Can anyone make you look bad? Peers that behave poorly...

The Puerto Rican Black Eye
by Don Jíbaro Orlando
The Black Eye Syndrome is simple. Let's say you have an uncle who's in jail for burglary, that's a "black eye" to the family. You have a sister who wears red and works the street corners... that's a "black eye" to the family. If any of the above is caught on TV Radio or Newspapers... that's a BIG "black eye" to the family and IF they're on Facebook or Twitter, that's a HUGE "black eye".

Whenever someone in a community does something wrong or illegal, it reflects on the rest of the community. Furthermore, whenever a Puerto Rican does something wrong, the stereotype will impute the blame on the rest of the Puerto Ricans. The Apostle Paul said it plainly:

"live in such a way that no one blames the rest of us nor finds fault with our work.” — 2 Corinthians 6:3

We don't want to be blamed for what others Boricuas do !!! We all make mistakes, but the black eye comes by a one rogue Rican leaving the community's harmony, because he wants to establish one's own socio-political agenda at any cost, even betraying his own be it family and or friends.

These bad apples will speak for everybody else because everybody else remains silent. That's why the rest of us end up carrying the stigma. Maybe you don't want your faults exposed in order not to carry your part of the shame that comes when... let's say, a group of drunken Boricuas in Wisconsin beat up two cops in an out-of-control post-parade celebration incident.

FACT: The traditional "no me jodah" lust for throwing the first punch prevents Boricuas from turning the other cheek just to avoid a fight, so the other guy gets a black eye but we get one too. Remember then: "He who fights and walks away... lives to fight another day."

FACT: Contrary to popular belief "turning the other cheek" is not standing like a dummy taking punches. The depth of the lesson is in the context of how we are to behave with those who attack us. Can you afford to let them slide once? They might just see their errors soon enough and save you a heap of trouble. Revenge isn't sweet. It's costly.

FACT: Summers are "Puerto Rican Season" in the USA. That's when we have our festivals and celebrations; that's when we hope to shine our colors to the ever-watching world. But sometimes, something backfires on us and we find ourselves lamenting "Sheesh, there's one in every crowd."

FACT: Puerto Rican Day celebrations that get out of control are a BIG Black Eye to the rest of us. Many times the world doesn't notice, but Boricuas notice.

In Milwaukee, Puerto Rican leaders said that they held news conferences to address the post-parade melée that erupted between police and youths during an impromptu celebration.

"We're still trying to figure out what happened, but we want to show our disappointment with the disrespect of the Puerto Rican flag," said Victor Huyke, editor of the "El Conquistador" community newspaper, after announcing the news conference.

Puerto Rican communities in the USA hold Puerto Rican Day parades and festivals in the summer to celebrate the Puerto Rican culture. Still, we work hard to seriously promote culture and well being, but sometimes end up with the black eye when some of the leadership in these not-so-fortunate communities pass the hot potato as "a lot of unchanneled energy" when the participants take it upon themselves to have their "own" parade.

I visited a group once and the members were arguing among themselves about some money that was missing. They insulted each other. So I got up and walked out. One of them followed me to the parking lot trying to justify themselves with "that's the way we are."

I said... "NO, THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE ARE !!!"

We must work harder to raise the awareness to each other that we have to be honest and fair and committed to good citizenship as well as that of Puerto Rican culture. It will be then, AND ONLY THEN, that our Puerto Rican pride will be exonerated...

But if you are willing to listen, I say, we still love those who give us the black eye. Consequently, do good to those who apparently hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Forgive those who hurt you. Don't get tired of doing good...

It is NOT what you "FEEL" is right, but that which you "KNOW" that's right.

donjibaro@gmail.com

“Live in such a way that no one blames the rest of us
nor finds fault with our work.” —(2 Corinthians 6:3)