Nuyorican

Nuyorican (also spelled Newyorican) refers to a person of Puerto Rican descent who is raised in the New York City area, or a person who lives or spends significant time in New York City and identifies as Puerto Rican. The term encapsulates a unique cultural identity, blending Puerto Rican traditions and values with the experiences of living in New York City.

Nuyorican identity is often associated with a distinct cultural expression found in art, literature, music, and activism. This expression often reflects themes of displacement, biculturalism, the challenges of navigating two cultures, and the celebration of Puerto Rican heritage within an American context.

The term itself emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, partly as a response to social and political issues faced by the Puerto Rican community in New York City. It signifies a hybrid identity that is neither fully Puerto Rican nor fully American, but something unique and distinct.

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, founded in 1973, is a prominent institution that has played a crucial role in fostering and showcasing Nuyorican artistic expression, particularly in the fields of poetry, spoken word, theater, and music.

It's important to note that not all Puerto Ricans in New York City identify as Nuyorican. The term is often embraced by those who feel a strong connection to both their Puerto Rican heritage and their experiences in New York City, and who actively participate in the cultural and artistic expressions associated with the Nuyorican identity. The term can also be used more broadly to describe the broader Puerto Rican diaspora experience in other parts of the United States, though its core meaning is firmly rooted in New York City.