Unpacking the Portmanteau

This chapter delves into the concept of “Diasporican” introduced by Nuyorican poet María Teresa “Mariposa” Fernández in 1993 . This term encapsulates the multifaceted identity of Puerto Ricans living outside their homeland, especially those born and raised in diaspora. The chapter examines the evolving significance of this term, which defies boundaries of ethnicity and national identification. It explores how the Diasporican identity challenges established notions of authenticity, particularly as the Puerto Rican diaspora becomes more dispersed beyond New York City. The chapter also discusses the shift in Puerto Rican migration patterns, highlighting the emergence of distinct ethnic labels in different regions of the United States. Through interviews with three artists located outside New York City—Raúl Romero in Philadelphia, GeoVanna Gonzalez in Miami, and Olivia Levins Holden in Minneapolis—the chapter explores how these artists engage with placemaking and belonging within their respective communities and contribute to Diasporican identity production.