Trying this On For Size

*singing* "Taaa-iiiiiii-naaaa, Taaa-iiiiiii-naaaa, no I cant wait TO SEEEEE MY NAME IN LIGHTS!"

Who remembers this hit TV show that only lasted two seasons from the years 2001- 2002, “TAINA”?

The show was created by a Maria Perez-Brown, coinky- dink side note, my first marriage was with the last name "BROWN" *insert rolled eyes*! I am constantly reminded every time I write my children’s name on any type of application. *Facepalming as we speak* haha.

Anywho, the story line was about a young Latina teenager whose dream was to make it as an actress/singer. The beginning theme song consistently played the reverberant words of

"Taaa-iiiiiii-naaaa, Taaa-iiiiiii-naaaa, ALWAYS HAD DREAMS OF BEING A STARRRR!" This quote may not have reached a lot of young minds but at the pining age of eleven (11) and twelve (12) the same year of the terrorist attacks of 9/11- the “never forget" era; it indeed reached a lot of younnnnng minds still.

These words have always rung in my siblings’ ears and mine. I remember being in our two- bedroom apartment our mother had rented out in Hartford, CT standing in front of the huge box televisions, singing into pencils, hairbrushes or anything we could get our hands. Lip-syncing the words like we were the beautiful Taina herself, daydreaming, smiling, dancing, giggling.

The catchy theme song has always stayed with me, and still don't understand why I sing it the way I do. With the inclusion of the name "Taina". Could it be the term "warriors" I tend to refer to had anything to do with the indigenous Tainos that first inhabited the island of Puerto Rico? The island where most of my ancestors and family are from? The same island that Spaniards notoriously overran and introduced to then enslaved Tainos to enslaved Africans brought on their boats? Great culture shift that was. Good job conquistadores, because without your keen eye for wanting to make things easier for yourselves and recognizing amazingly hard workers we would not have amazing Puerto Ricans today. Just saying!

Clever story writing Mrs. Maria. In case you are reading this, I want to say in advance "you are brilliant".

There began my obsession of wanting to learn who the Tainos were, there began the realization of why my melanin also played a major role in my life. Taina, the main character in the show simply wanted to make it out, pursue her dreams and do what she loved most. Which was to sing her heart out and of course "see her name in lights". It highlights the struggles she faces in society despite how talented she was. It also shed light upon the responsibilities of a lot of the young black and brown community and how little by little they were robbed of their childhood. It showed the togetherness of a village (in this case a city), it showed the possible highs and lows of typical Latino/x community. So many factors that emphasized the determination of a group of people that were consistently discriminated against.

The goal for a lot of entertainers was to see their name in lights? To prove to their families they can take care of themselves and them in a "bigger picture" kind of way. It sure was mine.

"WAS" meaning past tense. We're going to explain in another blog as to why it is Was and not IS anymore. We realize Grace is everywhere anyhow, let's give them a taste of who we really are shall we?!

For now, remember the name "Poetic SOULdier" and yes that's with SOUL in the name. hehe. I hope you do enjoy the rollercoaster of rhymes to come, theories, unanswered questions, imagination, and experiences. I intend on putting my own name, in my own kind of lights. ;) Hope you stay for drinks after! tah-tah for now weirdos!