Do you remember the first book that you ever read? I still do, the first book I read was “Down These Mean Streets” by Piri Thomas. You should have seen the look of marvel on my face as I spoke with the Urban Jibaro and he told me that the last show Piri performed at was Capicu. My heart raced, the peach fuzz stood up on my arms, and I felt proud yet reflective. Proud because I had been to a show that Piri had graced, reflective because I didn’t see it and unfortunately I never will.
So let’s talk about Piri Thomas and “Down These Mean Streets.” I think I may have been 14 years old when I first read the book; it was recommended to me by a counselor I was seeing at the time. Though the book feels like a distant memory to me nowadays, I feel like I knew Piri and saw him live his life.
If you don’t already know, Piri Thomas is a notable figure among Latinos, but he wasn’t always one. He was once a young man who faced serious hardships involving gangs, violence, and struggle, which ultimately led him to prison. Remarkably, he later turned his life around and became one of the most well-known Latino voices in recent history. If that isn’t an inspiring story, then I’m not sure what is.
Coming from a Puerto Rican mother and a Cuban father, Piri was born with very dark skin. Latinos come in a wide variety of appearances. For example, Puerto Ricans can have blonde hair and blue eyes appearing quite Caucasian, or may look like West Indians with dark straight hair and olive skin, or display African features, or any combination of these.
During the time when Piri was a young man, discrimination based on skin color was a very real challenge. As a dark-skinned youth, he faced significant difficulties growing up. More troubling was that he believed he experienced unfair treatment within his own family because of his darker skin and facial features. Facing this kind of treatment is always difficult, and it must have been especially painful to experience it within one’s own home.
Trying to cover all the details of this book now, so long after I read it, wouldn’t do justice to Piri and his legacy. The goal of this article is to remind or inform you that the book exists, that it is powerful, and if you’ve never read it, you should. Many people know Piri as a poet, but he was much more than that. In “Down These Mean Streets,” he shares the remarkable story of his life. I remember being a young man and the impact this book had on me.
It is a must-read for all Latinos, young and old, and an important read for any fan of Piri Thomas.
Rest in peace, my brother.
This post originally appeared on Sofrito for your soul!
Read more: http://www.sofritoforyoursoul.com/the-first-book-i-ever-read-down-these-mean-streets/#ixzz2wjRYaYn5
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