Me llamo Jose Medina, I am a Nuyorican/Puerto
Rican born and raised on The Lower East Side in
New York City. First took my eyes to see La Isla
de Encanto in 1992 when I was 25 years old. It was
magic! When I got off the plane, after the first
plane ride in my life, I felt it. The spirit of El
Jibaro. It took over like the heat of the humid
less air that surrounds you when you exit the
airport terminal. I felt the love of my country
explode with pride within me, being introduced to
Mi Isla, Mi Tierra. I was born again! Born again
Puerto Rican! Within one hour I had Mi Gorra on
and was barefooted driving west on La Autopista
heading to San Lorenzo. I could imagine how many
others like me, Nuyoricans, who experience the
same feelings I did that day. Since then I exposed
myself to my culture through Mi Familia, Friends,
even people I have never met.
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