Historica Wiki
Advertisement
Anita Palacio

Anita Palacio was a Puerto Rican-American woman who lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City during the 1950s. She emigrated to the United States and fell in love with fellow Puerto Rican immigrant Bernardo Nunez, with whom she lived; she also befriended Bernardo's sister Maria Nunez. While Bernardo had an unfavorable view of America due to the racism and economic marginalization Puerto Ricans experienced, Palacio initially had a glowing view of America as a "land of opportunity". This changed after Bernardo - leader of the "Sharks" gang - was murdered by the white "Jets" gang in a "rumble", and after she was nearly raped by the Jets while attempting to arrange a liaison between Maria and her lover Tony Wyzek at Doc's pharmacy; Wyzek, who was hiding out in the basement, never met with Anita, as he could not hear the commotion upstairs. Anita, seeking vengeance, had the shop's owner Valentina tell Tony that Maria's suitor Chino Martin had shot her on discovering her affair with Tony, leading to a suicidal Wyzek wandering the streets until he could be shot dead by Chino. Palacio gave up on her "American Dream" and returned to Puerto Rico, disillusioned with the mainland.

Advertisement