Puertorricans get ahead in the Arts, Culture and Sports

[conciencia]

You got to love it:


Fact about Puerto Rican's

Quietly yet deservedly proud

By Raúl Duany
Posted June 4 2001



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Even with seven months left, 2001 could already be proclaimed "The year of Puerto Rico."

In a society stamped with the stereotyped Latino machismo, nearly half of Puerto Rico's 1.2 million registered voters elected their first woman governor and kicked off the year with the swearing-in ceremony for Gov. Sila M. Calderón.

In April Pope John Paul II beatified Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, only the second Hispanic and first Puerto Rican so honored.In music and film, Puerto Ricans were recently honored as Olga Tañón, the 1998 Queen of Calle Ocho's festival, was awarded a Grammy, and Benicio Del Toro received an Oscar for his role in Traffic.

When the Miss Universe Pageant was broadcast from the island, the world saw Miss Puerto Rico, Denise Quiñones, winning the 2001 crown.

In sport, Puerto Rican boxing heavyweight John Ruiz defeated heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, becoming the first Hispanic to win a heavyweight boxing belt. And an undefeated Félix "Tito" Trinidad crushed middleweight champ William Joppy.

It has indeed been a great year for Puerto Ricans, but it must also be noted that the success and contributions of Puerto Ricans run deep throughout this century.

In the U.S. military, more than 200,000 Puerto Ricans have fought in this nation's wars and conflicts, and four of the 39 Hispanic recipients of the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor are Puerto Rican. For many years, Puerto Rico has boasted the top two U.S. Army recruiting posts (out of the 232 worldwide), and has consistently maintained its top-ranked stats.

Major League Baseball has inducted two Puerto Ricans into its Hall of Fame: Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda. Five Puerto Ricans (Iván Rodríguez, Roberto Alomar, Benito Santiago, Sandy Alomar and Bernie Williams) have close to 25 Gold Glove awards among them. Juan González has been MVP of the American League twice, and Iván Rodríguez and Willie Hernandez once each; in the National League, Cepeda and Clemente also held the award.

In boxing, Wilfredo Benítez is the youngest fighter in boxing history to win a world title at age 17, and also the youngest boxer inducted into Boxing's Hall of Fame at 37, an honor formerly held by Michael Spinks.

In professional golf, Chi-Chi Rodríguez has won 22 Senior PGA tournaments and eight regular PGA tournaments during his ongoing 40-year career.

In tennis, Gigi Fernandez won 14 Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals.

Antonia Novello was the first woman and first Hispanic to serve as surgeon general of the United States. Aida Alvarez, in 1997, was the first Hispanic woman and first Puerto Rican to serve as administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Rita Moreno won an Oscar in 1962 for best supporting actress in West Side Story, making her the only Hispanic actress to win an Academy Award. Other well-known Puerto Rican actors included Oscar-winner José Ferrer, Chita Rivera and Raúl Juliá.

There are many other well-respected entertainers, such as four-time Grammy winner the late Tito Puente, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jimmy Smits and Grammy winner Ricky Martin.

But more importantly for us in the state of Florida, close to half a million modest Puerto Ricans are quietly giving this great state the very best they have to offer. As Puerto Ricans, we are proud of our accomplishments and pleased to be an important part of our way of life.

But just because we are people known for nicknames such as Ruiz's "The Quiet Man" doesn't mean that we should continue being a population overlooked.

[Leticia_g]

Conciencia,
Great information. I am always looking for Puerto Rican role model for the children. The fact is that sometimes when I tell someone that so so is Puerto Rican, they tell me "Oh you think everyone is Puerto Rican" If that was possible. lol

I enjoyed the article.

[conciencia]

Leticia,

I keep teaching and encouraging my people here, so I try to spread the wealth. Thank you.