Puerto Rico, circa 1941

Esmeralda Santiago’s facebook status recently reminded me of the great treasure of photographs accessible online at Library of Congress, taken by documented photographer, Jack Delano for the Farm Security Administration, Washington D.C. and Office of War Information.

What is rather heart wrenching to me is that this is the Puerto Rico my mother knew and lived. She was born in 1942 and Puerto Rico, like any other place has changed. She has changed. Unfortunately, many of mother’s photographs were lost before she ever came to the mainland. I’m not sure if she lost her suitcase or it was stolen but it carried all of her precious pictures.

Take a trip back in time and place with me…

Aibonito, Puerto Rico. Children at school (Jan. 1942)

Slum area in Ponce, Puerto Rico – Dec. 1941 (my mother’s hometown, although she lived on a farm, a year before she was born)

Ponce, Puerto Rico. Family living in the slum area (Dec. 1942)

The pictures while a little bit disturbing (why were the subjects documented by someone from the office of war information?) to me, the value to someone whose only memories of that time come from images like this is priceless.

If you would like to peruse for yourself, check them out at www.loc.gov

Spread the love

More Articles for You

How DNA, Haplogroups, and Genetic Markers Reveal Taíno Heritage

The Genetic Echoes of the Taíno People The Taíno people, the first known inhabitants of the Caribbean, have long been …

Spread the love

Unearthing the Invisible in Ben Brisbois’ Banana Capital: Unpeeling the Layers of Capitalism and Racism

The banana. Simple, ubiquitous, and unassuming. Yet, as Ben Brisbois reveals in his forthcoming Banana Capital, it’s anything but ordinary. …

Spread the love

Ditching The Algorithm: Why I Joined Bluesky (And You Should Too)

For years, social media has been both a megaphone and an equalizer, a place where anyone can share art, advocate …

Spread the love

Latina/o Bloggers, Content Creators, Influencers: This Is Your Year

The Latina/o Bloggers Group is back and ready to uplift you. Join the community to tap into resources, connect with like-minded creators, and be part of something bigger than just a platform. Let’s rewrite the digital narrative together.

Spread the love

Nosferatu Reimagined: Mythology, Symbolism, & Storytelling in the Digital Age

When F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu first graced the silver screen in 1922, it set the stage for a century of fascination …

Spread the love

What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About Death, Technology, and Social Change

In a world where technology seems to dominate every facet of our lives, there’s something profoundly humbling about turning back …

Spread the love