A Caribbean Writer in the Main Land

There’s a slight shock when I say that I’m from Puerto Rico, and I’ve been living here in Maryland for over a year.

My husband and I came to the Main Land on June 26, 2018, after Hurricane María destroyed our houses, our power system, our hopes, and our dreams. It wasn’t easy to go outside to see what the hurricane had done after being 12 hours above us. In our case, we got stuck in our neighborhood because a large piece of zinc fell right in the entrance.

10 Things You Didn’t Know That Happened After Hurricane Maria

Survival Mode On

As a result of the hurricane, many companies went broke. They had to pay an excessive amount of diesel for their buildings. This financial issue affected the school where I was working. The administration had to make a few changes to pay us.

Furthermore, the hurricane uncovered not only our houses taking our roofs but also what was happening in the government behind the curtains. We noticed that the Island was never prepared to face something like this. A well-known person laughed in our faces throwing paper towels at us. So, we decided that our professional opportunities were in the United States, and not in Puerto Rico.

My husband and I knew that it was unlikely that our careers would grow exponentially in Puerto Rico; he as a musician and I as a writer. It is unfortunate to say that literature is practically insignificant. Regarding music, Bad Bunny is what comes out from the Puerto Rican speakers.

Some family members in the United States were worried about the needs that we were going through. There was an increase in crime that occurred; we were living in a Puerto Rican version of The Purge. One of my cousins offered us a room in her house, and we accepted it. Then, we started planning the move after my contract with the school ended.

I must admit that it was good for us to leave Puerto Rico and all the stress that we experienced every day, especially on the road. The area where we moved to is unquestionably quiet, and there is no traffic. However, coming to a place where you hardly know people is a bit overwhelming.

I am nobody

In Puerto Rico, I have a friend who calls me Isa Mafia, because I used to know a lot of people. I would go to a place, and I always knew someone, and they knew me. If I needed something, I knew who to call. Here, in the land of the American Dream, I only know my cousins.

A few days after arriving, I remember saying to my husband: “I am nobody.” He replied: “You have to do what you did in Puerto Rico.” Starting is always the most challenging thing.

I was raised by a divorced woman, who had to raise her three children by herself, despite the hardships she faced in the 70s. She learned that the vital key to getting ahead is to work without ceasing. That was what she instilled in me since I was little, so I grew hungry to look for a job as soon as I could.

When we moved, I had to give up the job at the school, in which I saw a world of opportunities. I saw myself growing professionally and getting my retirement from there. However, María told us something else.

The quality of life decreased on the Island, and the economy has not been able to improve. Buying a house is impossible. The government drowns us with the IVU (tax). They oppress us with the Labor Reform Act from a corrupt government. So, my husband and I gave up everything we had to set out on a new adventure to seek our vocation.

Shapr and other ways to look for a job

I joined Shapr to connect with other writers and people working in the Communications field. My bio begins with: “Hi, I’m Isa, a Caribbean writer who recently moved to Maryland.” One of the first people that initiated a conversation said: “There must be many sources of inspiration for writing down in the Caribbean. What inspired the move up here?” I told him that even though that’s true, María made everything more difficult. Also, it is tough to grow professionally as a writer down there.

Puerto Rico is a beautiful island. It has many pretty places to visit and fantastic food to eat. However, if I want to be honest, I would have to say that it is becoming a place to visit for a vacation, nothing else.

That’s why a Caribbean writer left her phenomenal beaches and sacrificed her delicious coffee. Because she wishes to find a job where her talents and skills would become helpful. She wants to work where her art and prose are acknowledged and, above all, paid.