Here's the thing, the fact is that our grandparents and parents short changed us on what it truly is to be Puerto Rican. Sitting idly by as we mask our incompetence to relate to our culture and understand our roots by claiming our status as Americans just doesn't cut it. I see people claiming to be Boricua de Pura Sepa and all they are is a boot leg Latino or Latina. On the island they are so helpful despite of their social status and they respect themselves and their homes. They are well rounded on issues that pertain to their lives and politically involved. Very few Puerto Ricans here were raised with the ethics and morals that were once held with such high regard and many of the ones that were have adapted this mainstream "wanna be thug" mentality. It's really sad to see everyone looking like clones. Girls with tight jeans, terribly combed hair and baby carriages under the impression that they are good looking and well represented women. Men...in theory, dressed like a hip hop mogul while their families lack the proper meals or life style, while in the end these guys are seen as a wasted joke. Our speaking lacks pronunciation and syllables or the use of new vocabulary and reading the sixth grade level Post Newspaper sinks society further into illiteracy. Wake up Boricuas, read a book on your culture, cultura, colonial subjects, and learn about what you really stand for. I will never know enough educated, talented and artistic Puerto Ricans. Understand that there can never be too many so please, Pa Lante, Siempre Pa Lante!

Ray Caban