My Puerto Rican heritage has had the biggest impact on me...
Everything about the Puerto Rican culture, from the music (salsa, merengue, bomba y plena), the food (arroz con gandules, pasteles, monfongo), the my own family and the pride we share, are a huge part of my identity. Although I was not born nor raised on the island of Puerto Rico, I cherish the fact that I was not deprived of the culture. I was still brought up with the same family-oriented values that my grandparents brought with them back in 1962 when they came to the United States.
Today in Philadelphia we are celebrating the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Puertorriqueños across the city will gather out in the streets, sing, dance, and wave their flags in pride. I will be celebrating silently as I do every day, with the same passion and pride.
