OPINION
A Look at Identity With Olympic Gold Medalist Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the Pride of Puerto Rico and Our Blackness
Shining her light on all of us.
El deber que tenemos los puertorriqueños es sentirnos orgullosos de quienes somos. / As Puerto Ricans, it is our duty to be proud of who we are.
~ Lolita Lebrón, Revolutionary Freedom Fighter, Author & Poet
One question many people ask when they first meet someone is: ‘Where are you from?’ Since Olympic champion hurdler Jasmine Camacho-Quinn is a name millions have heard, it’s unlikely she gets asked that question much.
And while I have never personally met this young woman whose smile lights up entire stadiums, I’m almost positive it’s safe to imagine at other points in her life; she got asked this several times.
Here’s the thing about identity — so often, we tie it directly to the land of our birth and call it a day. Of course, we are much more layered as our lived experiences shape who we become. To assume our birthplace tells the entire story is to miss a huge chunk of who we are.
So, what does Ms. Camacho-Quinn (who proudly competes for Puerto Rico) have to say on the subject? Continue reading for a peek at her professional life, her perspectives, and her…
