The Nuyorican Movement

By: Susie Sofranko

Nuyorican (as defined by Miguel Algarín) :

• “Originally Puerto Rican epithet for those of Puerto Rican heritage born in New York: their Spanish was different (Spanglish), their way of dress and look were different.”

• “A proud poet speaking New York Puerto Rican”

• “A denizen of the Nuyorican Poet’s Café”

Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe

• Established in 1973 by Miguel Algarín and Miguel Piñero as a venue for individuals in minority groups to share their experiences through poetry and other forms of art expression. Algarín stresses the importance of the artist, which he describes as “a catalyst through which social change is made”.

Miguel Algarín (1941-present)

Miguel Piñero (1947-1973)

Sandra Maria Esteves (1948-present)

Tato Laviera (1951-present)

Victor Hernandez Cruz (1949-present)

Piri Thomas (1928-present)

Overlapping themes:

• Difficulty in Assimilation• Facing Racism• HIV/AIDS• Substance Abuse

Born Anew At Each A.M. by Piri Thomas

The street’s got kick man, Like a bargain shelfIn fact, cool-breeze, it’s got Love just like anyplace else.

It’s got high-powered salesmenWho push mucho junkAnd hustlers who can swallowYou up in a chunk

It's got sewers that swallowall the street pours down its throatIt's got hope wearingan old over-coat.

It's got lights that shine upthe dark and make the scene like newIt sells what you don't needAnd never lets you forget what you blew.

It's got our beautiful childrenliving in all kinds of hellhoping to survive and making it wellSwinging together in misty darknessWith much love to shareSmiling a Christ-like forgiveness, That only a ghetto cross can bear.

The streets got life, man,like a young tender sun,and gentleness likelong awaited dreams to come.

For children are roses with nary a thorn,forced to feel the racist's scorn,Our children are beautywith the right to be born.

Born anew at each a.m.Like a child out of twilight,flying toward sunlight,Born anew at each a.m.