Judith Ortiz Cofer was born in 1952, Hormigueros, Puerto Rico. For the next 15 years, Cofer and her family moved between Paterson, New Jersey and Puerto Rico, until eventually settling down in Augusta, Georgia (poetryfoundation.org). As Cofer’s “The Story of My Body” goes over Cofer’s own childhood, it could be beneficial to learn about the history of being Puerto Rican in America, specifically during the 1950s and 1960s.
After World War II, the “number of Puerto Ricans in the United States escalated from 69,967 individuals in the decade of the 1940s to 887,662 in the 1960s”(Korral). New Jersey was particularly popular for Puerto Rican immigrants. This mass immigration was mainly caused by Operation Bootstrap, Governor Luis Muñoz Marín’s plan to invigorate Puerto Rico’s economy. The main techniques used in Operation Bootstrap included industrialization and completely intertwining Puerto Rico’s economy with America’s through foreign investment and tax breaks for American companies. Through the strong connections formed between the two nations’ economies many job opportunities in America became available, leading many Puerto Ricans to emigrate (Toro).
As with most mass migrations in history, the hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans that moved to the United States were met with xenophobia and racism. Many Puerto Ricans struggled with unemployment, exclusion from education and housing, as well as experiencing violent assaults from street gangs (loc.gov). Judith Ortiz Cofer does an excellent job of illustrating the racism present in America against Puerto Ricans, but she also describes the racism present towards her in Puerto Rico due to her lighter skin. Nuyorican refers to Puerto Ricans that had mixed with North Americans, specifically New Yorkers. Much of the hate towards these Nuyoricans was spurred from Puerto Ricans’ beliefs that the worst parts of North American society and the betrayal of Puerto Rican traditions were represented by the mixed race(Verin-Shapiro).
Citations
“History of Puerto Ricans in the US – Part Four.” History of Puerto Ricans In the US – PART FOUR | Centro De Estudios Puertorriqueños, centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/education/story-us-puerto-ricans-part-four.
“In Spanish Harlem : Puerto Rican/Cuban : Immigration and Relocation in U.S. History : Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress : Library of Congress.” The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/immigration/puerto-rican-cuban/in-spanish-harlem/.
“Judith Ortiz Cofer.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/judith-ortiz-cofer.
Toro, Juan Ruiz. “Puerto Rico’s Operation Bootstrap.” Modern Latin America, library.brown.edu/create/modernlatinamerica/chapters/chapter-12-strategies-for-economic-developmen/puerto-ricos-operation-bootstrap/.
Verin-Shapiro, Penny. “Why ‘Nuyoricans’ Are given the COLD-SHOULDER by Other Puerto Ricans.” ERIC, 31 Jan. 2000, eric.ed.gov/?id=ED456178.
Looking back to the 1950’s and 1960’s we can say how shameful it is that these Puerto Rican immigrants were treated poorly do to the color of the skin. Even more shamefully we can look at our country right now and see that immigrants are still treated poorly because of their skin color. We are supposed to be the land of opportunity, yet 70 years later, he we are shaming immigrants who come for that opportunity solely because of their skin color.
As I read the post, I gained a lot about the immigration of Puerto Ricans into the United States. I learned that many Puerto Ricans immigrated to the United States into the state of New Jersey. I also learned about Operation Bootstrap which led to a huge increase in the Puerto Rican population. As I read deeper into the post, I also gained that many Puerto Ricans today still continue to face racism. This really outlines the problems within our society today. Racism is a big problem with not only Puerto Ricans but all immigrants.
This post gave me great insight on Puerto Rican immigration in the United States, especially in New York and New Jersey. I had also never heard of Operation Bootstrap, and it’s impact on the amount of Puerto RIcans who immigrated to the States. I found the economic implications that this plan had as well.
I found Cofer’s “The Story of my Body” very interesting as we got to see into what her younger life was like. I didn’t know about Operation Bootstrap until now, but I enjoyed reading a first hand account from Cofer about her living in New Jersey after this took place. I think her perspective is vital to show the racism and discrimination that she faced and how that effected the way she defined herself after.
After reading this Context post, I realized just how much I do not know about Puerto Rican history and the struggles that Puerto Ricans faced in America. I knew nothing about Operation Bootstrap, but now I know that it lead t a population increase. I am glad that read this context presentation post before I read Cofer’s writing, because now I can go into this weeks reading with more insight and information about the experience and racism many Puerto Ricans faced. This post was well written and very informative.
Reading this post, I feel better equipped to understand the background and history of Judith Ortiz Cofer and some of the problems she faced in America as well as back home in Puerto Rico. The rapid increase of Puerto Ricans in America in just two decades and Operation Bootstrap were unknown to me and hearing of the impact and planned impact on the economies is interesting. I’m curious to learn if this migration to the states had a greater impact on the United States’s economy or Puerto Rico’s economy with so many of their citizens leaving. I can’t imagine the life of a Nuyorican, experiencing racism in America but also experiencing hate back in Puerto Rico.
It is sad to hear that after a massive migration, instead of celebrating people from different places coming together, most discriminate and criticize. The most interesting thing I learned from your post was the idea of people being called Nuyorican. Even Puerto Ricans were discriminating against those who moved, suggesting that their entanglement with North Americans was a shot at their culture. This is so disappointing and it is surprising to see how much conflict a migration like this causes.
This post gives me a good description of Puerto Rican immigration in America. As an international student, I have little chance to listen to the history of other ethnic immigrations, but I really concern about how different ethnic groups interact with others in America. The post contends an authentic case that showed how Puerto Rican strengthen their economy by building more connections with the American economy and then promote more immigrating behavior. After that, Judith Ortiz Cofer’s story states xenophobia and racism faced by her own from both American and native Puerto Rican sides. All these materials made me think a lot.
I did not know that New Jersey was a state that a lot of Puerto Ricans went to when they came to America. It is very sad that people wanting a better life than the life that they have are met with extreme racism especially during the 1950s and 60s. Do you think that people who migrate to America are still feeling the extreme racism that Judith Cofer felt when she migrated to America?
Your post did an excellent job explaining the positive and negative effects of Operation Bootstrap. While it made Puerto Rico’s economy much better, many Nuyoricans have experienced racism from both people in america and Puerto Ricans. Judith Cofer’s story also helps people realize that colorism is a very serious issue even today.
After reading this post, I was informed of the Puerto Rican population in New Jersey. Immigration is very tough, It is hard to see people not have access to our country because of where they are from. This was a problem 70 years ago, and is still a problem today. Immigrants are not treated well, and a large reason for that is racism. People discriminate others for where they are from or the color of their skin. I love how much this post made me think about the immigration policies in America.
After reading that post, it made me realize how society has not changed to this date. When I immigrated to America in 2014, I was also made fun of and people were racist to me as well. However, 2014 was not the time where immigration was at its peak but, when Cofer immigrated it was its peak. Therefore I am sure it was much harder for her than it was for me. Overall, this made me think about the time me and my family moved to the U.S. and the struggles we faced during that time.
I had never heard of operation bootstrap before. I find it interesting that that is how Puerto Rico developed much of its industry. The one question that this post made me think of is why operation bootstrap caused many Puerto Ricans to migrate to the United States, especially if they were going to be met with some opposition to citizens of the states? This leads me to question how good the industry jobs were in Puerto Rico. Were the working conditions and pay not as good, or did the industrialization of Puerto Rico simply create new transportation systems to the US that previously did not exist?
I have to say it is unfortunate that Luis Munoz Marin’s plan to improve Puerto Rico’s economy worked, but created another problem for Puerto Ricans. It was surprising to me because they immigrated to New Jersey and New York, which are urban areas and I always thought that urban areas are more openminded, but Puerto Ricans experienced discrimination there. One thing that resonates with me is that they feel discriminated against in Puerto Rico as well which is frustrating because immigrants are trying to prosper, but often find themselves unwelcome anywhere.
Reading this post I feel like I learned about how the experiences that Puerto Ricans faced during immigration can be very similar to what other immigrants face even in today’s society. As someone whose parents also immigrated to America for a better life after leaving their homes to escape war. I could say my parents also faced discrimination not only for their religious background but for also struggling to understand English. It’s very sad to say that even after all those years immigrants are constantly treated different. I think there should be more programs to assist new immigrants with not only housing accommodation but also providing english classes so they’re able to have better opportunities.
Thanks so much for sharing this. I learned a lot about the history of the Porto Rican’s. It’s fascinating to see how the social change drove them to immigrate to the United States. Also, it reminds me of the wall that Trump built to stop people from coming to the country.
This post was really insightful as I never knew about Operation Bootstrap and its effects on Puerto Rican immigration. Moreover, Cofer’s experience with colorism within her own country due to her lighter skin definitely caught my attention as I relate strongly due to the colorism present within Indian culture. It is extremely disheartening to continuously see the same xenophobia and racism present 70 years ago still present in current times.
I knew that there were many immigrants came to Americabefore, but thank you telling the knowledge about Puerto Ricans since I know seldom of their stories in United States. It
‘s a truth that it’s really hard for immigrants to really live like the local people. For many years they may treated unequal, cannot get equal rights like others, and they may face more difficulties.
I knew that there were many immigrants came to Americabefore, but thank you telling the knowledge about Puerto Ricans since I know seldom of their stories in United States. It’s a truth that it’s really hard for immigrants to really live like the local people. For many years they may treated unequal, cannot get equal rights like others, and they may face more difficulties.
From this article, I learned that in the 1950s and the 1960s there was a big problem with Puerto Rican immigration in America. Puerto Ricans did not have the same rights as Americans and they were treated unfairly. It reminded me of the time when black people were enslaved many years ago. Immigrants have my respect, because it is very hard to adapt and overcome these type of obstacles.
From the article I see some things from the 1950-60’s hav changed but yet it feels like baby steps. Its awesome to see that they were down to come to the USA to makes some changes. I mean immigrants today feel very similar to the Puerto Ricans, they get treated unfairly and for the color of their skins. I mean its really crazy to think about but I’m glad that i read this article.
I really enjoyed reading the post. I learned lots of the information of Porto Rican’s. In the 1950s and the 1960s, Puerto Ricans did not have the same rights as Americans, and they were treated unfairly. They just can’t get equal rights like others and will face many difficulties that we can’t even imagine. I felt a little sorry for the Puerto Ricans at that time.
Regarding the immigration of Puerto Ricans, I learned that immigration in the 1950s and 1960s was very difficult, not only facing life problems but also being discriminated against by the locals, resulting in unfair treatment of Puerto Ricans. Racism still exists in today’s society, which is also a social fact that all of us have to admit and face.
There were a lot of things I learned from this blog post about how welcome Puerto Ricans were in this country in the 1960’s. Despite being a U.S. Territory, Puerto Ricans were treated like outsiders when immigrating to the United States. This country has a history of treating Americans like outsiders, simply off looks alone. Racism is alive and well, and it is a systemic issue that we must all fight.
The biggest thing that this blog post pops up in my mind is the racial injustice that was shown just because of the color of their skins. In my mind, this is still a problem in the world now that many are trying to change! I hope that in the future, we do not have to worry about these situations.
This idea of xenophobia and exclusion of immigrants feels like a common and repetitive theme throughout all of history, the United States included. This theme seems to still be a problem in society today with refugees and immigrants from other countries coming to the united states for logistical reasons like better job opportunities. This makes me wonder what causes the backlash for people who resist and even act violently towards “newcomers” of sorts. I think that understanding the reasoning as to why humans seem to despise new people coming into their society is key in preventing and mitigating things like racism and xenophobia in the future. It seems like the hate, distrust, and suspicion comes from fear of the people who are exhibiting these harsh and harassing actions towards immigrants. It makes me wonder if it is simply fear of new culture and change, fear of displacement by new people, the idea of job security threat, or something else.