Puerto Rican Culture

Debriefing on Puerto Rican Culture: Identity, Resistance, and Diasporic Futures

Instructions:

Pick two or more of these themes and discuss them with a partner. Listen carefully to each other, then share the main ideas with the rest of the class.

Cultural Intersections

How has exploring Puerto Rican culture reshaped your understanding of how race, ethnicity, and colonial history intersect in shaping cultural identity? Can you provide specific examples from the course materials (e.g., literature, music, or film)?

Diasporic Perspectives

In what ways did the course challenge or expand your perspective on the Puerto Rican diaspora? How do migration, cultural resilience, and community-building themes manifest in the works you studied?

Creative Resistance

Puerto Rican cultural expressions often serve as forms of resistance. Which artistic or literary work from the course stood out most, and why? How does it speak to issues of identity and liberation?

Contemporary Connections

How do the historical and cultural themes we explored in the course connect to current social, political, or environmental issues affecting Puerto Rico today? What parallels or tensions do you see?

Personal Engagement

Reflect on your own relationship to the topics discussed in the course. Were there any moments that felt particularly resonant or challenging for you? How has your understanding of Puerto Rican culture influenced how you view cultural heritage and identity more broadly?