Down These Mean Streets

This book falls into the category of “memoir”/“cultural beginnings in the US.”  A very popular type of read among the RAs, very much influenced by their own family heritage or that of others they learn about during their time at NYU/in NYC.  This book, Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas, tells the story of growing up in the barrio in Spanish Harlem during the 1940s/50s at the same time as the “Ozzie and Harriet” portrayal of American society.  Piri tells very different sides of life, one where racism, prejudice, drugs, and sex rue the day.  Piri faces multiple levels of discrimination as the oldest in his family being of more “African complexion” than his siblings, which leads to numerous challenges he faced as a young boy trying to make his way through a world that should you not look a certain way, you would not be accepted.  Piri turned to the peer influence that involved drugs, stealing, and unfortunate decisions at every turn.  Being the oldest, his father never paid him any attention and always felt less than what he should be.  Piri joined gangs which in turn began a spree of robberies and eventually to a shoot-out at a bar, where he shot a police officer who hung on for dear life.  Piri was sentenced to prison.  Being in jail seemed almost like one of those present day television docu-dramas telling the real story of the levels of “control” found among the prisoners. Amazing how things haven’t changed.  Piri lost his first love while in jail and turned to Islam through the influence of a prison chaplain.  Once he began to realize this was not the life he wanted to live, he conformed to the “successful” path to recovery.  After a long term in jail he was released and we are left with Piri returning to the “learned way of life in his circle.”  He was faced with returning to the same road or changing.  While it appears Piri makes the decision to change his ways, the reader realizes that one never knows and Piri could easily be back in prison once again.  Piri’s story is powerful, especially for the time in which it occurred.  Sociologist would benefit from learning another side of the 1940s “everything is wonderful” storyline.  For me, while compelling, not my favorite type of book to read.