Puerto Rico and migration: a view through short stories by José Luis González

Abstract

In this article, an analysis is made of a selection of short stories by Puerto Rican writer José Luis González (1926-1997), all of them dealing with the theme of Puerto Rican migration at the middle of the 20th century. As an introduction, there is an overview of the historical, social and political background that led to migration in Puerto Rico. Later on, causes and consequences of internal migration, that is to say, from the countryside to the cities, are presented. In the case of external migration, working conditions, economic stability, quality of life and identity of Puerto Ricans in the United States are also discussed. Finally, the discrimination suffered by immigrants in big cities through "cultural racism" —a concept that explains the creation of an imaginary around the Puerto Rican community, which facilitates the formation of a cheap labor force  hiding the true causes of their marginalization in education and employment fields— is addressed. In the conclusion, it is highlighted the importance of studying the works of José Luis González towards an understanding of the aspects that make up the phenomenon of migration and its effects and impact, not only in the Caribbean, but in the world at large.