Puerto Rican Identity Found in Music During Colonial Rule :: Culture Cultural Music History Essays puerto Rico

Puerto Rican Identity Found in Music During Colonial Rule Music played an important role in the history of Puerto Rico and helped shape the Puerto Rican identity. As a colonial possession, Puerto Rico was denied many rights which could have hindered its social progress, if not for its people’s ability to legitimize and become proud of their existence through less traditional ways. In America people can be proud of their history, or their economic and technological advancements as a country, or the legislative records of their elected representative. Whereas, in Puerto Rico, â€Å"the pride of each town was too have a good band† (Glasser, 34). The difference in the two countries’ priorities can be easily understood in regards to the political, economic and social freedom of their people. Americans have had power to control their lives in ways that Puerto Ricans have not. Puerto Ricans could not build their identity on declarations and constitutions or the theoretical equality between men, because they did not exist i n Puerto Rico. To compensate for their oppression â€Å"musical training and performance were valued... as much as public service† (Glasser, 35). Puerto Ricans who migrated to America in the decades following occupation found conditions which were very similar to the ones they left behind. Within Puerto Rico and through the diaspora, Puerto Rican culture and identity was kept intact because of the increased importance music assumed. The invasion of Puerto Rico by America soldiers, and the occupation which followed, opened the door for Puerto Ricans to migrate north who sought better employment and opportunity. â€Å"Music had always been extremely important to Puerto Rican life† which made it quite difficult for Puerto Ricans to leave (Waxer, October 29). In one Puerto Rican house, â€Å"music was breathed in the mourning (and) was eaten for breakfast† (Glasser, 31). A few Puerto Rican musicians enlisted in the army at the request of James Reese Europe (Glasser, 54). After the war they, and their music, migrated to America, which gave many Puerto Ricans courage to migrate as well. â€Å"Many people persisted in believing that where their music and entertainers could travel, so could they† (Glasser, 200). As migratory numbers increased, New York eventually became the â€Å"economic capital of Puerto Rico† (Glasser, 92). Music became an essential link to Puerto Rico, for the immigra nts in New York who sought â€Å"tangible proof of their continuing culture† to feel connected to their native land, (Glasser, 130).