Public Story
Puerto Rican Day Parade '11
I'm half Puerto Rican, but grew up in Washington, DC, far from a significant Puerto Rican community. To go the Puerto Rican Day Parade, despite its infamy, was a goal of mine the last few years.
The parade was more subdued than I hoped. Simply, everyone was doing their own thing. The bonds between those present felt thin and seemed shared via $1 flags and extra-large basketball jerseys and caps with the PR logo.
Yet I'm glad I went. The Island and its reborn Stateside culture, no matter how different from me, is something I yearn to touch. So even a smile from a stranger will do for now.
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