Slavery in Santurce
The integrity of mi familia has rested between chaos
and solace for quite some time. We
have lived in four floor walk -ups. Where
our feet suffered the constant licks of flames
that blazed their way through
boogie down boulevards. We watch the fires as Tio
explains that slavery is not
American or European but VERY Puerto Rican. “Paula” 70%
of us were brought to
the Carribean so when they ask if you are black, you say yes. When
they try to
say you aren’t Boricua, you laugh in their face and explain that salsa mofongo
and melanin are all vital parts of Ponce. They will try to pass their ignorance
for fact and
you will carry Botanica blessed sage mixed with real nigga
sentiments until they realize
themselves to be unworthy. You will smile with
pride and by this time, have gotten a
chance to heal the 2nd and 3rd
degree burns on the pads of your toes. toes that have spent
decades. Lifetimes.
Running away from fires.