Celebrating diversity has become an annual tradition among our ethnic communities despite the recent political rhetoric that places these events under public skepticism and ridicule. While our society contemplates issues such as deportation, and the necessity to build a wall around our borders to control the entrance of alien populations, the ethnic communities of Denver continue to celebrate the diversity of its residents.
In March, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade gave tribute to Irish pride. In May, the Cinco de Mayo festival in Civic Center Park acknowledged Mexican pride. The first weekend in June commemorated African-American freedom with the Juneteenth parade and festival held in Five Points.
And on June 11, the Puerto Rican community, one of the newer Hispanic ethnic groups in Colorado, held its annual festival. Yes, there is a Puerto Rican community in the Denver Metro area. Although microscopic in comparison to the more than 2 million Puerto Ricans in New York, and certainly in no way comparable in size to the Puerto Rican communities of Chicago and other cities along the eastern seaboard, the Denver Puerto Rican community, like its festival, is steadily growing each year.
This year’s festival, which took place at Denver’s City of Cuernavaca Park, paid tribute to the culture and pride of Denver’s Puerto Rican population. Merchants sold everything from hats to socks with vibrant Caribbean colors and slogans. In addition, food vendors were selling a variety of Caribbean specialties, including alcapurrias, yellow rice, and Puerto Rican beef patties.
It was a joyous atmosphere. Puerto Ricans – or Boricuas, a term affectionately used to identify fellow Puerto Ricans in respect and recognition of their indigenous Caribbean ancestry – united in unbridled pride of having a day that belonged to them. This was the one day that we could freely and without reservation, communicate with one another in whatever language we chose. And that we did, conversing in English and Spanish, with equal finesse and fluency, an advantage of being Puerto Rican in the United States.
As I walked around to check out some of the merchants and vendors, and to see if I might run into a family member or friend, the realization hit me that this was more than just a festival of pride. It was a festival of tolerance. We were not celebrating alone. The more I wandered through the park, the more I saw people of other nationalities enjoying themselves, tapping their feet to the salsa music and eating Caribbean food. As in our past celebrations, other Latino communities representing the cultures from South America, Central America and the Caribbean are always well-represented.
Given the recent political climate, it would be easy to foresee that some would question the nationalistic nature of these festivals. That is, that we, as Puerto Ricans, much like other ethnic communities in this country, hold strong to our native culture and the ancestral customs of our homeland – despite our status as U.S. citizens.
Yet, despite that many perceive these ethnic-based events as unpatriotic, these are clearly not anti-American festivals and celebrations. These are cultural homages to the beauty and uniqueness of the various ethnic groups that make up Denver. Indeed, these celebrations of cultural expression are byproducts of the liberties this country fought for. These annual celebrations, held across the country, keep us united as a community and allow us to remain proud individuals and citizens.
And yes, many non-Latinos enjoyed this year’s Puerto Rican festival. No borders were erected to keep non-Puerto Ricans from entering. Everyone was welcome to enjoy the festivities, regardless of race, color, religion, birthplace or immigration status.
It was a day to appreciate another American culture. It was a day to listen to great American music, enjoy great American food and speak whatever American language you chose. It was a beautiful festival.
Emilia Fernández Valerio (emilia01@earthlink.net) is an educator and graduate student at the University of Denver who currently works at a small library in Boulder County.
