Portraits of the Puerto Rican Experience - Hardcover

This book, prepared a quarter century ago, features members of the Puerto Rican community; migrants and children of migrants, to the North Eastern United States, who overcame obstacles of discrimination, poverty, and limited opportunities in order to reach positions of power and influence in the larger society. The period in which this book was produced came at the tipping point when Puerto Ricans, as a group, in the New York Metro area were beginning to turn the corner, away from being consistently marginalized, and toward a more visible and influential role in the overall life of the city.

People in this book were chosen as role models representing the breadth of activities in which Puerto Ricans were starting to move. Some, like Jose Ferrer, Herman Badillo, Joseph Monserrat, Rita Moreno; were well known in New York and nationally. Others were well known and much respected in the political, professional, business, academic and social circles in which they moved. All had already influenced the birth and direction of institutions, supportive of the Puerto Rican community such as ASPIRA; the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund; Boricua College, The Puerto Rican Forum; Hostos College, and many others.

The were pioneers, leaders, dedicated citizens. Some have passed away or moved aside from public prominence. Others continue to contribute to their respective fields, even to this day. Now, a quarter century after the moment caught on these pages, all are worthy of a long, respectful, retrospective, look at where they and their community have come, and perhaps a peek at where it is going.