Why some people don't think that Puerto Rican's have Black blood in them?

1. 59

   anancelesteposted 11 years ago

   Why some people don't think that Puerto Rican's have Black blood in them?
   
   I just watched a PBS documentary about Latinos and their African roots, and after learning about all the caribbean places and their African influence. Puerto Rico was no where to be found. Someone commented that and I quote: " Someone should explain that to Puerto Ricans, they think they are Black,they are not."I was confused. Even though all races, why no one can see it.
   
   

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   Yes they certainly do. Because of the immigration from Africa to Puerto Rico.

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      anancelesteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is what I told an African American  lady and she said that all African blood is so mixed that it does not count. Pointing out to my daughter (that looks white)," You are gonna tell me that she is Black? Please." I don't get it.

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Forgive me, some are just ignorant to the truth my friend.

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      anancelesteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I am still trying to explain this to my kids. It feels like we don't fit anywhere.

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      Levertis Steeleposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      According to histories, Africans immigrated to Peurto Rico and countless other places.

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      Marquisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Blacks want to claim everything. When you call them on this,and if you are WHITE, they want to call you racist. TODAY, Blacks are the most racist people on earth and in the U.S. They are the ones who keep racism alive.

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      anancelesteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      As long as a country keeps labeling people this will be an issue. Like when you fill out a government form asking you to check the race box.

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      qtmommyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Anan, I don't think it has as much to do with her being called black as it does with acknowledging that it's there.  You are also descended from an African slave.  Please don't be ashamed

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3. 64

   mintinfoposted 11 years ago

   Africans have been traveling to the caribbean and south America for centuries, even before slavery. It was slavery however that is responsible for the greatest racial mixture in the people today. Because most of the people have been brain washed into believing that African traits are bad they resist the association with Africa, preferring to culturally celebrate their Spanish side instead. Kudos to those Puerto Ricans who still value their African ancestry.

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      Marquisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Prove it or just hear say?

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   Levertis Steeleposted 11 years ago

   Centuries ago when men spent months traveling by sea to other continents and were there among natives, It did not take long for most of them to ignore their differences and become familiar with the women. Men did not normally take women with them when they were exploring. Unknown destinys were too dangerous for women, and women would likely have slowed the men's progress. Some of the men eventually went back to their continents, especially the ones on missions for their kings, for example, and some settled and remained. Some eventually had women of their own races shipped in. Often there were not enough in some places. Not many generation would pass before many of the descendents of these mixes begin to look more like their mothers' races again. Still, there is more mixing in some with each generation. Some show no outward signs of mixing. If the present generations know nothing about the mixing a century ago, for example, they will say whatever they were told or want to believe.
   
   It is no secret that countless numbers of people have taken DNA genetic tests and were shocked at the results. Many are skeptical about testing. Many won't test. Many are pleased with the results, even though another company's test may show differently. I doubt if there are many results that show only one ethnicity in their DNA. If we take 5 DNA tests from 5 companies, there would be differences in each. It is possible that one or two would show a mix that the others do not. Every race has some mixing whether it is detectable or not. No one knows for sure about their lineage unless they have indisputable facts from the lengths of all of their roots, unless they can dig up all of the secrets from the graves. Many men have raised babies that they died thinking were theirs, and the secrets died with the wives, if they knew. Many men have deposited babies in places that were not their homes. So, knowing the nature of people, men and women, truly, how can anyone know? 
   
   Peurto Ricans are not the only dark skinned, non-Black, people of the world who do not feel that they have Black roots. There are other races of dark people who may feel the same. There is more to life than races. Most people are missing the boat on what their focus and purpose are in this world. Too much time is spent on the wrong things.

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      mintinfoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Some would like to romantesize and gloss history over like Hollywood movies with Errol Flynn. The truth is most natives were raped and killed by european explorers. My purpose in life is to make sure that my children never forgrt their anchestry.

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      Marquisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Your purpose in life is to keep racism going.

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      IslandBitesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      "Peurto Ricans are not the only dark skinned, non-Black, people of the world who do not feel that they have Black roots. " That's a misconception. First of all, not all Puerto Ricans are dark skinned.

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      qtmommyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The fact is the Spanish and Natives of Puerto Rico had no problem mixing with the Africans. They didn't have the same one drop rule as they did in the U.S. Having African blood is nothing to be ashamed of.

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   Express10posted 11 years ago

   It would be a very liberating thing if everyone can just get over themselves and all of the nonsense in this regard. All any human unsure of their race has to do is look at the origins of human life...Africa. If you're into the psychology of it all, I suggest starting with reading the article by Harvard staff writer Steve Bradt entitled 'One-drop rule' persists and following the link to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology from there.

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      anancelesteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I completely agree. But for some reason,some people wants to sweep that fact under the rug. Even "educated people" try to dismiss the obvious.Is sad that in 2013 such debates take place.

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      Marquisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is because Black Afrocentrics will not shut up about it.

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      Express10posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      A small number, yes Maquis. But have you applied for a home or business loan lately or filled out a form for jury duty or applied for a job? It seems everywhere you turn, "others" want to put you into a box. I leave them blank.

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   Justsilvieposted 11 years ago

   All the Puerto Ricans I have ever met just considered themselves Puerto Ricans. I was in awe that they seemed to see no color lines and wished whatever it was would spread like wildfire.  Many Americans seem to have the need to categorize all people by color. Why?

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      anancelesteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      When I lived in PR, this was never an issue. When I moved to the continental US, all of the sudden I had 5 different labels that according to others, Puerto Ricans fall into. At the same time not fitting anywhere. Specially here in CA.

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      Marquisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yea right.

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      qtmommyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      But that's when you apply U.S. racial categories with how people from other places see themselves.

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   Ozmar Evansposted 11 years ago

   If our ancestors have intermarried with so many other races, our blood is all mixed. We should be content with what we have and call ourselves Puerto Ricans, black, white or other; it really depends on how we feel about it.

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      anancelesteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Amen.

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   IslandBitesposted 10 years ago

   I was trying to answer this statement: "Peurto Ricans are not the only dark skinned, non-Black, people of the world who do not feel that they have Black roots. "
   
   That's a misconception. First of all, not all Puerto Ricans are dark skinned.
   There are incredible dark skinned and incredible pale skinned, and everything in between, and we are proud of that.
   Some people do not want to accept the obvious, and there is still racism (as there is everywhere), but as a culture, we are very proud of our african heritage. In fact, we celebrate our african heritage and is present in our language, our food, our music, our dances and our culture in general.

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      manatita44posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with Island Bites totally. The bit in your question about 'black blood' is, well ... I know what you mean but their blood is not black. Just the way you express this, I guess.

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      Cirilogyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      This is not absolutely correct, there are some Puerto Ricans mainly in the older generations who are prejudice against blacks, that is why there is so much denial in the culture, and don't know of any Puerto Ricans who celebrate African culture.

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      IslandBitesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Cirilogy: Read again.
      Btw, if you dont know any Puerto Rican who celebrate African culture, you know nothing about PR or you're an acomplejao. (Vejigantes, Bomba, Food, words, etc etc.)

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   Darlinda McGowanposted 10 years ago

   If you're not so full of yourself why don't you people go get your children  and yourself tested to see how much African blood is within all of you!! Then come back and post it!!  But you're not because you don't want to face the truth!!

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      qtmommyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I know that's right. I read where one young lady said she knows she doesn't have black ancestry because she has natural red hair and light eyes lol.  There's no way anyone is pure on the small island of Puerto Rico. Nothing is wrong with black ancest

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      Express10posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Amen Darlinda!

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    Kat-martinposted 8 years ago

    Why does it even matter? It drives me nuts that many people are more concerned with skin color than character. I don't understand how there are so many races, but life DID begin in Africa.

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    ngurecoposted 8 years ago

    Skin pigmentation is all about the geographic distribution of UV radiation of where your ancestors have been living.  Major changes in skin pigmentation may happen in as little as 2500 years after a change of ones geographic location.  People living in areas that receive higher amounts of UVR, generally located closer to the equator, will tend to be darker-skinned.  People living in areas closer to the poles with lower intensity of UVR will tend to be lighter-skinned.  All humans are the same just like all reptiles are reptiles but degree of activeness may vary depending on the climate and seasons.

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