ROSIE PEREZ IS PUERTO RICAN FIRST

Even though Rosie Perez was born and raised in Brooklyn, she considers herself Puerto Rican first and foremost and wants to show the world the pride of her heritage and history in the documentary I’m Boricua, Just So You Know.

Rosie wants the focus off of her celebrity and her stories. Instead as the director of the film she’s showcasing the real people whose lives are steeped and shaped by Latin culture and history.

“One thing that we tried to explain in the documentary that when you grow up Puerto Rican, you’re Puerto Rican first and foremost and that even before you understand your history there is a pride that is instilled in you. So that’s what I mean when you’re Puerto Rican, you’re just Puerto Rican. And the pride that your parents had just comes down and then when you get older you start to learn the history and then the pride increases. It does enforce or dictate who you are as an adult when you have roots and a strong foundation that you grow up upon. So it definitely has made me a very, very strong woman.”rn

Through the documentary Rosie hopes that Puerto Ricans will be better understood by the rest of America.

“This was my intention on the film and it was specific why I didn’t choose any celebrity, Latin, Puerto Rican American celebrities or Puerto Rican celebrities to be in the film. Is that this film is about the people. And so I didn’t want it just to be concentrated on myself and my own stories. It’s about the people’s story and what they have endured and how political policy has affected their lives and still they’ve maintained a voice and they’ve maintained a certain identity here in the United States and actually throughout the world. The world knows what a Puerto Rican is now, thank goodness. I think that’s a powerful statement because in a world where assimilation is very strong, yes we are Americans but yes we are Puerto Ricans first and I think that’s a brilliant thing.”

As Rosie says, go watch the documentary I’m Boricua, Just So You Know which in fact airs the day after the 2006 National Puerto Rican Day Parade on Monday June 12 at 9PM on IFC.rn

“You know I was just inspired to do this documentary because I got tired of explaining myself as a Puerto Rican. I think that it’s really sad that we constantly have to explain our culture, we have to explain our history. We have to explain everything and it’s like enough is enough. Go watch the documentary and then let’s talk. You know what I mean? That was my main objective in making this film so that all those questions can be somewhat eliminated.”