Essay on Poetry

Michelle Romero
English 1B, Fall Qtr. 2006
Poetry Essay

"We Are"


We who live in America live in a black and white world, intolerant of diversity and unaware of the struggles encumbering many races. For a country so diverse that it is referred to as a melting pot, there are many issues among its populace that have yet to just melt away. Tato LaViera’s poem “boricua” is a representative work which uses language, form, and structure to expose the marginalized identity of the Puerto Rican race in a predominantly white society, and to reaffirm themes of equality and brotherhood.

Language is the strongest literary element used to reveal some of the underlying themes in “boricua.” For example, the term “boricua” used in this poem, is a Puerto Rican word referring to the Indian or native name of the island of Puerto Rico. This word is also used today among proud Puerto Ricans who call themselves and each other “boricua” to identify with their cultural roots. One passage describing the Puerto Rican culture begins on line 41: “We offer what your love has taught us, and what you’re worth” (LaViera 905). Notice that the word “your” is used to refer to the native island of Puerto Rico. Therefore, from a Puerto Rican perspective, we can conclude, the people idolize the native, original roots of its culture and look to it for answers. These key words indicate a strong cultural identity which is tied to its roots.

In addition, the speaker says they offer the love the island has taught them. This is a good sign that the island or culture was accepting and loving toward its people, whereas now, the people do not feel so welcome in their present situation. Obviously, they have learned much from their past and wish to influence their present state in a positive way, feeling as though they have something to contribute. In fact, lines 30-32 state: “Color is generally color blind with us, that’s our contribution” (905). This feeling or declaration is a reaffirmation of who they are as a people. It is a declaration which states “We Are” too; we are America.

Further evidence of the Puerto Ricans’ view regarding their own identity can be found in comparing the form and structure used in “boricua” with another of LaViera’s poems, “AmerRican.” “AmerRican” as it is expressed in its title, is the combining of American and Puerto Rican cultures. In this poem, very similar themes regarding identity are expressed. Particularly, in one passage the speaker proclaims: “We gave birth to a new generation, AmerRican salutes all folklores, european, indian, black, spanish, and anything else comparable” (LaViera 812). Notice I have left the grammar of the passage untouched to reflect how it is used in its original text. Each culture in this passage is spelled with a lower case letter; no one group is given the privilege of being identified with an upper case letter.

This style is not unusual for LaViera as he also chooses to use this method in “boricua” when he refers to his own Puerto Rican culture as “we” with a lower case “w” and later says, “we have a lot of black & white & yellow & red people whom we befriend” (905). Clearly, the speaker is beyond the bounds of using politically correct words and grammar and gives no regard to their restrictions. This choice of form and structure clearly states that all people and their respective cultures are equal, revealing Puerto Rican sentiment regarding their identity in America.

In fact, it is also expressed when the speaker of “AmeRican” claims that they gave birth to the new generation. This is a brave and powerful statement to make. The language here is asserting that the Puerto Rican people just as equally contributed to what America is today; the people are the ones who make the country what it is and clearly, the speaker feels it is important for the audience to understand the importance of its public. For that reason, the speaker in “boricua” commands: “Say, let there be no prejudice” (905). The two poems not only give a voice to the marginalized race, but they criticize the white privilege by which American society is based and call for a change.
Looking back at “boricua” we see that the poem is introduced with a repetitious five lines: “we are a people / who love to love / who are loving / lovers who love / to love respect” (904-905). When the poem ends with the same five lines, it comes full circle, attesting to its themes of equality and brotherhood. The term love is repeated several times throughout the text in a context of brotherly or friendly love, so by beginning and ending the poem with the same five lines, the reader is taken on a literary journey to discover the full circle of love. On a deeper level, this idea of a circle of love points to the fact that it takes all people to achieve the goal of equality and brotherhood, and that by giving love we are teaching love, therefore, love will spread. In theory, it is the cure for the American disease of prejudice and bigotry. Furthermore, the repetition of these lines achieves a tone which renders a sense of reaffirmation in the culture’s declaration to tell its audience who they are.

LaViera has clear views and concerns regarding the marginal status of Puerto Ricans and all races for that matter, living in America. His poems represent a view that all cultures should be treated equally and respected for their contributions. The poems use of language, form, and structure also reveal that in order to achieve the goal of equality and brotherhood, in order to complete the circle, it will take everyone to stand up and say, “Let there be no prejudice.”

Works Cited

LaViera, Tato. “boricua.” Access Literature: an introduction to fiction, poetry,
and drama. Ed. Barnard, Barbara and David F. Winn. Massachucetts: Thompson Wadsworth, 2006. 904-905.

LaViera, Tato. “AmerRican.” Access Literature: an introduction to fiction, poetry, and drama. Ed. Barnard, Barbara and David F. Winn. Massachucetts: Thompson Wadsworth, 2006. 812-814.


Afterthoughts:
For the purpose of this paper, I chose to be briefer and solid in my interpretation of this poem, however, it would be interesting to do more research on how the historical context of the two poems I’ve written about relates to their meanings. For example, in 1985 the president at the time announced before the close of his term that all immigrants who met certain criteria would be granted citizenship. One connection here is that both poems I’ve discussed deal with the issue of a culture immigrating and incorporating itself in to American society, but more importantly, both poems were also published in the year 1985. Could the powerful reaffirmations of identity revealed in these poems also be representative of an overall feeling of the time that finally, after much struggle, these immigrants (Puerto Rican included) were now too American, equal in status?
Just a thought…