Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us by learning more about the history of Puerto Rico through, Rebellious Rhythms: Exploring Puerto Rican History Through Reggaetón, an interactive public history series making Puerto Rican history accessible to the public by examining the island’s political and social history through the lens of reggaetón music — a genre historically marginalized yet deeply rooted in narratives of resistance, cultural expression, and community identity.

Attend all three sessions in the series or just one!

Session 1, October 4: Flashback to 1868–1930s: El Grito de Lares to the Ponce Massacre

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.

Session 2: 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.

Session 3: 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.