Boychiks and Boricuas: Representations of Jewish Masculinity in the Literature of the Puerto Rican Diaspora

FAIN: HB-273505-21

Michael Cucher
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (San Juan, PR 00925-2512)

Research and writing resulting in an article examining representations of Jewish masculinity in the work of three Puerto-Rican American authors.

In the spirit of the NEH Special Initiative “A More Perfect Union,” this peer-reviewed article will investigate the “modern, pluralistic society” of the United States through three Puerto Rican authors who represent Jewish masculinity in their works. Each author represents a specific relationship to the Puerto Rican diaspora from the early 20th century to the present. Arturo Schomburg, Piri Thomas, and Aurora Levins Morales use representations of Jewish manliness to explore issues from upward social mobility and spirituality to diaspora and nationalism. Some of these representations reflect conflicts between Puerto Ricans and Jewish people. Others reference historical examples – or dreams of a future – in which these communities work together. My thesis is that some representations of Jewish men in Latinx literature help readers to reimagine U.S. models of masculinity as opportunities for cooperation, generosity, and compassion rather than contests for supremacy and domination.

Associated Products

Excerpt from Boychiks and Boricua Theorists of Diaspora: Encounters with Jewishness in the works of Arturo Schomburg, Piri Thomas, and Aurora Levins Morales (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Excerpt from Boychiks and Boricua Theorists of Diaspora: Encounters with Jewishness in the works of Arturo Schomburg, Piri Thomas, and Aurora Levins Morales
Author: Michael Cucher
Abstract: I presented an excerpt from the introduction to my research project, Boychiks and Boricua Theorists of Diaspora: Encounters with Jewishness in the works of Arturo Schomburg, Piri Thomas, and Aurora Levins Morales. In this excerpt, I analyze representations of the "mister goldstein" characters in Pedro Pietri's famous poem, "Puerto Rican Obituary." I then introduce the Puerto Rican writers in the title of my project by examining their connections to Pietri's poem and its representations of its jewish supervisors. I also sketch out historical connections between Puerto Rican and Jewish diasporas going back to the Spanish Inquisition.
Date: 07/12/22
Primary URL: https://latinxstudiesassociation.org/conference/
Primary URL Description: This is the website for the Latino Studies Association conference in July 2022. You can access the conference program at this url.
Conference Name: Latino Studies Association Conference, Centering Blackness, Challenging Latinidad

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