JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Editor's note: The following commentary was written in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15.
Was it the lively deep brown ringlets sprouting from my head that clued you in?
What about my olive skin, reminiscent of the smoothest looking caramel?
Maybe it was my eyes resembling almonds, reflecting the colors of the richest tilled earth.
Or was it the strength in my strut, the phonation of my lyrics or the attitude in my demeanor?
How do you know I am who I appear to be?
Do you know me?
I am the celebration in my people's music and dance.
I am the elaborate jewels that once draped around their unyielding necks.
I am the rich gold my people so desperately sought after before it enslaved them.
I am the joy torn from their smiles, the pride concealed by their fear, the freedom they once knew to be true.
I am the rose that budded from the soil stained with their blood, sweat and tears.
I am the basis of our future.
The honor in my heritage.
Yo soy un descendiente de los indios taínos, no sólo de septiembre a octubre; Soy Boricua todos los días.
Translation: I am a descendent of the Taino Indians, not only from September to October; I am Puerto Rican every day.