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<h1 id="reader-title">First Latina Superhero to Fight Puerto
Rico Crisis, Colonialism</h1>
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<p> 15 June 2016<br>
</p>
<p>A Puerto Rican artist has created “La Borinqueña,” the
first Latina superhero, to bring hope to the Latino
community and spark a larger conversation on the <a
target="_blank"
href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/US-House-Set-to-Vote-on-Colonial-Puerto-Rico-Debt-Crisis-Bill-20160609-0010.html">future
of developed countries</a>. </p>
<p>Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez unveiled the unconventional
and original superhero during the Puerto Rican Day
Parade in New York City on Sunday. Although the comic is
written in English, it contains some phrases in Spanish.
</p>
<p>The NY-based activist worked with artists in Marvel and
DC Comics to create a character who would raise
awareness on the <a target="_blank"
href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Debt-Crisis-Leaves-Puerto-Rico-Without-Air-Ambulance-Service-20160608-0010.html">economic
and environmental situations</a> affecting Puerto
Rico. </p>
<p>“My activism was always a fire, but given everything
that's going on in Puerto Rico it started to burn even
brighter,“ Miranda-Rodriguez told teleSUR. “I felt there
was something more important that needed to be done.” </p>
<p>Miranda-Rodriguez says has worked for years on issues
including freeing political prisoners such as <a
target="_blank"
href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/OLRivera-20160614-0026.html">Oscar
Lopez Rivera</a> and opposing foreign interventions
through the U.S. military base in Puerto Rican island of
Vieques. </p>
<p>By day, the superhero is Marisol Rios De La Luz, a
Puerto Rican woman living in Brooklyn, New York, who
goes back to the island and discovers her superpowers.
She also has Afro-Puerto Rican heritage, according to
the artist. </p>
<p>For Miranda-Rodriguez, who says she was inspired by
powerful women <a target="_blank"
href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Puerto-Rico-Archbishop-Calls-for-End-to-Colonial-Status-20160608-0029.html">activists
in the United States</a>, "La Boriqueña" has more than
just powers—she embraces values, like selflessness,
dedication to family, and patience. </p>
<p>“I think those values are what makes us separate from
other cultures, and that those are our powers,“
Miranda-Rodriguez said. “And we do have a superpower, we
can vote in this <a target="_blank"
href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Clinton-Wins-Puerto-Rico-Primary-Moves-Closer-to-Nomination-20160605-0008.html">general
election coming up</a>, and we can vote people out
just as well.” </p>
<p>One of the main issues Miranda-Rodriguez wants to bring
into the spotlight is the voting power of the more than
5 million Puerto Ricans who live in the United States.
Since those living <a target="_blank"
href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Sanders-Camp-Dont-Blame-Us-for-Shoddy-Puerto-Rico-Primary-20160606-0011.html">on
the island cannot vote</a>, mainland Puerto Ricans can
decide the future of the country. </p>
<p>“It’s like being invited to design a menu for a
banquet, and you're at the table, finally at that
banquet, and you're not allowed to actually eat
anything,” Miranda-Rodriguez said. </p>
<p>Miranda-Rodriguez believes the comic book will inspire
young Puerto Ricans to know more about their history,
and think for themselves about what is <a
target="_blank"
href="http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/US-Supreme-Court-Wont-Let-Puerto-Rico-Restructure-70B-Debt-20160613-0024.html">the
best status</a> for the island. </p>
<p>“When you understand what's going on from a real human
perspective, then you begin to understand what is so
important about social justice,” said Miranda-Rodriguez.
</p>
<p>The artist says that "La Borinqueña" is a metaphor for
everyone in Latin America—a hero who represents the
island but stands for universal values. </p>
<p>“I’m not going to say that this superhero is going to
resolve the debt crisis or save the world. But I am
going to say that she can stand as a symbol for hope,
for unity,“ said Miranda-Rodriguez. </p>
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<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Freedom Archives
522 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
415 863.9977
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.freedomarchives.org">www.freedomarchives.org</a>
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