PHILIP V. BENEVENTO CULTURAL PROGRAM FOR ADULTS
Rebellious Rhythm: Exploring Puerto Rican History through Reggaetón
Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, 5:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Auditorium
Reggaetón music can be heard all over Connecticut, but what can it tell us about Puerto Rican culture and history? Discover the rich history of Reggaetón in Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican diaspora in Connecticut with this three-part workshop, which will combine historical lectures, interactive activities, listening sessions, and community dialogues. Each session will be led by Nina Vazquez, a public historian and educator who was quoted in a 2023 Rolling Stone magazine article about Bad Bunny’s ‘X100PRE’.
July 7: El Grito de Lares (1868) to the Ponce Massacre (1937)
An introduction to Puerto Rico’s early independence struggles and the island’s colonial transition from Spain to U.S. governance, highlighting the birth of resistance movements and political repression.
July 14: The Criminalization of Puerto Ricans, 1940s-2000s
This session explores the systemic criminalization of Puerto Rican people on the island and in the diaspora, examining government surveillance, eugenics, cultural suppression, and the vilification of reggaetón.
July 21: Reggaetón as a Political Tool, 2010-present
This final session examines how reggaetón has evolved into a powerful medium for social commentary and political protest, particularly in response to natural disasters, colonial austerity measures, and anti-government uprisings.
Space is limited. Please pre-register by clicking one of the registration links below or call 203-574-8225.
If you plan to attend all three days click here to register. If not, you can register for specific days below:
July 7: El Grito de Lares (1868) to the Ponce Massacre (1937).
July 14: The Criminalization of Puerto Ricans, 1940s-2000s.
July 21: Reggaetón as a Political Tool, 2010-present.
The Philip V. Benevento Fund for Cultural Programs for Adults at the Silas Bronson Library was established in 2016 in honor of Waterbury’s City Historian and former Silas Bronson Library Board member Philip V. Benevento. The fund continues to grow through individual donations made to the Friends of the Silas Bronson Library.
|