Ashton D.

Batey
Exploring Culture Essay
CIS110-070
Meredith Garrison

The culture of Puerto Rico consists of various qualities. In addition, the factors that
make up the culture of Puerto Rico consist of, cultural variety, family unity, religion, traditions,
and values. Puerto Ricans can be opposed to Americans in order to make contrasts and
differentiate the culture. In conclusion, Puerto Ricans are a growing unique culture that other
cultures do not know of.

From races of African, Italian, French, and German to Lebanese and Chinese, Puerto
Rico consists of multicultural and unique qualities. Nevertheless, some people are unaware of
the unique culture. Some individuals see Puerto Rico as inferior or undeveloped; however,
Puerto Rico has complex and multi-diverse influenced culture, traditions, and values. In
addition, Puerto Rico consists of Beautiful Mountainous Island with tropical weather. A
group of miscellaneous colors dont make up a painting. A group of miscellaneous components
dont make a meal, but together they can make a casserole, or something else, like a clock.
Puerto Rico has a combination of elements . . . and it is the result of all those influences
(Commonwealth party leader, Morris 69). Factors that differentiate Puerto Rico from other
countries are various. I would definitely start smooth, like something about the food. The
food its very different, how the places are how they are very different. Geographically, from
the states. The mountains, the rivers, the oceans. I would also go back to religious. For me the
most important value is being religious. I would go back to the teachings of the Bible. Simple

Gospels, simple songs, you know simple stuff. (A. Batey, H. Aponte, personal
communication, October 17 2014).

In the past, Americans once saw the island of Puerto Rico as an inferior and
undeveloped place of habitat for the humans who occupied the island. Americans also
criticized the people of Puerto Rico to be undeveloped and inferior. In the 1900s through
1930s, America granted Puerto Rico U.S. citizenship. From that time, American reporters and
soldiers documented and publicized reports of the Puerto Rican people. The reports consisted
of graphical articles that showed the American society Puerto Rican people, in fact, could not
abide by self-governance. Nevertheless, as American people visited the island of Puerto Rico,
they witnessed the vast geographical beauty of the country. The visualization of Puerto Rico
gave an exotic, different, unique and tropical perception in the minds of the American people.
The above mentioned abide the factors in the foundation of the perception Americans have for
the Puerto Rican population throughout the world today.
Puerto Rican culture consists of uniqueness and variety. Conducting a resent interview
in association with the Puerto Rican culture consisted of the following:
What are geographical differences that affect your experiences here in America?

Here in America, since I live in Lexington KY its a very flat place. PR since its an island its
100 by 35 miles. Everywhere you go you will see mountains. But here in KY you have to go at
least a couple miles out to the mountains. And coming from a place where everywhere is a
mountain river and ocean every day. Coming here in Kentucky not seeing the ocean at all is
very different since Kentucky is land locked. Its hitting me a lot. Like, before in Puerto Rico if
you have a stressed day, you go out to the beach you go feel the sand warm water for a day and
it will calm you. Here in Kentucky you have to find other ways. Because it is no ocean for
miles.

What would you say is another way that can relieve you of your stress? Or another escape
that you have, as opposed to going to the beach and going to feel the sand?

Well today I got a bad grade on my test, and said I have to let this go. So I sat down and put
some music on from back home. And I feel the music, like the maracas, Puerto Rican guitar.
And I like Christmas.

(Agreeing statement) So basically, when you are stressed and you want an escape, you can
just refer back to your culture. (A. Batey, H. Aponte, personal communication, October 17
2014).
Relating back to the interview, the interviewee, Hector Aponte gave reference to his
culture. In the interview Aponte stated that when going through psychological distress he refers
back to his culture in the form of music. What Aponte stated consists of a personal example of
how he dealt with stress form a cultural aspect.
The Culture in Puerto Rico consists different from other cultures, for example America.
American culture and Puerto Rican culture have many contrasts. As opposed to Puerto Rico,
American culture primarily consists of values such as individualism and self-success, rather
than family unity. The ideal cultural values of Puerto Rico consist of unity. For example,
Americans get more support from their peers rather than their family. More personal matters
are addressed with their Inner Circle and same-aged peers. The Puerto Rican culture,
however, has a more united lifestyle as opposed to Americans. Unity amplifies, virtually,
everything about the Puerto Rican culture. Communication and family care are highly valued
and practiced significantly in the Puerto Rican Culture. A Puerto Rican family will not send
their mentally ill grandmother to the nursing home, for family members will care for her until
the end. Each person, whether, uncle, brother, sister, cousin, or father, has a significant role in

the support and development of each person in the family. Different roles have responsibility
influencing the assigned person within their family. Usually, three generations within one
family typically live in the same house and care for each other. Family loyalty, valued higher
than individual achievement. In opposition, American and Puerto Rican culture can conflict in
different ways. For example, Apontes experiences with American Servers at a restaurant. Has
a person or group of people treated you a certain way as a result of your culture?
Its funny you ask because my parents were here last weekend for family weekend. We went to
a restaurant and the server comes up and he is really nice, but once he hears us speaking
Spanish, everything changed. His service downgraded. It has happened before, In France we
spoke Spanish and they knew we were from the Caribbean and they treated us different.
Because believe it or not there are still people that have prejudice with different cultures. They
dont understand.
Although individual achievement consists of values within the Puerto Rican culture,
family loyalty consists of a greater value due to the necessities within culture. An individual
eighteen and older will stay within parental guardian until married. Typically seen as over
sheltering in the American culture, the unified ideal values of Puerto Rico are significant in the
upbringing and nourishment of each member of the family. In reference to the interview,
Hector has insight of the unified culture:

Well, my parents brought me up to be independent; I depend on my family because they are

who I love. They brought me up to be able to take care of myself. And now that I am here at
Kentucky by myself I can do things like laundry or cleaning my room, I can do the simple
things because my parents brought me up like that.
(Aside) Independence, a cultural value.
What makes you prideful within your culture.

Growing up in Puerto Rico is very special to me, now that I live in the United States. I
see how different it is, because In Puerto Rico the families are, I think more united in the
United States its more like by itself. Puerto Rico its very united and its not like America. In
Puerto Rico the whole family is a nucleus. Its not like America, like how the father is the top
authority, then the mom, then the kids. In Puerto Rico everyone is one.

So you think its more united as a culture?

yea its more united. Its less people. Its more identity. (A. Batey, H. Aponte, personal
communication, October 17 2014).

Aponte gives emphasis on his personal experiences within his culture. Aponte implicates that
unity does not show as a valued in America as in his country. In addition, the values of unity he
learned in his childhood helped develop independence within him.
Traditions in Puerto Rico are very important to the up bringing of an individual. It teaches
cultural values and can be fun for the individual.

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In the Image above, the family as a whole embraces the hurt individual. The
picture resembles Unity. (Puerto Rican Family, October 17, 2014,
http://afscmelocal1363.org/wp-content/uploads/130201-pr-acu.jpg).
My favorite tradition, is called, La Fiestas de La Calle Sebastian. Thats an annual party that
is held in Puerto Rico in January its on La Calle De Sebastian Street in Old San Juan the
capitol. And that just fills up with people and they have they sell art, like old Puerto Rico stuff.
Carvings of woods, of ceramics, Puerto Ricos rums and alcohols. People just gather up and
celebrate with music. After Christmas we have festivities.

The picture above represents the La Fiestas de La Calle San Sebastian.

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(La Fiestas de La Calle San Sebastian, October 17, 2014,

http://www.metro.pr/blogs/san-se-jo/pGXmdm!qjBiR1l84Vn9Q/sanseadvil.jpg)
The La Fiestas de la Calle can express one of Apontes favorite traditions. The festival, held in
Old San, was first a local fundraiser. However, it transformed into a four day even in which
people from all over the world come to visit.
(Agreeing tone) Significant cultural value. All right, what values do you have as a result of
your culture that are different than American cultures?

The most important thing is God.

God?

The most important thing in my life is God.

(Helpful statement) Religion.

My basic priorities are God, my family, my studies. Here in America I see that the religion
views are not valued as much. Back home my parents brought me up to. Its not only me in

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Puerto Rico. Ninety five percent of the population practice catholic values. That is how I was
brought up. (A. Batey, H. Aponte, personal communication, October 17 2014).

Aponte states that God consists of his basic priorities, which inheres traditional values in his
country. The majority of Puerto Rico consist Roman Catholic religion, as like Aponte. Religion
consists very important practices in Puerto Rico. Aponte also states that in America, religious
values do not consist of the same quantity as in his country. Religion was an ideal value
Apontes parents held to him. Apontes parents holding the ideal value of religion resulted
being a part of his personal values. Artifacts of porcelain, wood, and other organic material are
made as symbols of Christ. Religious artifacts are significant; for they remind the Puerto Rican
culture what important things and what values they are held by. What values do you have
today, that you didnt have in the past, as a result from your experiences within your
generation? Well I learned, first of all, to value myself. Because if someone uses drugs and is
with many women with one time, they do not have value. Because you have to respect yourself
you know? If you have to respect someone else, you first have to respect yourself. You have to
love yourself. Thats what I learned. I also learned to respect my parents and love them. And
always, what mom says is right. They always say mom is right. But that is really right. Your

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mother is always right. Recent values Aponte acquired from his parents helped him grow
within personal peer pressuring experiences.

Alright, if you were to educate of the values of PR what would you tell your audience?

I would definitely start smooth, like something about the food. The food its very different,
how the places are how they are very different. Geographically from the states. The mountains,
the rivers, the oceans. I would also go back to religious. For me the most important value is
being religious. I would go back to the teachings of the Bible. Simple Gospels, simple songs,
you know simple stuff. (A. Batey, H. Aponte, personal communication, October 17 2014).

Every cultural aspect within the Puerto Rican country can mold one into a unified and caring
individual. Some individuals see Puerto Rico as inferior or undeveloped; however, the island
has complex and multi-diverse influenced culture, traditions, and values. In the past,
Americans once saw the island of Puerto Rico as an inferior and undeveloped place of habitat
for the humans in which it occupied. Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States

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since nineteen seventeen. Puerto Rican culture consists of uniqueness and of variety. Many
ethnicities occupy the Puerto Rican population, resulting in a diverse set of qualities within the
culture. The Culture in Puerto Rico differentiates from other cultures, for example America.
Other cultures may be different, but Puerto Ricos society is vastly unified. Traditions in
Puerto Rico are very important to the up bringing of an individual. It teaches cultural values
and can be fun for the individual. These are all factors shaping the still forming culture of
Puerto Rican People. Never Judge a book by its cover, for you will not know the content until
you read it.

References:

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Rivera, M. (n.d.). Culture. Retrieved October 17, 2014, from

http://www.topuertorico.org/culture/
Morris, N. (1995). Puerto Rico : Culture, politics, and identity.
Wesport:Westport, Conn. : Praeger, 1995.
Family Structure. (2005, January 1). Retrieved October 17, 2014, from
http://www.ldldproject.net/cultures/puertorico/differences/family.
html
(A. Batey, H. Aponte, personal communication, October 17 2014).

Puerto Rican Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2014, from

http://www.childrenschp.com/display/displayFile.asp?docid=45322&filena
me=/Groups/CCHP/Puerto_Rican.pdf,r.
http://www.worldculture.com/gestures.html ,
http://www.smiley.cy.net/bdecie/index
,http://www.travlang.com/languages F .

American Perceptions, Puerto Rican Realities. (n.d.). Retrieved October

17, 2014, from
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/puertorico/bras11.html