Flags of Steel

When I wrote an essay on my transformation attending Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School, I was one of the chosen few to be honored to celebrate that 113 Annual Celebration of the Puerto Rican and Cuban flag. At the celebration, there was music, pictures and a group that sang many great Salsa and Meringue hits. With the group followed Puerto Rican and Cuban youth who performed the Puerto Rican Folkloric dance along with Salsa and Meringue. Young or old, everyone was up dancing, cheering and enjoying the celebration of our flag and culture. Though picture taking and videos were prohibited, some people; including myself, couldn’t help but take pictures and record this amazing celebration.
Since the celebration was in December and the Three Kings Day was the following month, towards the end people wore costumes that represented the Three Kings and began dancing with pride as everyone cheered them on. My experience at this Annual Celebration was not what I expected. At the time, I was barley learning about my culture. I never liked the music and the history was unknown to me. But at that celebration, I learned so much and actually sat through the music and had the time of my life. I have never been to something like that and I am glad that my school has given me the opportunity to experience such an awesome celebration.

Before the flag was adopted in 1952 the flag meant something else than what the current flag means. Before 1952, the flag then had a light blue triangle instead of dark blue. The red stripes represented to blood of our brave warriors. The white stripes meant victory and peace. The light blue flag represented the sky and coastal waters. The lone star represented the island. To me, the original flag now means what we will always be and shows what our people are about. It shows that our culture truly will not be forgotten because when Puerto Rico became a commonwealth, Puerto Ricans still own the original flag today. The Puerto Rican flag is a symbol of pride and the strength that we have developed throughout history. Also, to build it as a monument to the Puerto Rican flag in Humboldt Park, shows the mark that we place in the U.S. The steel flags represent the memories that I’ll have in the future. The memories that I’ll have of Humboldt Park.

The Flags of Steel mean a lot of things to me. I have never understood why they were there or why people liked them so much until I moved into, Paseo Boricua, the heart of the Puerto Rican community. Now I Have realized that the flags are much more than just decorations to our Puerto Rican community. The flag is our proof that we are trying to keep our community together. We have fought for those flags to be there and they symbolize many things. The flags were made of steel pipes to symbolize the first Puerto Rican migration. When Puerto Ricans first arrived they worked in steel mills and pipelines. This is a reminder of how Puerto Ricans once lived and how now they are given credit for their hard work.

The flags of steel that are located on division and california and mozart they mean alot to me. even if am not p.r onces  i hit california and division its like a whole different world. everybody gets along and the people that live their dont knoe the meaning of beaing racies. They all get along with each other and alwayz have a smile on their face . even if ur not p.r they dont care cause they dont see nothing wrong in being different but you got to knoe spanish cause thats what they love talking. im sure that they are going to be excited wen they see the flags get repainted next year. Those flags mean alot since its like a mini p.r just like mexicans have little village p.r have does flags and its like their second home. onces p.r come to chicago they stay near humbolt park for they would feel like there still at home. not only that p.r came along way from being test dummies to being part of the united statez and having the flag up high for everybody can see their always proud of that flag.

The Flags Of Steel What the flags of steel mean to me is the proud that us as Puerto Ricans have. The flags of steel mean that no matter what comes along we will stick together as a family and portect what is ours. What these flags stand for to me is all the struggles that Puerto Ricans have went through throughout many years. These flags mean to me that those who have came from working in the steel mills and pipe factories they are now getting something back for all their hard work. What the flags of steel mean to me is that even though you may not get what you want at first something better may come long and show the world and you that hard work does pay off in many different ways. The flags of steel mean to me is that no matter how far or close you are to a dream keep that dream alive because no one can make your dreams come true but you. What the flags of steel mean to mean is that they are a gateway into the lifes of Puerto Ricans and the proud that we have have where we come from and who we are.