Interview to Pedro Pietri
1. How was it to learn two languages basically at the same time, since you move from Puerto Rico to New York at very short age?
“It was not so difficult since I was only three years old when my parents left the island to live in New York’s Spanish Harlem where Latino communities predominated, and I was educated in the public system in New York.”
2. What made you start writing poems?
“Well, when I was a teenager, my aunt Irene Rodriguez inspired me because she recited poems on the church I assisted, called First Spanish United Methodist Church. Thanks to her, she inspired me to start writing.”
3. Tell me something about the poem “Puerto Rican Obituary”
“This is one of the most famous poems which I published in 1969. The “Puerto Rican Obituary” tells about five Puerto Ricans who travel to New York in search of a better way of life only to find hardships and suffer heartbreak.”
4. What was the Nuyorican Poets Cafe?
“Is a non-profit organization, is a bastion of Nuyorican art movement in New York City and has become a forum for poetry, music, hip hop, visual arts, comedy and therefore I founded it with my fellow partners Miguel and Miguel Piñero.”
5. Besides poetry, I have read that you also write plays, is it true?
“I also write plays. My first published play is “The Masses are Asses” in
1984. Most of my plays talk about how Puerto Ricans live and survive in the
Conflicted urban environment in New York City.”
6. What was the Newyorican Movement?
“It was a cultural movement involving poets, writers, musicians and artists who are Puerto Rican or of Puerto Rican descent, who live in or near New York City.”
7. Did your parents supported you when you started as a poet in your early years?
“At first they weren’t that happy about it, specially my father. He always wanted me to work as a lavender just like him or a as a constructor.”
8. Why did you left the Army, Vietnam War?
“I realized who the real enemy was, and it was not the Vietcong in their black pajamas, but the mercenaries who invaded their country. I discharged from the army and then joined the activist group called "Young Lords" who belonged to the Puerto Rican Civil Rights binds. This is where I first read "Puerto Rican Obituary.”
1. How was it to learn two languages basically at the same time, since you move from Puerto Rico to New York at very short age?
“It was not so difficult since I was only three years old when my parents left the island to live in New York’s Spanish Harlem where Latino communities predominated, and I was educated in the public system in New York.”
2. What made you start writing poems?
“Well, when I was a teenager, my aunt Irene Rodriguez inspired me because she recited poems on the church I assisted, called First Spanish United Methodist Church. Thanks to her, she inspired me to start writing.”
3. Tell me something about the poem “Puerto Rican Obituary”
“This is one of the most famous poems which I published in 1969. The “Puerto Rican Obituary” tells about five Puerto Ricans who travel to New York in search of a better way of life only to find hardships and suffer heartbreak.”
4. What was the Nuyorican Poets Cafe?
“Is a non-profit organization, is a bastion of Nuyorican art movement in New York City and has become a forum for poetry, music, hip hop, visual arts, comedy and therefore I founded it with my fellow partners Miguel and Miguel Piñero.”
5. Besides poetry, I have read that you also write plays, is it true?
“I also write plays. My first published play is “The Masses are Asses” in
1984. Most of my plays talk about how Puerto Ricans live and survive in the
Conflicted urban environment in New York City.”
6. What was the Newyorican Movement?
“It was a cultural movement involving poets, writers, musicians and artists who are Puerto Rican or of Puerto Rican descent, who live in or near New York City.”
7. Did your parents supported you when you started as a poet in your early years?
“At first they weren’t that happy about it, specially my father. He always wanted me to work as a lavender just like him or a as a constructor.”
8. Why did you left the Army, Vietnam War?
“I realized who the real enemy was, and it was not the Vietcong in their black pajamas, but the mercenaries who invaded their country. I discharged from the army and then joined the activist group called "Young Lords" who belonged to the Puerto Rican Civil Rights binds. This is where I first read "Puerto Rican Obituary.”