subconscious thoughts of own space chemical element bead and originally prepare to open it, pack persons like green source,etc into space chemical element bead the district of the right side above, but this a moment, the space chemical element bead suddenly lost contact and completely beat not to open.This for a while, Li Xuan scared pole, connect to take, he quickly responds the second idea, the second idea immediately has to respond, just the second idea also not at space chemical element bead in, but just at the spirit space of his between the eyebrows in, but that spirit space, just a simple of spirit space, seem space chemical element bead the sudden be sealed to forbid be thoroughly shielded."Indeed as expected, the Bo says more really is is so, see to a front because not arrive concrete position or is didn’t be subjected to what influence, but here come to a concrete position be influenced ……"Hesitate in Li Xuan Xin, for space insider thing he doesn’t worry their safeties, the space chemical element bead absorbed Na the energy of quite a few tradition bead son, Li Xuan completely can feel the severe relation isn’t likely to say to have no so among them have no of, so his pouring is to don’t worry as well."Leave!The last bridge still has a ray of hope and stays again here, here am about to collapse!"The breeze no longer hesitates according to water, at that moment and equally lead off to hurtle last bridge up.This time, Luo Yu, Xie Yi and Chu’s text sincerely, moxa ? , many Lun diagrams, the graceful stem etc. person to took a look mutually, immediately and mercilessly orders to nod and bites a tooth to also hurtle up.At the moment, Li Xuan also has no to think more, the wing of the direct breeze is one exhibition, the thunder only escapes skill dragon’s start and hurtle ascend bridge.And Mo Suo, momentarily Lun, Xin, a Chinese family name of Shi Fang, green source, green snow, green breeze, green Luan, green water, green fire, wheat month, exceed a gram of Jia, Yi Lun and fall persons like dust,etc, while seeing Li Xuan also hurtle to go out, also all two words don’t say of hurtle up.Just hurtled bridge, after death of road sudden explosion generally collapsed Chi, dropped go into under of red of flame huge big wave in, immediately turned make one current of air, ‘Chi Chi’exploded reduce to ashes.Have already ascended bridge of public looking at opposite in groups and hugely to roar of evil monster, looking at to turn the one land of making the one ruins,facial expression again of pallor get up.Sudden, bridge Weng the Zhan Li of the Weng get up, under the bridge of the billow seemed to roar, vacillating and dashing, produce a huge fire wave, that fire wave is blunt sky of but rises, immediately after explode general spilt open, numerous fire rain drive deep-fried dispersed open, along bridge jet but.While looking not heavy fire rain, falling on the bridge, this is each , all have the diameter that ten meters grow at least, this hits all of a sudden on the body, this powerful fire chemical element coagulates of liquid, will let a personal direct violent death on the spot!See on the bridge is a blue evil crystal general flat surface, but truely step on to just know behind, this thing is like also a piece of terrible magnetic iron, the person stands after top, complete of the dead die of be absorbed, wanted to move an one step, the difficulties are all extremely huge!The place like this lets Li Xuan Bai thinks not to get its solution, natural environment bottom, and the sky like this closes hazardous ground of?This felling, seem be taken to look for happy general!Think in his heart, but don’t dare as well the gist, the strong anti- gravity Shu is died to deadly add to hold body up, the breeze fastens at the same time of light body Shu etc., completely displays with all strength!By this time, his speed is the on the contrary the quickest, while he can look after of, also however is green green source snow green water 3 people just, others, though Li Xuan has a heart help, but what then the space chemical element bead can not open, therefore he is also incapable for the dint."Bomb!"Seeing a the regiment fire rain bombing downfall is about to hit the head of green source, the suddenly green fire shouts at top of voice, gobbling up of directly a fire chemical element fieriness to that fire rain huge regiment.The impact dint of that huge regiment fire rain is extremely violent, and the huge attraction of this blue bridge, these come one by one, the green fire is completely no less than hence seek dead.Only, this time, green fire after making moves, quickly evade confrontation with, with the absolute speed, difficulties of averted from that a bombing."Bomb!"Fire rain falls in the blue of evil crystal up, evil crystal immediately exploding of"Yi Yi" the sorcery chemical element of spreading a purity air, the person of these air neighborhoods suddenly absorbs after Na arrive, the whole body is abrupt however acquired absolutely strong chemical element strength, for an instant, fix to promote more than 50% degree for fieriness!"- This, this is the origin sorcery chemical element, ha ha, good, good-"This time, sudden progressed 1 F of many Lun diagrams right away and happily dance and stamp, he nearby sorcery chemical element such of many, his nearby of the sorcery chemical element is just thus strong, absorbed Na several, broke 1 F, that has what than this mader with joy!Just and so of think of time, the that sorcery chemical element that explodes to spread out air sudden coagulates together and turns to make an ice dragon to generally and falsely copy, abrupt however open huge big mouth, the one mouthful bites many Lun diagrams at in!"Ka Ca-"Obvious is timberland waterproof boots the voice of ground bone crack, many half bodies of Lun diagrams and a thigh drop to drop down from the air, the blood sprayed 1 ground, but that ice dragon falsely shadow, disappear in this a moment.This of condition, let to absorbed Na equally the cold idea in parts of public of two people sorcery chemical element greatly increase, think that the madness that all don’t think flees elsewhere!Descend a moment indeed as expected, and then numerous ice dragons falsely copy abrupt however toward these people gobble up since then, each one mouthful bites off to go and just has before many conditions of Lun diagrams to remind, these people where dare the gist, consequently like this under, pour is repeatedly evaded confrontation with.Though the condition is still terrible, but the rest person most likely all promoted some fix to die for absorbing some sorcery chemical elements but having no.This scene later on, public all ex- went approximately the distance of 3410 meters, the attraction of this bridge noodles is extremely huge, therefore once wanted the difficulty of this bridge, also biggest.

TORONTO – The diamond industry will go through a period of “consolidation and rationalisation” over the next year or so, and small producers must consider merger and acquisition activity if they want to survive the pruning, said Rockwell Diamonds CEO John Bristow.Vancouver-based Rockwell produces high-value diamonds from alluvial mines in South Africa.The company has had approaches from other juniors, and is talking to potential partners, Bristow said in an interview in Toronto on Thursday.There is a lot more pragmatism in the market, and companies are prepared to talk to each other to find ways to create value, he commented.There is especially pressure on junior producers, the market capitalisations of which have shrunk to the point where they are no longer on the radar for many investors.“People lose interest, it’s just too small,” Bristow said.“So,coal crushing and sizing equipment we are very firmly of the view that there needs to be consolidation in this market.”

Earlier this week, Gryphon Partners managing partner Gordon Bogden told an audience at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference that many junior and smaller midtier companies will need to consider mergers if they are to survive the difficult economic climate.

Rockwell will firstly consider tieups with diamond miners which have alluvial operations in South Africa, although it might consider looking further nortstone crusher manufacturer in usah, to countries like Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as to West Africa, he said.Although any transaction would of necessity be paper-based, Rockwell is considering a private placement – probably of at least C$5-million, to cover things like lawyers’ and advisers’ fees for a potential deal.

The financing would also provide an additional cushion in case the market dips further, Bristow said, although he emphasised that the firm, which has between C$4-million and C$5-million on hand including inventory, is by no means in distress.used stone crusher north america“But it is going to be a challenging year,” he added.“There will be consolidation in the industry and the business; a lot of weak players, be they miners, be they beneficiators, be they retail stores, will certainly disappear.”

While the long-term forecast of a shortage of gem-quality rough diamonds appeared intact, the next year or two will remain “challenging”, RBC Capital Markets analyst Des Kilalea predicted in a research note on the industry this week.

“Industry operators are feeling the pinch of lower sales volumes and lower prices, with most companies now in ‘cash preservation’ mode,” he commented.The diamond market had an exceptionally strong first three quarters of 2008, but in October, November and December trade ground to a standstill as a market surplus and slowing economic activity translated into severely depressed sales, said Rockwell marketing and sales manager Jeffrey Brenner.By now, however, any oversupply in the market has been cleared out into the retail sector, after diamond miners slashed output levels, and the wheels of trade have begun to turn again.Rockwell, with its high-value gems, has not been as hard-hit by price declines as some other producers, Brenner said.Overall, prices for the company’s diamonds have probably declined by about 30% to 40% from last year’s values.In response to the market downturn at the tail end of 2008, the company opted to extend its Christmas shutdown period, and kept its mines closed for the duration of December and January.In February, it restarted the Holpan, Klipdam and Saxendrift operations, but decided to put the Wouterspan mine, where an older plant and higher labour requirements translate into higher operating costs, on care-and -aintenance.The firm has retrenched about 140 people, and did not renew the contracts of another 40, Bristow said.Rockwell still plans to reopen Wouterspan in the medium term, but not before it has the cash needed to modernise and refurbish the plant to reduce costs at the operation.

The firm recently commissioned a new low-cost, high-volume wet rotary pan plan at Saxendrift, and would like to have a similar operation running at Wouterspan.Groupwise, unit costs are currently at around $3,50/t, and Bristow is hoping to see the figure come down further, as it takes advantage of lower input costs for things like fuel.

Shares in TSX- and JSE-listed Rockwell gained 16,7% on Friday, to 3,5 Canadian cents by 14:19 in Toronto.

Every other day, the newspaper reports of the elevating crime cases and burglar cases. Thus, it has become prime necessity to safeguard the surroundings. These days it is not at all a tuff thing to find home security systems because there are several companies that offers a wide variety of alarm systems. Residential home security systems, intrusion alarm monitoring systems, automatic fire alarm systems, and carbon monoxide monitoring, flood and temperature sensors are some of the alarm mechanisms that you can purchase.

If the house is mechanized with appropriate home security systems, it will help you in sleeping peacefully because you can simply rely on it. There are different types of home security systems available in the market and are available in an affordable range. Several times it happens that you plan to go to a destination but further get compelled to cancel it. The security reasons are the chief reasons behind cancelling the trip because simultaneously it keeps running in your mind that what will happen to your home behind your back. So instead of compromising with the enjoyable moments that you could spend with your loved ones, it is the best option to get a perfect home security system allotted at your home.

Once there is a home security system integrated at your place, your surroundings will always be under strict supervision relieving you with all the tensions. So you do not need to make slight variations because of the security reasons. Go and get your security system mechanized now!

Many of the buildings are constructed in such a manner that it leaves a person spellbound. Behind the innovative designs of the buildings, there are efforts of several people to come up with those designs for the buildings. Scaffolding is a temporary structure made by compiling strands of wooden pillar or steel pillar to carry on the work.

Imagine a scenario when you are asked to stand on fifteenth or sixteenth floor of a building, what will be your reaction? You will be ultimately left with a sense of fear and some of you might not even turn up to stand. So think of those who stand on the temporary structure for the whole day to emerge out with new designs and patterns of the building.

Contemporarily, the scaffolds are available in various forms like wooden, metallic and fibred ones. The scaffolds are used while the renovation process of a building too. The newly constructed buildings require a metallic structure so as to maintain consistency in the construction process. For temporary construction process, wooden scaffolding is a much flexible option.

There are several scaffolding Canada, which requires legal permission from the authorities regarding the license. The license must be there so as to avoid any sort of risks for the long term results. Contemporarily, there are flexible scaffolding structures that can be suspended also according to the demand of the circumstances

The moment your vehicle has a breakdown or any complexity, the subsequent question that comes in mind is that whether you should take your vehicle to a reputed vehicle centre or should you go to your local vehicle repair centre? Its not that you are sole one who is encountering this complexity rather, there are several people like you who encounters the same complexity.

There are several advantages of taking the vehicle to a reputed vehicle repairing centre so as to get the best services for your vehicle. The preceding article will make you realize the several benefits that you get when you visit to a reputed vehicle repairing centre instead of visiting a local one.

You must have comes across this scenario where you were asked to leave your vehicle for one or two days because the ordinary vehicle repairing centre do not have the availability of the particular part or accessory that your vehicle requires to be integrated. But have you encountered the same scenario when you had visited to a mechanic Burnaby or dealt with a reputed dealer. Majority of you would answer ‘no’ because at these places the automobile parts are brought in bulk so that the customers of the company do not compromise in any manner.

When you visit a generic vehicle store, do you get the warranty services? No not at all, and the vehicle is always prone to meet unexpected scenario but meanwhile when it comes to a reputed dealer, once they are done with their work, the vehicle is further checked thoroughly and further you are given the warranty services under which you can bring your vehicle any time within the warranty period of the vehicle.

The local dealers do not specializes in a specific genre but coming to a big vehicle repairing centre, they have diverse set of teams that specializes in specific auto product like transmission services or integration of engine mechanism. So on and all, after reading these different flexibilities that you can avail by giving your vehicle to a reputed vehicle centre

Political Activist and Community Leader Yolanda Sanchez died earlier today. She was born in El Barrio/East Harlem, and has lived there for most of her life.

She is a graduate of The City College of New York/CUNY and has a Master’s Degree from Columbia University in Social Work with a Specialization on Community Organizing.

Considered one of the most ardent defenders of the Latino empowerment movement in New York City, Yolanda was part of the group that organized, in the 1960’s, the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs (PRACA) which established the first Puerto Rican foster care and adoption services agency in New York.

At Dr. Antonia Pantoja’s invitation, she joined the staff of ASPIRA in 1962. Yolanda was also one of the original board members of the East Harlem council for Human Services, Inc.

Through the EHCHS, Ms. Sanchez lead the team that developed and built Taino Towers, with 700 units of low and moderate income housing, and Casabe Houses, with 124 units of subsidized housing for the elderly. In 2010, under Casabe Houses sponsorship and financing, Yolanda developed C.A.C.H. E., (Casabe Arts, Culture, History, Education program).

In addition, Yolanda is a founding member of the National Latinas Caucus, a feminist organization. She also organized and served as first chair of El BAC (El Barrio Action Coalition). In the early 1970’s, she organized and led one of the first groups to travel from the United States to China after the Second World War.

From: http://blog.nuyoriquena.com

I have had to deal with some very rude questions over the years such as, “What are you?” to which I reply, “A woman. You?” Of course, my wit is not typically appreciated. I am shocked by how many people have retorted, “You know what I mean!” Um yeah, no. I have no idea what you mean. Of course once the not-so-amusing banter ceases and I answer “Puerto Rican” the most unoriginal response asked approximately 99% of the time is, “Full?” Ugh.

Since I can remember I have struggled with understanding race versus ethnicity. It has nothing to do with not understanding the definition of the terms, it started out as people began to question who I was when the only acceptable answer was what I identified as my culture. I’m an American, a U.S. citizen and a Puerto Rican – I knew this and it wasn’t an issue. People wanted to know my ethnicity but questioned me because I didn’t look right, calling my race into question. As far as I knew, one was not exclusive to the other. Not everyone was taught the same thing.

I am not going to pretend it doesn’t matter on some level to most “minorities” to embrace their culture. Many times it isn’t intentional, that is to say we don’t get up in the morning and say “How can I wave my flag today?” [Okay, maybe I do sometimes.] We grow up in a home where our parents speak Spanish to us, salsa y merengue play as frequently as R&B or hip hop, and we don’t think the color of our skin is an issue until someone else brings it up.

The first time it was called to my attention I was nine-years-old and living in Biloxi, Mississippi. I was at the lunch table with the other “Air Force Brats” and one of my white classmates asked why I was “darker” than her, but clearly not black. Our black classmate answered, “It’s all that chocolate milk she drinks.” I laugh thinking about it now because it was silly and I had the most perplexed expression when I went home incredibly pensive. That night my father taught me the meaning of ignorance. Fast forward. In junior high school, while learning about the Civil Right Movement and particularly Rosa Parks, I asked the teacher where I would have had to sit in the bus. And because God has always used humor to teach me, a classmate answered, “In the middle.” People laughed of course, but the teacher (who I am pretty sure giggled as well) told me I would most likely have to sit in the rear of the bus. It was then that I learned about blacks with very light complexions passing for white, which only fueled my curiosity.

For many years, I struggled with being so light-skinned. I have been called white, blanca nieve, high yellow, and more. I wanted to meet more Latinos like my mother or aunt who were born with blonde hair and green eyes. It happened briefly in college with my first boyfriend and new friends. It was a wonderful little clique of Boricuas, both Puerto Rican and Nuyorican. It was a little creepy that people thought my boyfriend and I were related – even my mother said, “He looks like he could be in our family!” I digress… I learned so much from them and I went on to be a chairperson for the Association of Black Collegiates and the president of the Organization for Latin American Students thereby making me a representative on the Multicultural Council. Something in me was stirred.

I was so happy when the world met Jennifer Lopez – and then she got a tan. Then I saw Alexis Bledel on Gilmore Girls and as her starmeter grew so did the questions about her being a Latina who spoke fluent Spanish and grew up in Argentina. I saw her get the same “Really?” face in interviews I had seen so many times. Surely people remember the silliness over LaLa Vasquez daring to boldly claim her Puerto Rican heritage and the backlash from the Black community. When it has gotten to the point where dark-skinned Latinas cannot be proud of who they are without fear of pissing someone off because they didn’t say “black” as a descriptor or people taking it as a personal dismissal, we have problems. Puerto Ricans [Latinos as a whole] are so varied because of their background and ancestry and it is utterly ridiculous that women like LaLa Vasquez and Zoë Saldaña have to know state they are “Afro-Latina” because we are in some sort of bidding war over celebrity status. People wanted LaLa Vazquez to “say it loud” and some sites even claimed Sammy Sosa, Daddy Yankee and Fat Joe refuse to be identified as “Black” but imagine if people started insisting you walk around and proudly announcing you’re “White” or “Brown.” I have green eyes, freckles and my olive complexion is on the light side – should I classify my ethnicity as “White-Latina” to satisfy the masses? [Note: According to the Census Bureau that is exactly my category, white latina.] We have become far too desperate and forcing labels, often diluting the importance and making weak connections or ones that don’t exist.

Has it come to a point where the intricately beautiful layers of our race and ethnicities have become far too complex for any one classification? Perhaps for some, yes. I found it is much more about other people projecting their own stereotypes and insecurities upon others. I have come to the conclusion far too many people are still ignorant to world around them and silliness like the drama brought about by LaLa (Vazquez) Anthony’s pride will only serve to teach a few more starving minds.
Nearly all ethnicities and races in this country have felt the sting of racism and prejudice dating back to the first settlers and if there are any answers, they aren’t easy ones. The beauty of our world is everyone is entitled to their own opinion whether we like it or not, though we often forget that fact. It has taken us hundreds of years to make this mess and I have a feeling it will take more than few hundred more to clean it up.
~.~

*The excerpt image is of Ahmad and I who through a series of very fortunate events found out we are related. Distantly but family is family! We are both Puerto Rican and both have Irizarry blood yet we look very different. He is a proud ’afrocalirican, b-boy nerd’ and I, um … I have freckles!