I wear my heritage proudly, it is the essence of my being

It’s in my tanned skinned, curly hair, and all that is visible to the naked eye

It is also in my speech, and in the way the words roll off my tongue

It’s in the way she says “que dios te bendiga niña” when I ask for her bendicion

It’s in the holidays that we share immersed in comida, bebida, y familia

But it’s also the tears that are wept

For all of those that we have lost en esta vida

We are taught to be strong but yet be delicate as a flower

Who woulda thought in this small body

Would be encompassed so much power

I am no fool I’m aware of the hypocrisies

But I am here to stand tall

For all who come after me

It is the children who are our greatest possession

We must teach them the laws of life

So they don’t have regrets only lessons

Teach them that a mind without knowledge

Only leaves you weak

Armor yourself with words and history

So that you know what you speak

Education is your greatest weapon

Yet so many of us forsake it

Often fooled by the world

But I say let us embrace it!

Don’t be afraid of the power you hold

in your thoughts

It is because you can think

That threatens them the most

Know who you are because we’ve all come so far

So far from the beatings, the pains, and the scars

The scars left behind after the wounds have healed

The wounds we’d much sooner forget

Because remembering is too real

The wounds of our ancestors who were slaves, raped and more

Never let us forget it was them

That opened that door

So you see, my people, don’t just define who I am

I am a product of this world & of all those who gave a damn

So when I have a success it’s not only mine to share

It’s for those who came before me

Who took the time to care

We share a common thread woven together by the seams

It is the fabric of our ancestors and all of their dreams

For all of those who came

and left the world on our shoulders

I carry it with mucho orgullo y necessidad

 It is for them that I stand tall and I walk

Siempre para ‘lante are the words that I talk

So as I wear my heritage proudly for all to see

I will shout as loud as I can

Yo soy Boricua para tu y para mi!