On growing up with 'America'.

The article focuses on the cultural impact and complexities of the 1961 film adaptation of *West Side Story*, particularly through Rita Moreno's Oscar-winning portrayal of Anita, the only Puerto Rican lead in a story set in a Puerto Rican New York City community. It explores how the musical, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, reflects assimilationist themes shaped by its white American creators, which has led to criticism from Puerto Rican activists and scholars for perpetuating stereotypes. The author recounts a personal journey of admiration for Moreno's performance and the musical's choreography, alongside a growing awareness of its limitations and the disconnect between its portrayal and authentic Puerto Rican experiences. The article also notes efforts in Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake to address these issues by casting Puerto Rican actors and incorporating untranslated Spanish, while acknowledging the story's origins remain rooted in white American perspectives.