Manual Cabranes, a lifelong Puerto Rican public servant and advocate, has written a memoir that is a series of vignettes about his life. The book, titled From Puerto Rico to New York, was completed in a first draft before his death in 1984, and has now been translated into English and published by his son, José.
A Life of Service
Cabranes’ story is one of a life spent in service to his community. He rose from junior high school principal to social worker to administrator, and eventually became a consultant to the commissioner of welfare in New York City. He also served on boards of various social service organizations and was a trustee.
Throughout his life, Cabranes was driven by a sense of dual loyalty to both Puerto Rico and the United States. This tension is evident in his writing, as he navigates the complexities of his own identity and the changing world around him.
The book is a glimpse into a life that was marked by both triumph and struggle. Cabranes’ experiences as a Puerto Rican in the United States are a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by immigrant communities, and the importance of perseverance and determination.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
