I grew up in Washington Heights - Upper Manhattan (New York City). My neighborhood at the time contained many ethnic groups, but Puerto Ricans were among them. Like my ethnic group (Greeks), Puerto Ricans are loud, festive people. read more
These same people might hear about anchor babies, uneducated laborers from Mexico and Central America, and other negative things. But Puerto Ricans are completely different. There are some uneducated Puerto Ricans, but there are many more who are very well educated. read more
Anthropologist, in several publications based on research conducted among Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, identified the culture of poverty Culture of Poverty view Another way of blaming the victim: the affluent are not responsible for social inequality, nor are the policymakers; it is the poor who are to blame for their own problems. read more
Dark skinned Puerto Ricans are less common than light skinned ones, so the most obvious stereotype of a Puerto Rican (long straight hair, light brown skin) is often portrayed. Although once someone see's a dark skinned Puerto Rican who doesn't look like this, they make the joke that your not really a "true" Puerto Rican. read more