Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'que Tu Lo Sepas

2006 | 86 min. | TV14
Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'que Tu Lo Sepas! explores Rosie Perez's burning question: why are Puerto Ricans so damn proud? Her journey through Puerto Rico's history gains inspiration from the vibrant music, dancing and energy of the Puerto Rican Day Parade, and she uses this starting point to speak to Puerto Rican people about their identity and culture. We follow Rosie and her collaborators through New York, Miami and to Puerto Rico to document what it really means to be "Boricua."\r\n

\r\nPuerto Ricans live in the United States in a limbo-like status. They are citizens, but don't vote for President. They've traveled back and forth to the island freely for a century, but still suffer extreme prejudice and economic roadblocks. Their ancestral heritage includes Indigenous Taino, Spanish, African, Irish, Scottish and French, amongst others. Puerto Ricans were the first Latino group to migrate to the East Coast of the U.S. in large numbers.\r\n

\r\nIn her directorial debut, Rosie Perez ("Do the Right Thing," "White Men Can't Jump, Fearless") celebrates Puerto Rican pride. Alternately shocking and humorous, this documentary, which is narrated by Jimmy Smits ("The West Wing," "NYPD Blue"), puts the themes of family, language, and racism into a historical perspective. The film uncovers the complex and controversial history between Puerto Rico and the United States: Forced sterilizations and birth control testing in Puerto Rico; the imprisonment and torture of freedom fighter Pedro Albizu Campos; Pedro Pietri, the pre-eminent voice for Nuyoricans; The Young Lords, a group of activists agitating for Puerto Rican rights in New York City; and the protests against U.S. bombing of Vieques. Few Americans know about these subjects, which are not to be found in American history books. Academy Award-nominated producer Liz Garbus ("Girlhood," "The Farm: Angola, USA," "The Execution of Wanda Jean") and Emmy-nominated producer Rory Kennedy ("A Boy's Life," "Pandemic," "American Hollow") produce.

LEONA812

I am so glad that she did this documentary. I think the Puerto Rican heritage is misunderstood by Americans. Puertoricans born in the United States should do a little research on their families culture and heritage. I for one am always trying to find out as much as I can about my roots. I was born in New York City but my parents were born in Puerto Rico. I hear people talk about Puerto Ricans in general and only know about Puertoricans in NY and only the ones that commit crimes. If more of us were more educated on our culture we can educate Americans in general and teach them that alot of Puertoricans are actually hard working people.. and our families struggled to become part of the US just like Italians, Irish, Scottish and so forth.

spywich

rosie i cant thank you enough for how you represent our people . i cant love you enough for the wealth of information you have just educated so many people with.i am so proud you had the balls to speak up you have a big voice in the world and you use it .thats a good thing because girl nobody listens to us littel people anymore and we need to let them know wuts up?so how about another documentry ?.anyway im not sure if you read these things but im glad i got the oppertunity to write this comment .i have been wanting to say this forever.peac out

jeffbl5

I very much enjoyed this documentary. There is no question the Puerto Rican people have been abused and used. I was sa watching what I never knew. I know the people will stay determined and persistent to their mission. I appreciate the Puerto Rican food, dance , music, acting, poetry and people. Ms. Perez is wonderful for the culture. What a beautiful woman. Does she have a web site? All my respect.

jeffbl5

I very much enjoyed this documentary. There is no question the Puerto Rican people have been abused and used. I was watching what I never knew. I know the people will stay determined and persistent to their mission. I appreciate the Puerto Rican food, dance , music, acting, poetry and people. Ms. Perez is wonderful for the culture. What a beautiful woman. Does she have a web site? All my respect.

jhernan123

would like to see the documentary Yo soy boricua again but do not see it in your schedule. Would like to buy it if possible. It was a very educating documentary, loved it.

Kiashouse

I watched this documentary and I cried, and laughed, and cried, and smiled, and nodded my head in agreement and paced the floor with uneasiness, and then I cried again.

This is the first in depth look I've taken of the Boricua Diaspora. I went through this full range of emotions because our struggles are so similar. We are similar even the under current struggles within our own cultures like the “light skinned vs dark skinned” issues, and other socio-economic factors. I could take out the words Puerto Rican, Boricua, and Spanish and replace them with my own words and cultural identification and the story would be the same. I am African American with a Nigerian father, black American Mother, 1/2 Indian great grandmother, European blood too. My Husband is Jamaican with an Afro-Cuban grandmother and an Indian (from India)grand parent and Native Indian and Wolof ancestry. My two daughters are all of these things. The struggle is still the same.

I am a person, do not look down on me, do not assume that you know what I am capable of, and do not assume that I am not as smart as you. Do not discount my culture..... My food, my music, my might, my political clout, my way of loving, my LOUD voice, my rhythm, my dark skin, my light skin, my power.

I wish I could meet Rosie Perez and just talk to her woman to woman about the things we've experienced. I wish I could talk to all "minority groups" and bring us together to love ourselves and one another. I wish I could get the "majority" to see us through our eyes and not through the propaganda used to suppress us. I don’t know, there is just so much raw emotion here, I can’t put it all into words….

Elisac204

I am in the process of watching this documentary for about the sixth time. I LOVE IT!!! I would like to know who to purchase a copy of this??

Lilly

Rosie you are the best! I am so proud that someone has finally come up with this documentary. I have been researching online about puerto rico's history for the past year. I am 36 and found out so much about our heritage. I never knew about us being taino indian and how puerto rico was raped (literally) by spain and american governments. I want all of my family and friends to see this documentary. It is very important for us all. Thank You.

Lilly