“Boricua En La Luna” is a classic anthem about a young man born outside Puerto Rico, who dreams of going back to his parents’ home but never does. Based on a poem written by Juan Antonio Corretjer, the song vividly evokes themes of displacement and connection. And it asserts that Puertoricanness exists no matter where one lives, declaring, “yo seria borincano aunque naciera en la luna” – “I would be Puerto Rican even if I were born on the moon.”
But… what would happen if someone Puerto Rican were actually born on the moon? This week on Snap, we bring you an amazing story from “La Brega” a co-production of WNYC Studios and Futuro Studios. They asked the acclaimed Puerto Rican writer Sergio Gutiérrez Negrón to answer this question in a short fictional story.
Kelvin is the first human born on the moon, and finds himself growing up there alone. By listening to recordings sent by his grandmother, he learns to love the island he’s never seen. But when he finally meets someone else on the lunar surface, Kelvin is faced with a dilemma about his attachment to both the moon and to Puerto Rico, and how much he can hold onto his two identities.
Performances by Keren Lugo (Jessica), Nancy Ticotin (Marielena) and Jesús del Orden (Kelvin). Sound design by Joe Plourde.
Listen to the Spotify playlist, featuring music from this episode – and this season of La Brega. They add to it each week as new episodes come out.
Special thanks to Kelly Gillespie, Ana María Dîaz Burgos, Orlando Javier Torres, Juanluis Ramos, and Olga Casanova-Burgess. And thank you to the other voices who brought this episode to life: Brian Lehrer, Melissa Harris Perry, Nancy Solomon, Stephen Nessen, Jeff Spurgeon, Kerry Nolan, Terrance McKnight, Brigid Bergin, Natalia Ramirez and Elliott Forrest.
Fact checking by Istra Pacheco and Maria Soledad. This season of La Brega is made possible by the Mellon Foundation.
Artwork by Fernando Norat
Season 14 - Episode 10
Tau = 10.8 from This is Love
Vote for El Hottie
Winning Colors - Snap Classic
Hounded from Spooked
The Trials of Lt. McFadden
Belly of the Beast - Snap Classic
Transcendent - Snap Classic
The Cannonball Run
Subterfuge - Snap Classic
Father Forgive Them
Weight For It
Money Truck - Snap Classic
New Folsom from On Our Watch
Photo Session
Genghis Khan
The Pink Palace - Snap Classic
No Good Turn
Hyphy Kids Got Trauma
Shake, Rattle, and Roll - Snap Classic
Con Man Daddy - Snap Classic
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Stuff You Should Know
On Being with Krista Tippett
TED Radio Hour
Gulliver’s Travels
The Art of War
Planet Money
The Dinner Party Download