takes adapt to another lifestyle and play another role within society to obtain sustenance daily". The stories give a representation that accounts for its geographical area and focuses on the issues of injustice and poverty, as well as to make visible the consequences in those who suffer them. González's piece resonated with the people of Puerto Rico because his stories gave truth to what was happening. "He was able to capture the first criollismo touches that Puerto Rico knew". If the Puerto Rican society would have evolved from then on in the same way that other islands of the Caribbean, our current 'national culture' would be that popular culture of that time. Puerto Ricans after reading González's work can feel pride within their nationality, culture, and personality but they must accept that their culture comes from within American culture. Accordingly, the conversation about independence movements is impacted by González's work. "We are at a crucial moment in our history as people. A crucial moment which is more than a moment to determine our political condition. It is a moment crucial because it is time to rebuild the Puerto Rican society … but not backward, to the past … but forward, toward a future that relies on the tradition of the popular masses, rediscover and rescue the essential Caribbean of our collective identity. We must understand that the natural destiny of Puerto Rico is the same as all other insular and continental people of the Caribbean". Works Fiction En la sombra. Prologue by Carmen Alicia Cadilla. San Juan, Puerto Rico: Imp. Venezuela, 1943. Cinco cuentos de sangre. Prologue by Francisco Matos Paoli. San Juan, Puerto Rico: Imp. Venezuela, 1945. El hombre en la calle. Santurce: Puerto Rico, Bohique, 1948. Paisa —un relato de la emigración—. Prologue by Luis Enrique Délano. México: Fondo de Cultura Popular, 1950. En este lado. México: Los Presentes, 1954. La galería y otros cuentos. México: Era, 1972. Mambrú se fue a la guerra (y otros relatos). México: Joaquín Mortiz, 1972 excerpt Dunkle Nacht. (La noche en que volvimos a ser gente) in Ein neuer Name, ein fremdes Gesicht. 26 Erzählungen aus Lateinamerika. Sammlung Luchterhand, 834. Neuwied, 1987, pp 274-290 Cuento de cuentos y once más. México: Extemporáneos, 1973. En Nueva York y otras desgracias. Prologue by Ángel Rama. México: Siglo XXI, 1973. Veinte cuentos y Paisa. Prologue by Pedro Juan Soto. Río Piedras, Puerto Rico: Cultural, 1973.