Historican

In this episode of Historican, we sit down with Vivian Vázquez Irizarry, creator of the powerful documentary Decade of Fire. She takes us back to the Bronx of the 1970s — a time of turmoil, burning buildings, and systemic abandonment — and reminds us how Puerto Rican communities still found ways to love, create, and resist. #puertoricans #history #boricua #bronx #newyorkcity #podcast #boogiedown

In this episode of Historican, we sit down for part 2 of our conversation with the Official Bronx Historian to explore the powerful story of Puerto Rican migration to New York City—especially the Bronx. From the first waves of families searching for opportunity to the realities of poverty and displacement, we uncover how Puerto Ricans shaped, and were shaped by, the city around them. We dive into the neighborhoods that became home, the struggles of survival in neglected boroughs, and the rise of movements born from resilience—like Salsa, Hip Hop, and the Young Lords. This is more than history. It’s the story of roots, resistance, and the legacy Puerto Ricans carved into the heart of New York. #puertoricans #history #bronx #newyorkcity #boogiedown #boricua

In this episode of Historican, we sit down with the Official Bronx Historian, Angel Hernandez, to explore the powerful story of Puerto Rican migration to New York City—especially the Bronx. From the first waves of families searching for opportunity to the realities of poverty and displacement, we uncover how Puerto Ricans shaped, and were shaped by, the city around them. We dive into the neighborhoods that became home, the struggles of survival in neglected boroughs, and the rise of movements born from resilience—like Salsa, Hip Hop, and the Young Lords. This is more than history. It’s the story of roots, resistance, and the legacy Puerto Ricans carved into the heart of New York. #puertoricans #history #boricua #newyorkcity #bronx #boogiedown #puertorico

In this powerful debut episode of Historican, we explore the rich and layered dimensions of Puerto Rican identity—especially for those living in the diaspora. Through heartfelt conversations and personal storytelling, our speakers reflect on what it means to be Boricua beyond the island: the pride, the pain, and the resilience that come with carrying culture across borders. We dig into family histories, the complexities of belonging, and how migration shapes the way identity is understood and passed down. This episode honors the diversity within the Puerto Rican experience, celebrating the shared history that unites a global community while acknowledging the personal journeys that make each story unique. #puertoricans #boricua #puertorico #newyorkcity