Issue date: 10/15/09 Section: News

Pam Ortega, bibliographer for Latin-American Studies, displays a book by Rosario Ferre during her presentation "Puerto Rican Realities and the Fiction of Rosario Ferre" in the Charleston-Mattoon Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union on Wednesday evening as part of Latino Heritage Month.(Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

Latino Heritage Month had an eye opening presentation last night in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union about the division in Puerto Rico and author Rosario Ferre.

Pamela Ortega, bibliographer for Foreign Language and Latin American Studies, spoke to a diverse audience about the past and present issues in Puerto Rico, and how Rosario Ferre's books are connected to the nation's issues.

"I have never understood why the island was so politically divided," Ortega said.

Puerto Rico is one of the most densely populated islands in the world. This country may have incredibly beautiful scenery, but there is a hidden division.

"I've been to Puerto Rico many times, even as recently as last year, and the presentation was very important to me," said Madelyn Adams-Stansberry, a junior communications and women's studies major. "I wish I would have known these issues while I was there. The scenery is beautiful, but there are issues harboring in the political demise."

There are political, racial, and cultural divisions in Puerto Rico. Rosario Ferre was the daughter of an important political figure in Puerto Rico, but she spoke out against his views and had some very controversial pieces published. "House on the Lagoon" was an action filled book by Ferre that also examined the racial issues in Puerto Rico.

"She is as big of a political writer as you are going to find," Ortega said.

Many of the audience members were interested to hear that Puerto Rico has had its share of controversy with the United States. In 1917, the Jones Act granted Puerto Ricans citizenship in the U.S. and required Puerto Ricans to serve in the military. However, they were unable to vote since they did not pay federal income taxes.

"Puerto Ricans are Americans who love their culture and American citizenship," Ortega said.

The audience for this presentation consisted of several students, as well as professors and some townspeople. Many of the students were present due to extra credit opportunities, but left the speech with new insight and knowledge.

"To be honest, I came tonight to receive extra credit, but I was able to expand my knowledge into the culture and political division in Puerto Rico that I didn't even know existed," Rachel Elmore, a sophomore environmental biology major, said.

Courtney Kirk, a senior foreign language major, also came to receive extra credit.
"I found this presentation very interesting and I learned a lot as well," Kirk said.

Abby Allgire can be reached at 581-7942 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.

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