Shannon L. Ortiz
This unit will examine the migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States after the Jones Act of 1917 to today. This will include looking at a variety of literature from authors born in Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans born in the United States. This will allow students to evaluate the effects of assimilation and diaspora and how Puerto Ricans would re-identify themselves in terms of their American selves.
Initially, students will define vocabulary necessary for the unit. They will then look at different texts to see the causes and the effects of Americanization of Puerto Rico, and the assimilation and diaspora that occur to Puerto Ricans who live in the United States. I want students to consider how Puerto Ricans attempt to maintain their cultural identity while becoming a part of the American experience. I want them to question: How does American occupation of Puerto Rico influence Puerto Rican culture on the island? What are the cultural conflicts that occur between American culture and Puerto Rican culture? How does American society and experiences influence mainland Puerto Rican's film, literature, and language? What ways do Puerto Ricans maintain their native identity through film, literature and language?
