Monthly Archives: February 2010

Same blog, new site

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After a great deal of research, time, and effort, I have moved Velez’s View to this self-hosting WordPress site. I have been using a free WordPress blog at Velez Communication for almost a year and had been thinking about moving my personal blog to a self-hosting site for some time. I delayed the move because I thought it would be too difficult and time consuming. Initially, it was indeed. Frustrating at times, to be honest. First I had to find a hosting site and then download the WordPress blogging program, then figure out how to make it all work. After a great deal of patience and energy, it all finally came together. If you have been thinking of making the switch please feel free to contact me for detailed information on my latest blogging-related journey.

Also, I’d like to give a shout out to the members of the NY Bloggers Meet-Up group, in particular Ms. Kitty Bradshaw. Kitty has an incredible blog. She’s also the one that finally made me take the big step to self-hosting. Thanks for the nudge and support, Kitty.

There’s still so much to learn, in regards to WordPress plug-ins and coding, but I hope to increase my knowledge and expertise over time. I’d like to also thank the people who follow this blog for their continued support.

Please take some time to view the excellent bloggers listed in my blog roll. Most have been great supporters for a while now. If you would like to exchange a blog roll listing please feel free to contact me directly.

Happy blogging.

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Google Buzz

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Earlier this month Google announced its entrance into the social media landscape: Google Buzz. Some social media pundits say the networking platform and messaging tool is Google’s attempt to compete with Facebook and Twitter. However, Google executives say otherwise. Bradley Horowitz, Google’s VP of product management, says Google Buzz is not just about status-updating or checking in, but a new category of communication that will evolve over time. I agree. Google Buzz is more of a communication platform where you can integrate other online networks like Twitter and YouTube. I’m an avid user of most Google products and see Google Buzz as the social network specifically attached to my Gmail account. Google Buzz is a simple interface and a great way to keep in touch and interact with Gmail contacts. With Google’s incredible reputation and reach, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before Google Buzz carves out its own niche in the enormous social media world.

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Immigration to Puerto Rico

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Puerto Rico’s history of immigration may make Boricuas the most ethnically diverse people of the Caribbean. Puerto Ricans know about the three main ethnic backgrounds that make-up the Puerto Rican people: the indigenous Taíno Indians, Spaniards, and Africans. However other ethnicities have and continue to contribute to the Puerto Rican culture.

By the early 19th century Spain had lost most of its possessions in the New World except for Puerto Rico and Cuba. In hopes of securing these areas, Spain announced the Royal Decree of Graces in 1815, which granted the Caribbean territories the right to have commercial ties with countries that were in good standing with Spain.

Hundreds of French (especially Corsican,) German, and Irish families soon immigrated to Puerto Rico. They were later followed by smaller waves of Dutch, Greek, Italian, Maltese, and Portuguese immigrants who adopted the language and customs of the island and were completely integrated into the society.

An increase of immigration to Puerto Rico occurred when the U.S. acquired the territory from the Spaniards after winning the Spanish-American War of 1898. Immigrants from China, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic soon became part of the Puerto Rican community.

Dominicans have lived on the island of Puerto Rico since colonial time with immigration coinciding with political upheavals. Today about 200,000 Dominicans live in Puerto Rico.

The large number of undocumented residents in Puerto Rico has become a hot political issue. The U.S. has yet to begin a serious conversation about immigration reform, however it will be interesting to see how new regulations will affect immigration in Puerto Rico. The recent devastating earthquake in Haiti is sure to affect further immigration of both Haitians and Dominicans to Puerto Rico.

In any event, U.S. and Puerto Rican officials should keep in mind that we have always been a nation of immigrants. Current U.S. citizens and political leaders should find ways to fairly welcome those seeking a better life and those who have already contributed greatly to the U.S. and Puerto Rican cultures.

For more on the history of immigration to Puerto Rico you can read the February political column at ElBoricua.com.

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