A People in Two Communities: Puerto Ricans on the Island and in the United States. An Exploration of the Emergence of the Puerto Rican People into Two Communities.

This booklet describes the issues and findings of a series of symposia on Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico and in the United States. From 1988 to 1992, six symposia were held, three in the United States and three in Puerto Rico, on topics such as migration, culture and language, community characteristics, strengthening relations between the two communities, economic development, community health, and education. The meetings resulted in a strategy and an agenda on which several groups agreed to collaborate. An introduction describes the symposia process. Section II discusses the emergence of the two Puerto Rican communities, their politics, migration patterns, changing perceptions, intercommunity relationships, and migration between the two areas. Section III looks at education and discusses the unique problems faced by both communities: literacy, technology, the impact of migration, retention, and teacher training. This section offers seven recommendations. Section IV considers health issues and delivery systems and policy as well as primary and preventive care, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, mental health, and 13 recommendations. Section V discusses community economic development starting in the 1960s and continuing particularly in the 1980s. Five findings and 13 recommendations are provided. The final section outlines the agreed-upon agenda for collaboration. Symposia participants with organizational affiliations are listed. (JB)