ABSTRACT
In his introduction to the anthology Boricuas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings – An Anthology (1995), Roberto Santiago repeatedly mentions his schooling in Christianity, in both public and private schools, juxtaposing it to the kinds of discrimination and injustice that were typically accepted in his childhood educational environs:
In New York City I attended Xavier High School, an all boys, semi-military school run by the Jesuits. There, the priests taught me about patriotism, Christian values, and the military. I was shown a flag, told that I was an American, and that I should love my country and die for it. Then I was shown a crucifix and told I should turn the other cheek when faced with injustice. Finally, they told me that I was a Son of Xavier, that I belonged. But out in the halls I was called “nigger” and “spic” by the white boys who attended the school. And the Jesuits just looked the other way.
