When I Was Puerto Rican Lesson Plan

Why do you think Santiago includes the scene where Don Julio has trouble getting Ramona’s family a taxi from the airport? Explain.

Strong responses will note that this detail helps to show the racism and discrimination that exists against immigrants in New York and the US. The fact that this occurs immediately upon arriving in New York helps to depict the reality of the situation for Puerto Ricans coming to live in the US, despite having full rights to be there. Technically, they are not even immigrants, though because they have darker skin, don’t speak English, or speak English with an accent, they are treated differently. The amount of prejudice that exists is enough...