Sponsored Identities: Cultural Politics in Puerto Rico (Puerto Rican Studies)

Author Arlene Dávila's major examination of cultural nationalism as a political construct focuses on the Institute for Puerto Rican Culture, the government institution charged with defining authenticated views of national identity since the 1950s, and on popular festival organizers to illuminate contestations over appropriate representations of culture in the increasingly mass-mediated context of contemporary Puerto Rico. She examines the creation of an essentialist view of nationhood based on a peasant culture and a "unifying" Hispanic heritage, and the ways in which grassroots organizations challenge and reconfigure definitions of national identity through their own activities and representations. Dávila pays particular attention to the increasing prominence of corporate sponsorship in determining what is distinguished as authentic "Puerto Rican culture" and discusses the politicization of culture as a discourse to debate and legitimize conflicting claims from selling commercial products to advocating divergent status options for the island. In so doing, Dávila illuminates the prospects for cultural identities in an increasingly transnational context by showing the growth of cultural nationalism to be intrinsically connected to forms of political action directed to the realm of culture and cultural politics. This in-depth examination also makes clear that despite contemporary concerns with "authenticity," commercialism is an inescapable aspect of all cultural expressions on the island. Focusing On The Institute For Puerto Rican Culture - The Government Institution Charged With Defining Authenticated Views Of National Identity Since The 1950s - And On Popular Festival Organizers, Author Arlene M. Davila Illuminates Contestations Over Appropriate Representations Of Culture In The Increasingly Mass-mediated Context Of Contemporary Puerto Rico. She Examines The Creation Of An Essentialist View Of Nationhood Based On A Peasant Culture And A Unifying Hispanic Heritage And Explores The Ways In Which Grassroots Organizations Challenge And Reconfigure Definitions Of National Identity, Through Their Own Activities And Representations. Introduction: Making And Marketing National Identities -- Ch. I. Securing The Nation Through Politics -- Ch. Ii. The Institute Of Puerto Rican Culture And The Building Blocks Of Nationality -- Ch. Iii. From The Center To The Centros: Cultural Politics From Below -- Ch. Iv. Just One More Festival: New Actors In Caone's Cultural Politics -- Ch. V. Culture, Politics, And Corporate Sponsorship -- Ch. Vi. Contesting The Nation, Contesting Identities -- Conclusion: Cassettes, Posters, And Bumper Stickers. Arlene M. Dávila. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 275-294) And Index. Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Preface List of Abbreviations Introduction: Making and Marketing National Identities Chapter I: Securing the Nation through Politics Chapter II: The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and the Building Blocks of Nationality Chapter III: From the Center to the Centros: Cultural Politics from Below Chapter IV: Just One More Festival: New Actors in Caone’s Cultural Politics Chapter V: Culture, Politics, and Corporate Sponsorship Chapter VI: Contesting the Nation, Contesting Identities Conclusion: Cassettes, Posters, and Bumper Stickers Notes Bibliography Index Giving particular attention to the prominence of corporate sponsorship in determining what is distinguished as authentic Puerto Rican culture, this work discusses the politicization of culture as a discourse to debate and legitimize conflicting claims from selling commercial products to advocating divergent status options for the island.