Proudly Puerto Rican: Narratives from Three Boris Raised in the USA

The Real Brooklyn Baby: Growing up Puerto Rican in Brooklyn

By: Jazzi Almestica

I loved being able to grow up in New York City, everyone tells me how lucky I was to be born in the greatest city. What they don't know is the struggles of having to grow up in a city that wants your people gone.

I grew up knowing I was Puerto Rican, I was raised on bachata, reggaeton, and that good 90s Puerto Rican house music. I was two and refused to eat my dinner unless my mom would play Gasolina by Daddy Yankee. My family never kept my culture hidden from me, they just raised me as a no-sabo kid (trust I know Spanish now). I was born and raised in Williamsburg, the area was packed with Puerto Ricans. In the 1950s when Puerto Ricans were leaving the island to come to the United States a lot of them settled in Williamsburg because it was so easy to get factory jobs here. The Domino Sugar Factory was always hiring, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard could always need a few extra hands. Williamsburg was built off the blood, sweat, and tears of Puerto Ricans, and rightfully so Williamsburg became known as Avenue of Puerto Rico, streets were renamed after Puerto Rican men who fought in wars, Puerto Ricans who truly made a difference in what seems to be a tiny community.

My life started changing when I got into middle school, my community was slowly changing. I went to a predominantly black and Hispanic middle school yet the majority of the teachers were white. They had this ideology that they needed to get us “off the streets” and into books. Certain parts of everyone's culture were banned in that school. No durags, they are unprofessional, bamboo earrings are a distraction and don't say any street lingo in school because jobs and colleges would never take us if we spoke like that. They loved to have us read books with slurs about our community but would never allow us to say them because they're “too offensive” Mind you this is a school of BIPOC being taught by a white lady. It wasn't just in my school but in my neighborhood as well. A lot of the people I grew up with that I considered family started to move because of rent increases or they passed on. With every new vacant apartment came a new community, gentrification was in full swing in my hood. 

The Puerto Rican bakery my mom would get bread from was gone, they turned it into a healthy vegan market until that shut down and it became a Taco Bell. My hairdresser had to move her shop into a different part of the area, they turned her into a Popeyes. They had the liquor store that was around for decades minimize and go around the corner just to turn it into a paint and sip. 

I was slowly losing my culture, now you might think it sounds crazy that I'm calling a liquor store my culture but it was, these were people who came straight from the island for a new life and they succeeded, just to have it get snatched away from them because of greed. It was worse when they tried to remove the name Avenue of Puerto Rico. No one knew it was happening until one day someone recorded a construction team removing the street signs. I’ve never seen my community so angry, with calls to the mayor's office, viejitos arguing with workers, communities praying. After 3 hours the teams were told to put the signs back up, even if we got our signs back why were they so quick to erase us? Williamsburg wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my people. You guys wouldn't be able to go to L Train Vintage or have silly little Raves at Trans Pecos. You scream and cry to protect minorities yet you are erasing me, you're erasing the hard work my grandparents put in to make sure their grandchildren could have the best lives they could in New York City. 

I have never and will never be ashamed of being a Puerto Rican in New York City. I have such a rich culture rooted in my ancestors who fought to make sure the Taino traditions would stay alive, my grandparents who made sure that their children's and grandchildren's lives would be changed for the better, my parents struggled just to make sure I and my sister could achieve our dreams. New York isn't the only one trying to erase my roots, the United States is as well. Puerto Rico didn't ask to be a part of the United States, we were forced. Puerto Rico is not for sale, Puerto Rico is not a trash island, and Puerto Rico should have never been your property. My people, my culture, and my identity were not made to please you. 

I will forever make sure that my culture will never diminish, I will make a pernil for the holidays, I'll blast my music loud, I'll dance bachata to any Romeo Santos song, and I'll keep talking in Spanish. I will keep practicing bruejia, I'll connect closer to my ancestors and spirit guides, I will continue to fight against the mistreatment of my island and make sure that one day in this lifetime Puerto Rico will become independent again. If that offends you, I don't care, my people weren't created to please you.

The Way Out: Confessions of a Half First-Gen American

By: Jai LePrince

I have always had to fight for my connection to the island, mostly because I was my mom’s ticket off it. My mom never liked to talk about her past. I used to not care enough to ask. As I grew up, I quickly realized there was no hiding from the past. Until I was about 4, it was just me and her. We lived in a small trailer, she had a minimum-wage job, and we made do. Then, she made the choice to move us to Alabama from California to be with my dad. I don’t remember much from meeting his side of the family for the first time, but my entire life they made sure I remembered that I was mixed. They didn’t like the music my and mom listened to. They didn’t like the food she cooked. They even called my skin yellow until I finally dared to speak up. 

School was no better. I went to an all-Black elementary school and soon transitioned to a primarily-white middle school. High school significantly was more diverse, but one thing remained true in every facet of my life: I felt like a stranger. I wasn’t Black enough. I wasn’t Latin enough. I wasn’t white enough. So, where was I supposed to fit in? A queer, Afro-Latino who didn’t know a lick of Spanish. In my Junior year of High school, I made the decision to look inward instead.

Growing up, I was not particularly religious. I was surrounded by Southern Christians who spewed hate-laced prayers, and Catholics who thought my “choice” was damning me for all of eternity.  Still, I couldn’t help but feel this call from something beyond myself. This protective energy surrounded every inch of my life. There were things that I simply just could not find an explanation for.

That’s when I started doing research into brujería. As I started to hone my craft and learn about the stories of my ancestors, I felt this sense of warmth unlike any other I have been able to find in the material world. Now, almost 4 years into my practice, I feel more connected to the island than ever. I can feel the heartbeat of the Taínos and the Slaves, who were both beaten down by the efforts of Europeans, beating along with me, fighting for me to continue in this world. I am not a stranger to this land, or the enchanted soils of Puerto Rico. By the hands of fate herself, I am here. And, I am going to keep taking up space for as long as I breathe, and long after. 

Philly Born Rican: The First to Not Speak Spanish

By: Celeste Nieves

I have always loved my culture, yet I have always felt like my culture did not love me back. I had been the first grandchild not to be born on the island, the first to be a no-sabo, and the first to be called a gringa. My mom had her reasons for raising me as a no-sabo, which I now understand as I have grown older. She was born on the island, her first language was Spanish, and she struggled. My mom struggled through school even though she had begun school in Philadelphia, she struggled through racist comments from educators because her English was not “good enough” and from that point on she decided she did not want that life for me. 

I am very privileged because of this but I would be lying if I said I was happy with this result. It was really hard and continues to be hard growing up being the outsider in your family. I grew up eating all the same foods, listening to all the same music, understanding every conversation yet not being able to carry on my own conversation. I think back on my life and I have never even had a full conversation with my grandparents, who I love so deeply. 

I remember the first time going to the island and falling in love, I think I was six maybe seven. I stood at my grandparent's house which they had just moved back to the island at this time. I remember being so happy to be there to see the beauty of Puerto Rico for the first time yet even at a young age I still felt like an outsider. We would visit more distant family and I would sit silently on the couch not engaging and when someone tried to engage with me, I would tell my mom what to say back and that cycle has continued my whole life. 

Even though I am considered to be a no-sabo kid, I do understand Spanish almost perfectly. I grew up around both English and Spanish and, tried my best to reply when I could in Spanish. It has been difficult for me to feel connected to my culture and I know I am not the only one that is going through this. But even through all of my struggles in my culture, I am so beyond proud to be Boricua. I hope I can continue to learn and grow within my cultural identity because it can be such a beautiful culture that I hope to pass down one day and I know in my heart that I will.

Photographer: Diana Victoria

Directors: Jazzi Almestica and Celeste Nieves

PA: Jai LePrince & Mickayla Davis

Talent: Deliana Valentin

Breaking Down Elon Musk's Cash Giveaways and Their Impact on the Election

The Money, Influence, and Legal Landscape Regarding Musk's Campaign Contributions

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), recently made headlines for more than his political endorsement for Trump. Over the last month, campaign rallies featured cash giveaways sponsored by Musk. His decision to distribute money sparked debates about election ethics, with many questioning whether these "gifts" crossed the line into vote manipulation or even election fraud. When Musk's cash handouts were challenged in court, the outcome established a new standard for how billionaires can legally participate in elections.

In the later stages of the campaign, Musk attended rallies, including major Trump events, and distributed a big check to one lucky attendee. Musk described the giveaways as a way to thank his fans and newly registered voters. However, critics questioned the timing and location of the events in swing states, pointing out that they occurred just as candidates made their final pushes to voters. Not surprisingly, Musk's actions drew media attention and sparked discussion. He wasn't just giving out these million-dollar checks though. 

On October 6, 2024, Elon tweeted, “Sign our petition to support the Constitution! Also earn $47 for every person you refer to sign the petition if they’re in a swing state. Goal is to get 1M voters in swing states to show support for free speech & right to bear arms.” Voters in Pennsylvania got $100. Many people wondered whether this was a publicity stunt or if it could influence voting. Controversy quickly erupted, with critics accusing Musk of indirect "vote-buying"—an illegal practice that disrupts the democratic process.

As outrage grew, Philadelphia’s District Attorney sued and the case went to court, where Musk and his team defended the giveaways. The DA contended that handing out money at rallies could easily sway people's voting decisions, pushing them toward Musk's preferred candidates. They claimed that Musk's actions, whether intentional or not, constituted indirect vote-buying, with the potential to tip the election's balance. They also characterized the giveaways as a lottery, which is illegal unless supervised by the state.

Musk's legal team argued that these handouts were not a lottery (meaning they picked the winners beforehand) and were within his right to free expression, and did not include a direct request for votes. According to them, the money was given without any conditions—no one had to support a specific candidate or even show proof of voting. The court agreed with Musk, stating that while the timing was suspicious, it did not meet the strict legal definitions of vote-buying or election fraud, nor was it a lottery.

The decision emphasized a murky area in election law, namely what constitutes "electioneering." While there are tight restrictions on coordinated political expenditures and financial incentives for voting, the court determined that Musk's donations were allowed as private acts of generosity, rather than campaign contributions. Musk was happy with the court’s ruling, but election reform advocates, including myself, were concerned. The court’s decision opened up a potential loophole, suggesting that wealthy individuals could use their resources to shape public opinion without directly saying, “Hey, vote for my guy!” Elon Musk’s PAC (Political Action Committee) spent around 200 million dollars to help elect Trump.

The case sets a troubling precedent: monetary handouts, if skillfully structured, may skirt the vote-buying label while influencing elections. Though Musk did not face any penalties, opponents claim that his activities exposed flaws in present election laws—gaps that allow powerful persons to test the limits of political participation.

The Musk case highlights the challenges of applying election laws in a world where billionaires and celebrities have massive social media reach and resources. With Musk’s example in mind, candidates like Kamala Harris have to ask themselves if these kinds of cash giveaways can influence public opinion enough to make a difference in the results.

At the end of the day, Musk’s cash handouts at political rallies sparked questions that go beyond his own actions, raising bigger issues about the role of money in politics. While he avoided charges of election fraud, the case may lead to stricter rules on giveaways and new guidelines for influential people in U.S. politics. On the other hand, the case may further erode the already weakened legal restrictions on campaign financing.

For now, Musk’s influence stays as a reminder that in the high-stakes world of politics, the line between what’s legal and what’s ethical can be very, very thin.

Written and Photographed by Mark Bluemle

Director: Jazzi Almestica

Styling: Caroline Slafka

Talent: Mickayla Davis & Spencer Bellamy

The Rise of AI and its Consequences

Over the past few years, we have seen a surge in artificial intelligence usage across the world, particularly in the United States. There were more apps with AI filters, and AI answering programs, and the list only became larger and more concerning. Too many people seem to be “adapting” to life with AI or trying to make the most of it–I think we should refuse that. 

Before we get into the specifics of the dangers of AI, I want to establish my distaste for AI being used in artistic fields. Art is meant to be a source of expression and creativity, which is impossible to come from artificial machines trained on preexisting material. The visuals are heartless, the writing lacks emotion, and the music sounds robotic and unoriginal. Using AI to create things that real artists put a lot of time and care into is a cheap cop-out for putting in real effort. Not everyone needs to make “good” art–the point is that you spent time and energy on something, enjoyed the process, and can be proud of what you created. 

More recently, social media apps have increased AI usage, allowing things posted on them to be used to train AI models. Many artists began taking more precautions when posting, adding filters that make data stealing more difficult or impossible for AI programs to achieve. Plenty of artists outright left certain platforms like Instagram, since there seems to be no way to effectively turn off AI’s access to one’s content. 

AI being trained off of existing work means that these programs are stealing other people’s time, labor, and creativity. All the talk of AI “art” is inaccurately labeled because there is no effort going into these AI-generated images outside of someone typing in a prompt to one of the many AI programs. Most of the time, we can tell when images are AI-generated because they have an uncanny valley feel–fingers and limbs on humans tend to be of the wrong amounts, or objects blend together. Unfortunately, AI technology is progressing quickly, so it’s becoming harder to discern what’s real or fake, especially when it comes to AI-generated photography. 

AI-generated photos and videos are using people’s likenesses without their consent, which was brought up back with the Screen Actors’ Guild strikes as something in need of more regulation. Quite recently, songwriter FKA Twigs went to court over “deepfakes” of her image that were being spread across the internet in a push for government regulation for AI usage. Several other celebrities, particularly female celebrities, have spoken out against AI usage due to people using it to create explicit content with AI-generated images and videos of them. It’s bad enough when celebrities have nude images shared of them without their consent, let alone AI-generated content made completely without their participation. 

Since AI has to be trained with information provided by people, there are biases that are ingrained in AI models, specifically racial biases. AI that is used in predictive policing technology has encouraged over-policing of certain neighborhoods and areas that have historically been targeted due to larger marginalized communities (OHCHR, 2024). Healthcare and educational tools that utilize AI have also been found to have racial biases and stereotyping behaviors. 

In addition, AI is terrible for the environment, as it uses incredibly large amounts of energy for what many perceive to be small tasks. The World Economic Forum found that “generative AI systems might already use around 33 times more energy to complete a task than task-specific software would.” This is more geared towards AI use in search engines, such as Google’s newer AI Overview feature. The World Economic Forum also estimated that training certain AI models use the equivalent of a year’s worth of energy consumption for 130 homes. Data processing centers for AI technology are using up massive amounts of water, too. In an article for Futurism, author Noor Al-Sibai cites, “the researchers [from University of California Riverside and the University of Texas Arlington] found that just in training GPT-3 alone, Microsoft, which is partnered with OpenAI, consumed a whopping 185,000 gallons of water — which is, per their calculations, equivalent to the amount of water needed to cool a nuclear reactor” (2023). AI is quickly becoming a major environmental concern with little work towards preventing its damage.

Despite all of the dangers of AI and its usage, the biggest problem seems to me that it’s being used incorrectly. AI does not need to be a part of every career field and technology–I think it should stay out of a lot of them. However, there are very practical uses for AI within the medical and technological fields. In tech, AI is able to cut down on tedious and repetitive tasks for people, providing more efficient use of time for many workers (DataCamp, 2024). When it comes to medicine, AI can be used to detect diseases like cancer in previously undetectable stages, allowing for earlier preventative measures (BCRF, 2024). 

I refuse to agree with the notion that having AI so steeped in our culture is what it is, that we have to just get used to it. I will forever be of the mindset that we don’t have to accept that things are bad and won’t go away because otherwise, we will never see real change. AI has some genuine benefits in certain fields, but overall, we need to move away from using it. Large corporations will, of course, be the most difficult to change, but you can help by stopping your own use of AI programs. Stop using ChatGPT and similar programs, stop using the AI filters and photo generators, don’t rely on Google’s AI overviews (because they’re usually incorrect or lacking depth anyway), and be on the lookout for AI images to avoid spreading them.

Recognize that you’re capable of the effort to create and research without the help of an AI program and that you’re better than it. Don’t give in because it’s easier.

Written by Alec Conwell

Photography by Mark Bluemle

Styling, Movement Director: K Pereira

Talent: Will Dooley

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Sources:

AI and energy: Will AI reduce emissions or increase demand? (2024, September 10). World Economic Forum. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/07/generative-ai-energy-emissions/

Al-Sibai, Noor. ChatGPT is Consuming a Staggering Amount of Water. (2023, April 19). Futurism. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://futurism.com/the-byte/chatgpt-ai-water-consumption

BCRF. Can AI and machine learning revolutionize the mammogram? (2024, September 24). Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.bcrf.org/blog/ai-breast-cancer-detection-screening/

Racism and AI: “Bias from the past leads to bias in the future.” (2024, July 30). Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2024/07/racism-and-ai-bias-past-leads-bias-future

The Role of AI in Technology: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Industries. (2024, September 5). DataCamp. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https://www.datacamp.com/blog/ai-in-technology#