This is a map of Puerto Rico that has been in my family for many years. Maps of the island are common in Puerto Rican homes. This map is special to my grandmother especially because it shows the names of every town in Puerto Rico and it also shows the crops that the towns are known for. My grandfather used to work on a farm back in Puerto Rico and the people there are very proud of Puerto Rico's past as an independent country. Ever since colonialism struck the country, powerful countries have done their best to make Puerto Rico totally dependent on them by turning Puerto Rico into a country dependent on imports. Puerto Rico is now in a monetary crisis and the people are suffering. Seeing this map reminds people like my grandmother that Puerto Rico can be independent and was once a country that flourished on its own and where the land supplied enough for its own people. My grandmother and grandfather moved here from Puerto Rico in the 50's and my father moved here in the 70's. Their sense of pride is still very strong especially because we experienced a lot of racism when we moved into our Bronx neighborhood, even in the 90's. This map is still great to look at, and even after lookin at it for many years, I still notice things that I haven't seen before. My grandmother and I have had many conversations about the different towns and crops. It is an item that our family will cherish and keep around for as long as we can. 

– RM

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant