Author Speaks

from the author, HEctor Varela

Dear friends,

Being somewhat short of resources, which translates to being somewhat broke, our publicity efforts for Affinity for Trouble, A Puerto Rican Story, are limited. I am relying heavily on the Web and the ability of the Web Master, Matt, at e-moxie.com to put us on the map. As is true for many of you out there, the written word rules, in my thoughts. Having enjoyed a relatively long life and having been exposed to my ancestral grandfathers (abuelitos) as well as to one great- grandmother (tatara-abuela), all storytellers, I learned to listen and to enjoy their tales and the musical poetry of the boricua soul.

The brotherhood of Puerto Ricans will only persist if we pursue it and pass it on to our children and grandchildren. Passion for our culture, music, and art is completely compatible with being Americans. Subsequent to the Vietnam Tet Offensive and for quite a few years I was a Pipiolo and a party activist during my years in Puerto Rico. As I acquired wisdom, reality dampened my enthusiasm. Now, I just wait to see what my people in Puerto Rico decide to do, and because of my love for them and for all boricuas, I will be fine with their decision. I pray that it is a slow, deliberate, and well-thought-out democratic one. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing from the entrails of everything that is blessedly boricua.

America will be forced to deal with the Puerto Rican colonial issue by the United Nations in the very near future. I personally have very little faith in the U. N. and believe that this is an issue between Puerto Rico and America, with the U. S. having the last word. I have every confidence that the people of Puerto Rico and America will arrive at a just final decision in a democratic manner. I wish the U. N. would butt out!

Please read my work and tell me what you think. You can count on my gratitude.

Los quiero boricuas,
Héctor Varela