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Scotteri Yes! I bought it for a like reason years back, then finally picked it off my shelf this morning and I've non been able to cease reading all day. Onl…more than Yes! I bought it for a similar reason years dorsum, then finally picked it off my shelf this morn and I've not been able to stop reading all day. Only about i/iii of the way in, but I actually recommend it so far.(less)

Community Reviews

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Jun 04, 2011 Osvaldo rated information technology really liked it

Four and a half stars, actually.

I wish someone had introduced me to this book when I was 14 years quondam to let me know someone else was thinking some of the crazy shit I thought and to put my own peculiar road (so different from Piri'southward) in perspective.

I read it for one field lists for my PhD in English, but I was moved by it, by Piri Thomas's vox and the questions he asks himself about race and ethnicity - about what it means to be Puerto Rican when a Puerto Rican can be black or white, but all the same

Iv and a half stars, really.

I wish someone had introduced me to this book when I was 14 years onetime to let me know someone else was thinking some of the crazy shit I thought and to put my own peculiar road (so dissimilar from Piri's) in perspective.

I read it for ane field lists for my PhD in English, but I was moved by information technology, by Piri Thomas's vocalisation and the questions he asks himself about race and ethnicity - about what information technology means to be Puerto Rican when a Puerto Rican tin exist black or white, only still never quite white in the eyes of America (simply like they are citizens, but never quite citizens).

The comparisons to The Autobiography of Malcolm X are leap to happen, but Piri'southward story is his own story and I think comparisons are unfair. Malcolm wrote from a place of cocky-assurance, I get the sense that Piri never had that balls (even in his Afterword written 30 years later) and also Malcolm too had Alex Haley to help him with his writing, Piri's voice is rawer and that gives it its own timbre that is worth listening for.

I want to teach this in a class with Black Boy and The Autobiography of Malcolm Ten and Notes from the Cloak-and-dagger.

...more

Dec 17, 2017 Sam Fertig rated it it was amazing

I'm likewise lazy to write a review of this. It's amazing, and also necessary. That is all. I'grand too lazy to write a review of this. It'south amazing, and also necessary. That is all. ...more

Piri Thomas is a immature boy who grows upward in Harlem and has to face various obstacles and is forced to make vital decisions that volition ultimately take a toll on his future. Piri witnesses the injustices and sinful behavior of anybody around him, and he must realize that survival of the fittest is essential. But how tin can he truly be "the fittest" without eventually leading himself into incarceration? Well that's nearly impossible in his generation. One of the only reasons he gets through everything Piri Thomas is a immature boy who grows upwardly in Harlem and has to face various obstacles and is forced to make vital decisions that will ultimately take a price on his future. Piri witnesses the injustices and sinful behavior of anybody around him, and he must realize that survival of the fittest is essential. Only how can he truly exist "the fittest" without somewhen leading himself into incarceration? Well that's well-nigh impossible in his generation. One of the simply reasons he gets through everything is with a sure survival tool he has adult: chameleon-like self-assertion. He doesn't necessarily become through it unharmed; he does in fact get involved with his share of violence and drugs, and eventually has run-ins with the police.

I accept mixed reactions nearly this book. I am certain that many people volition be offended by this book, due to the stereotypes portrayed in information technology. I'd say about half of the Puerto Rican population would be offended by it and the other half would be able to relate to the events in this book. I'd say I'm in between. It fabricated me slightly embarrassed to be of Puerto Rican descent due to the portrayal of Puerto Ricans in this book. But most of information technology I can relate to, being Puerto Rican and growing up in Harlem. This is a neat book no dubiety, just dissimilar people would have different reactions to it. I'd say only almost anyone who knows what it is to endure and alive in a globe of fear and temptation would enjoy this book.

...more than

Jul twenty, 2009 Patricia rated it information technology was astonishing

The primary characters of this book were Piri Thomas, his family unit, and his girlfriend Trina. This book is a truthful story about a guy, Piri Thomas growing upward and facing many problems. He grew up in Castilian Harlem. He was dealing with gangs,fights,drugs,money,criminal scenes,and much more. He has to make the right decisions when he left his parents house. An internal trouble that Piri faces is that he isn't sure if he should go on with the criminal scence to become money. An external trouble he faced was The main characters of this book were Piri Thomas, his family, and his girlfriend Trina. This book is a true story nearly a guy, Piri Thomas growing up and facing many problems. He grew up in Spanish Harlem. He was dealing with gangs,fights,drugs,coin,criminal scenes,and much more. He has to make the right decisions when he left his parents firm. An internal problem that Piri faces is that he isn't sure if he should go on with the criminal scence to get money. An external problem he faced was when he moved to a new neighborhood and these guys didnt like him because he was darker then them. They started beating him up and he defended himself.
Everyone "judges a book by its cover." No ane waits to know the person and their natiionality before but saying you're blackness or white. they but asume you are white or black because of the colour of your peel. Piri is Puerto Rican,but his skin is blackness and then all th racist people only think he is black.
I thought this volume was really really good. I liked information technology considering it was a truthful story about a life if a dark puerto rican growing up in spanish Harlem facing a lot of unlike problems. ...more than

Apr 25, 2010 David rated information technology really liked it

Chevere.

Took me forever to find this ane, but glad information technology stayed on my listing for so long. It was somewhat different than I had expected -- I imagined information technology to be more 'nearly the streets,' all drugs and crime and muddied old New York. Instead, the book is about race and identity and coming of age, and it's got a disarmingly honest, straightforward tone that made information technology fly by.

Demand to observe out what happened to Piri after his render from prison, all I really got was what the author bio told me.

Chevere.

Took me forever to notice this one, merely glad it stayed on my listing for and then long. Information technology was somewhat different than I had expected -- I imagined it to be more 'about the streets,' all drugs and offense and dirty quondam New York. Instead, the book is virtually race and identity and coming of age, and it'south got a disarmingly honest, straightforward tone that made information technology wing by.

Demand to find out what happened to Piri after his render from prison, all I really got was what the writer bio told me.

...more

I read this book years ago and I loved information technology. It is about reality, raw, unedited with how Puerto Rican's were and yet are perceived to be. A warning.. the book is very graphic in how information technology describes the struggles of daily life for the Puerto Rican male atomic number 82, simply definitely a must. Semi-biographical.

Nov 10, 2008 Fabio rated it really liked it

Down These Mean Streets
By: Piri Thomas

ISBN: 0-679-78142-0
331 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books
1967
$12.95

Downwards these hateful streets by Piri Thomas is a very interesting book. Information technology has a lot of details that would put you into the characters foot. Piri Thomas was a 12 years old kid who lived in the Castilian Harlem of New York. He grew up with his friends and they always had each others back. Piri was a boy living in a poor flat. In the winter information technology would be freezing temperature in their house. His father

Downwards These Mean Streets
By: Piri Thomas

ISBN: 0-679-78142-0
331 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books
1967
$12.95

Downwards these mean streets by Piri Thomas is a very interesting volume. It has a lot of details that would put you into the characters foot. Piri Thomas was a 12 years old kid who lived in the Spanish Harlem of New York. He grew upward with his friends and they always had each others dorsum. Piri was a boy living in a poor apartment. In the winter it would be freezing temperature in their house. His father had a job that would barely pay off for them to live. Simply then they moved into the Italian Harlem. And from there, Piri has been dealing with a lot of trouble.

This book puts y'all into the shoes of Piri Thomas. You can actually feel Piri's feelings if you read this book. Every movement and feeling he gets, you can feel it. It is amazing at how this volume puts y'all into his shoes. I estimate information technology is considering of how he uses his words. It has a dandy discussion vocabulary. When I read this book I really enjoyed it, and I am not a fan of non-fiction books.

This book likewise has a groovy story line. It puts you right into the story. Information technology puts you lot in the part where Piri had run away from home, and he doesn't really know if he should go home or if he shouldn't. And Piri is only 12 years old, and he has ran away from home, then he has probably been under a lot of bug with his life from this ane role and you tin tell because it is not probable for a 12 yr sometime male child to run away from abode.

It too shows near family and love. In the showtime of the volume, Piri wasn't really treated unremarkably. His dad didn't really show that he loved him. His mom and siblings were close. The dad actually but sat and watched tv set and demanded things. He likewise had a curt temper. He never really showed Piri and his family unit that he loved them, but when Piri was in a lot of trouble, he did everything to aid Piri out in fourth dimension of need. Even though he showed information technology in a rough way, he stilled loved his family.

This volume is full of many more thriving situations. It is filled with pictures made past the text. The story line just gets better as it goes. And even though you won't notice it, the family will love each other. And and then volition other people as they meet up. And this volume is a book that I recommend for people who really like life situations and books that are realistic.

...more

Mar 03, 2019 Asha rated it really liked it

The book :
, is very well written,very visual, you feel like you are on the streets with the author. Also despite knowing the story, each affiliate is an unexpected series of events.

The story, :
a semi autobiographical story of Piri Thomas a Puerto Rican who gets caught upward in the street in 1940'southward - 1950's including gangs, prison etc. However despite well-nigh descriptions, Piri bug aren't due to per se, living i the ghetto or poverty or family dysfunction ( although they create a perfect setting) Information technology

The book :
, is very well written,very visual, you feel similar you are on the streets with the writer. Also despite knowing the story, each chapter is an unexpected series of events.

The story, :
a semi autobiographical story of Piri Thomas a Puerto Rican who gets caught upwardly in the street in 1940's - 1950'due south including gangs, prison etc. However despite most descriptions, Piri bug aren't due to per se, living i the ghetto or poverty or family dysfunction ( although they create a perfect setting) It is a psychological circuitous of rejection and acceptance. He experiences rejection from schoolhouse,girls jobs etc, largely related to his skin color. Just he is not prepared for this ( or expecting) like his " Negro friends" because he is " non a Black but a Puerto Rican" Afro - Latino pride is not exactly a thing even so. He literally relives these rejections in his caput over and over which leads him to poor choices to bear witness credence by neighbors or the boys. His complex is only worsened by his Latino family who of course don't discuss race or his darkness and does non validate his anxieties.
Anyway these issues button him to heroin , robbery and prison. Non until the latter, does he starts to look at life differently .

The significant:
The book gave practiced insight into the psychology of boys of color who fall into dysfunction, not being able to cope with a rejecting society. I think information technology's a good volume for word with young men and parents should read also .

...more than

Mar 02, 2012 Dayanara rated it it was amazing

This book is truly astonishing. It showtime caught my eye considering it was about a Puerto Rican and as a Puero Rican myself, it loved to come across what my own kind take been through before i was born. This book talks about a young male child who goes through many bug in his life and tries to overcome it by changing his means. I liked the fashion the author incorporated his spanish slang into information technology. In the get-go i truly did like the graphic symbol, only later getting deeper and deeper into the book, i realized the characte This book is truly amazing. It first caught my eye because it was about a Puerto Rican and as a Puero Rican myself, information technology loved to see what my own kind accept been through before i was born. This book talks about a immature male child who goes through many issues in his life and tries to overcome information technology by changing his ways. I liked the fashion the author incorporated his spanish slang into it. In the starting time i truly did like the character, simply after getting deeper and deeper into the volume, i realized the character was changing to fit in. He wasnt being true to himself and it disappointed me that someone the same nationality as me would alter who he is to make others happy. I would non alter who i am for someone elses happyness. I recommend this volume to people who are hispanic and go through problems as a immature child. People who can relate to Piri in the sense that Piri was only about 10 when his life began to become downwardly loma. Drugs and gangs got into his life at such a immature historic period that by the time he got older information technology was already to belatedly. I dont recommend this book to people who dont like reading alot and or dont similar the truth that Piri says. This book really is not bad, and if yous give it a chance you but might like it as much every bit I did. I give it 5 stars.

Have fun and savour !!!!!!!

...more than

Mar 02, 2012 Max rated it it was astonishing

The book Down These Hateful Streets is a memoir about a young Puerto Rican, named Piri Thomas, growing up in New York Urban center. The book is told from the author's perspective and he gives us a brief wait into his listen, where he argues with himself on what to practice while facing racial discrimination, a life of crime and drugs, an identity crunch, jail time and a religion conversion. After his prison sentence his perspective of things modify merely just after he finds that he is slowly going back to his old li The book Downwards These Mean Streets is a memoir about a young Puerto Rican, named Piri Thomas, growing upward in New York City. The volume is told from the author'southward perspective and he gives us a brief wait into his mind, where he argues with himself on what to do while facing racial bigotry, a life of crime and drugs, an identity crisis, jail time and a religion conversion. After his prison judgement his perspective of things modify but just subsequently he finds that he is slowly going back to his old lifestyle while on parole. The volume takes place mostly in "El Barrio" (Spanish Harlem), where he introduces you to his babyhood friends, some which he meets over again when he's older. Piri goes through virtually of the book arguing with himself whether he is a dark skinned Puerto Rican or black similar society says he is.
This book teaches a valuable lesson to young teenagers, that if you choose the same lifestyle Piri lived, you will regret many things. When he finally learns his lesson it is too late. I liked that i could relate to the book as a young hispanic growing upward in the same metropolis, but i felt like the book got boring in the middle. Overall I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend information technology to those that have extra time to read. ...more than

Feb 25, 2010 Bria rated it it was amazing

Down these mean streets is a story about a young male child growing up in spanish Harlem. We see him go through alot of trouble and pain as he travels through the art of becoming a man. The main character Piri Thomas has an acrimony problem and grows up showing lots of violence that somewhen lands him in jail. Ane of the key problems in this book is family trouble. Piri as a young boy feels that his father in some way doesn't beloved him. "Pops i wonder, how come me and you is always on the outs? Is it Down these hateful streets is a story near a young boy growing up in spanish Harlem. We see him go through alot of trouble and hurting as he travels through the art of becoming a man. The main character Piri Thomas has an acrimony problem and grows up showing lots of violence that eventually lands him in jail. One of the central problems in this book is family problem. Piri every bit a young male child feels that his father in some way doesn't love him. "Pops i wonder, how come up me and you is e'er on the outs? Is it something we don't know nothing nearly? Why exercise i experience then left outta things with you-like moms is both of you to me, like if yous and me was just an accident around here?"(pg.22). Piri'southward acrimony problem lands him in jail for six years and his family unit ultimately becomes ashamed of him. This remind me of the book Push i read by Sapphire and the principal character Precious has family issues and problems with her female parent and father and the look at her journey as she goes from a immature girl to young mother. This volume walks you through the life of a boy growing into a human and the things he had to go through to go at that place. I would reccommend this book to immature boys who are becoming men. ...more

Mar 02, 2012 Robert rated it really liked it

The volume Downward These Mean Streets is by Piri Thomas. The main topic of the book is a memoir, nigh Piri who struggles throughout the book. The book addresses many issues. One problem the book accost frequently about being prejudice and trying to overcome that problem. The setting of the book takes identify in New York,in the 20s and 30s. The chief character Piri has problems throughout the book with trusting and making executive decisions. The book is interesting in many ways because the writer sh The book Downwards These Mean Streets is by Piri Thomas. The main topic of the volume is a memoir, about Piri who struggles throughout the book. The book addresses many problems. One problem the book address ofttimes near being prejudice and trying to overcome that problem. The setting of the book takes place in New York,in the 20s and 30s. The main grapheme Piri has problems throughout the book with trusting and making executive decisions. The book is interesting in many ways because the writer shows a fourth dimension where there was a lot of prejudice people and how people reacted information technology to it. The book connects to larger issues in which people growing up and living in a time of prejudice people. The book afflicted me in which a Puerto Rican kid struggled to overcome prejudice times. The volume relates to me in which I am a Puerto Rican child and even today people still have prejudice minds against unlike people. The books positives are that it is interesting, and the graphic symbol in the volume has unique qualities. THer negatives is that it has a slow point in the book and that the volume is to long. I would recommend the book to all people because everyone can be prejudice to peoples. ...more

December 19, 2007 Alaina rated it it was ok

Recommends it for: people who like rather depressing books

I didn't peculiarly like this book... I read it for a volume report for a biography.. Information technology'due south almost a boy, Piri Thomas, in his early teens who lives in the segregated neighborhood of Spanish Harlem, also known as, El Barrio. Piri finds, fifty-fifty at a rather young age, that he has to fight to show his strength and bravery. He has to fight people who will later on become his shut friends; they accept to know that he'll be able to dorsum them upwardly and defend himself and keep his "cool". Piri is oftentimes faced with t I didn't specially like this volume... I read information technology for a book report for a biography.. It'south almost a male child, Piri Thomas, in his early teens who lives in the segregated neighborhood of Spanish Harlem, also known every bit, El Barrio. Piri finds, even at a rather young historic period, that he has to fight to evidence his strength and bravery. He has to fight people who will later become his close friends; they take to know that he'll be able to dorsum them upwardly and defend himself and keep his "cool". Piri is oftentimes faced with tough issues like racism, being caught in the centre between his Puerto Rican blood, and his appearance of beingness black. He feels like an outsider looking at his family because everyone, as well his dad, looks white. He later moves out and is faced with more and more than unsafe issues like dealing and using drugs, and armed robbery. This book is a door into things that to me, were never given in a real context or perspective. Information technology tells about a life on the street and how ane matter, equally uncomplicated as the color of his skin and difference in his linguistic communication set him autonomously. ...more

Mar 02, 2012 Weisley rated it really liked information technology

Downwardly These Hateful Streets by Piri Thomas. This volume is a memoir most a kid growing up in castilian Harlem.
This volume takes place in Spanish Harlem, the main character Piri he has issues with his father and having difficult time to connect.
This book is fairly good and interesting to read mainly considering this book has a lot of drama and Piri wants to solve his problems without whatever assistance from anyone.This volume affected me in many ways because Piri started smoking and joined a gang which surprised me. Th Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas. This book is a memoir about a child growing up in spanish Harlem.
This book takes place in Spanish Harlem, the principal character Piri he has problems with his father and having difficult fourth dimension to connect.
This book is adequately skilful and interesting to read mainly considering this book has a lot of drama and Piri wants to solve his problems without whatever help from anyone.This book affected me in many ways because Piri started smoking and joined a gang which surprised me. This sort of relates to other people considering people makes many mistakes in they're in a very short amount of time. The writing fashion of the book is unique because it has some Castilian discussion and profanity in the book which really defenseless my attention. Piri is likable considering he goes through a lot and makes bad decisions because he doesn't have a role model to follow. I recommend this book to mostly to teenagers considering a lot of teens accept this problem and they can relate to information technology and run into what he does to solve his issues ...more

I was ill last calendar week so I picked up some light uplifting reading at the library for an extended stay in bed. Piri Thomas' Down These Mean Streets, being i of the books. I'd read it years ago, and then was recently reminded of it past a fellow goodreader, and then I decided to endeavour information technology again. Seriously, it is a well crafted, well written, highly observant, and intelligent book. Thomas wrote this in 1960's, it was published in '67 – and really since then what has inverse? Maybe the current drug of choice I was sick last week so I picked upwardly some low-cal uplifting reading at the library for an extended stay in bed. Piri Thomas' Down These Mean Streets, being ane of the books. I'd read information technology years ago, and then was recently reminded of it past a fellow goodreader, so I decided to try it over again. Seriously, information technology is a well crafted, well written, highly observant, and intelligent book. Thomas wrote this in 1960'south, it was published in '67 – and really since then what has changed? Maybe the current drug of choice and the gentrified neighborhood. Only certainly non the racism, classism, or the hatred. Just it's Thomas' ability to look within, to enquire the difficult questions, and to know the answers when he feels their truth that really make his book what it is – a defining depiction of a time, identify, and consciousness. ...more

For me, this volume is near symmetry. This 30th Anniversary Edition was published about 19 years ago - roughly a yr before the two oldest girls in our book club for incarcerated youth were born. This is the terminal book they've read with the guild, every bit they will be transferred to adult units inside the adjacent calendar month. I have my opinions, merely wait theirs and how this aligns, intersects and diverges from their experience. It all rings true, notwithstanding I desire to know their assessment as women who are fifty-fifty more than For me, this book is well-nigh symmetry. This 30th Ceremony Edition was published most 19 years agone - roughly a twelvemonth before the two oldest girls in our volume club for incarcerated youth were built-in. This is the last book they've read with the gild, as they will be transferred to adult units within the next month. I take my opinions, simply wait theirs and how this aligns, intersects and diverges from their experience. It all rings truthful, yet I desire to know their cess equally women who are even more thrown abroad and chewed up in this world he describes that did the aforementioned for him as he also did the same with and to himself and others. Also interested in the discussion it will generate amongst those who are immature, blackness and brown and those in the unit who are black within brown, brown within black and accept plant themselves being treated as neither. It'south a classic for a reason. ...more

Mar 02, 2012 Andy rated it really liked it

This is a dandy book, i enjoy reading it,because it makes me wonder whats going to happen next and keeps me reading it and not wanting to stop.
This volume connects to lots of larger issues that happens to young teens,growing up in neighborhoods where all you meet is violence and drugs.
This volume tin can perfectly be described as how hard it is for a young teen to grow upwardly when he feels like he is alone in a common cold new world.
Some positive things about this book is that the capacity has titles that give's yo This is a great volume, i enjoy reading it,considering it makes me wonder whats going to happen next and keeps me reading information technology and not wanting to stop.
This book connects to lots of larger problems that happens to young teens,growing up in neighborhoods where all y'all encounter is violence and drugs.
This book can perfectly be described as how hard it is for a young teen to grow up when he feels like he is alone in a common cold new world.
Some positive things about this book is that the chapters has titles that give's you lot something to think about and i dearest the fact that i tin can relate to this volume somehow, considering information technology explains of certain conflicts a young teen faces while growing upward.
I dislike that the book is sort of long but at the end its worth reading. ...more than

May xiv, 2012 Santos rated it actually liked it

In Down These Mean streets I learned that it takes a lot of work to notice your mistakes. In the book piri learned from his mistakes becuase he went to jail and then realize that what he did was terrible. I would say that he grew as a person, that he would'nt practise the same thing once again. This book made me realize that I should'nt practice what he did so I won't get thrown in jail. I would recommed this book to evey person considering it help me and it will help anybody else. I actually like this book and everyb In Downwards These Mean streets I learned that it takes a lot of work to notice your mistakes. In the book piri learned from his mistakes becuase he went to jail so realize that what he did was terrible. I would say that he grew equally a person, that he would'nt exercise the aforementioned thing once again. This book fabricated me realize that I should'nt exercise what he did so I won't go thrown in jail. I would recommed this book to evey person because it help me and it volition help anybody else. I really like this book and everybody should read this book. ...more

Jul 12, 2007 Dani rated it information technology was astonishing

Recommends it for: Latino Literature fans

When I picked up this book at the bookstore, I could non put it down. I walked out the store with the book open and finished reading this book a few days subsequently. All the stories of Piri's youth pulled me into his world. I felt equally though I was the one growing up during his time. In that location were many themes that I could personally relate to, themes of prejudice, racism and struggle. This book is surely a book that will make you experience his joy and pain. When I picked upward this volume at the bookstore, I could not put it downward. I walked out the store with the book open and finished reading this book a few days later. All the stories of Piri's youth pulled me into his earth. I felt as though I was the one growing up during his time. There were many themes that I could personally relate to, themes of prejudice, racism and struggle. This book is surely a volume that will brand yous experience his joy and pain. ...more

HEY MY NAME IS TANEYSHA AND I LOVE TO READ.THIS Volume I READ WAS IN DETENTION ONE DAY CUZ IT LOOK MAD INTERESTING FROM THE COVER THE Style THE STREET LOOKS.Too THIS BOOK SHOWS TO MUCH BAD LANGUAGE WORDS THAT I USE WHEN I AM MAD.THIS Book SHOWS You lot THE BAD WAY TO SOLVE Issues. I WOULD NEVER SOLVE Bug THAT WAY LIKE CRUSING AND OTHER STUFF.WOULD You lot SLOVE Bug LIKE THAT By CRUSING OUT A PRESON?

CRAZY!!!!!!!!

May 14, 2012 Cynthia rated information technology liked it

The book "Down These Mean Streets" was the first book I've read about a kid like Piri Thomas. Piri was going through poverty and racism. The volume embrace reminded me of Brooklyn that's why I chose it. Honestly, at that place were some parts where the same events happened constantly. There were some thrilling events. I wouldn't observe myself reading another book similar this one. It was by and large almost drugs, street fighting, and robbery. The book "Downwards These Mean Streets" was the first book I've read almost a child like Piri Thomas. Piri was going through poverty and racism. The volume encompass reminded me of Brooklyn that'due south why I chose it. Honestly, in that location were some parts where the same events happened constantly. There were some thrilling events. I wouldn't find myself reading another book similar this one. It was mostly about drugs, street fighting, and robbery. ...more than

Apr xi, 2018 teddy rated it actually liked it

This was required reading for class just it was a expert read. I don't even know how to review this because its in no manner the perfect volume, but information technology so interesting to look at how Piri deals with his masculinity and his race (or denial of his race, if y'all will) and then many other bug. Likewise this book sadly says a lot about u.s.a. latinxs. I don't really know what else to say... cksfjfkdj. It's a quick read, and so if you're interested in Nuyorican identity/Piri's life so give information technology a go.

Finished re-reading Downwards These Hateful Streets, by Piri Thomas, this morning. I love this volume! One of my favorites. A loving, honest, fell and tender coming of historic period story about a young Afro-Latino coming of historic period in Harlem, NYC during the depression. So long ago just many things remain the same. A powerful depiction of the beauty and challenge of beingness of i people, looking similar another and loving both with your center and soul. I highly recommend this book! Chèvre ❤️

Apr 03, 2014 Michael rated information technology liked it

The book was ok. I don't agree with the "fight hate with hate" mentality. The story is ok, only who knows how much is truthful. A autobiography from a guy that apparently had identity bug. And blamed everyone else. In trying to prove how "tough" he was.... He only proved how weak he is. It seems he may take figured that out later in life. The book was ok. I don't agree with the "fight hate with hate" mentality. The story is ok, but who knows how much is true. A autobiography from a guy that obviously had identity bug. And blamed everyone else. In trying to testify how "tough" he was.... He only proved how weak he is. It seems he may accept figured that out later on in life. ...more

I picked this book to finish out my reading challenge. Turned out to be one of my favorites. It's very real and the characters are well defined. There is some strong language, and so when I used excerpts from it, I had to mark out some words. Very relatable text for urban kids, even though it is virtually 50 years quondam. I picked this book to finish out my reading challenge. Turned out to be 1 of my favorites. It's very real and the characters are well defined. In that location is some stiff language, so when I used excerpts from it, I had to marker out some words. Very relatable text for urban kids, even though it is nigh 50 years old. ...more than

Sep 25, 2015 Griffin rated it liked information technology

Compelling and with incredible relevance,
Thomas' portrait of the trials inherent in minority racial identity and hetero-masculinity in the U.South. is profound.
However, the work is unapologetic in its rampant misogyny, making it an important read, but not an inspiring 1. Compelling and with incredible relevance,
Thomas' portrait of the trials inherent in minority racial identity and hetero-masculinity in the U.S. is profound.
However, the work is unapologetic in its rampant misogyny, making information technology an important read, just not an inspiring one. ...more than

Wow, what a book! This book is about Piri Thomas when he was a fiddling boy about 12 years sometime. The story start takes place in Spanish Harlem. This was an inspiring book because I know what the life it is like to struggle. Thomas's male parent is diligent, but it isn't enough to support his family. So him and his family unit struggle for a while. Throughout the book there are knuckleheads that continuously bother Thomas! Most of the time it is because they effigy he's black instead of Puerto Rican. Thomas t Wow, what a volume! This book is about Piri Thomas when he was a piddling male child about 12 years sometime. The story start takes place in Spanish Harlem. This was an inspiring book because I know what the life information technology is like to struggle. Thomas's father is diligent, but information technology isn't enough to support his family. So him and his family struggle for a while. Throughout the book there are knuckleheads that continuously bother Thomas! Most of the time it is because they figure he's black instead of Puerto Rican. Thomas tries to ignore them and stay away for a while, until one day he was sick of information technology and approached these "slap-up like" kids. Unfortunately he got into a brawl with them. Which ended up Thomas in the hospital! This was sad but it kind of earned him respect, therefore he accumulated new friends. After a while Thomas's dad is able to motility them into a pocket-sized more sufficient house in Long Isle. Which I figured must have been great! In this case Thomas did not see it the same way that I saw it. For some reason Thomas hated the environment! Leading him to alive back in Castilian Harlem where he faced even more than depressing conflicts. At this bespeak of the book I was already touched for the fact that I went through a lot similar that back in the Bronx. I actually used to work in Spanish Harlem as well. The streets was a hard identify and it always tried to drag you down! Whether it was fights, drugs, violence, bullies, or it was just hard to make a stable living. Information technology was also difficult for me to stay as focused in schoolhouse then as I am now here in Connecticut. Only deviation is Thomas disliked Long Isle where in my point of view, I dear where I am at at present. Yes its a lot different and I feel like the odd one sometimes but its a way more productive place for me I hope I never take to go back to the Bronx to alive. I immediately saw this place as a mode out! and so that's a big way I connected with this story! Equally Thomas came across many more problems, he figured he can set up it by traveling with his friend Brew down due south. The reason beingness was because Thomas figured if he went down southward he would tell if he is looked at as a black person or not. Beingness that this fourth dimension period was during segregation. Every bit Thomas goes nigh this journey he sees how people treat him. These People brainstorm to treat him as if he is indeed a black male, when in reality he is Puerto Rican. Thomas dislikes this very much! Although this breaks him, he strives to brand it a goal to prove he isn't blackness! Thomas goes nearly this goal in various of ways. But the one thing I generally remember is when he acted as if he could not speak any English in order to bear witness that he isn't blackness at all but Spanish. Puerto Rican to be specific. As this was happening, something strange happens! His friend Brew disappears which was odd for the fact that Brew was his shut friend and would always be at that place for him. This concerns Thomas but he can only testify information technology so much attending. So after this odd occasion, Thomas goes to visit his aunt dorsum in Castilian Harlem. Every bit he gets back to Spanish Harlem Thomas is sadly told that his female parent has been ill. This creates Thomas to be emotional. Shortly after his mother then passes away. Which was ane of the biggest, saddest, emotional parts for me. I can likewise relate to this considering last year unfortunately I lost my begetter. And things like this always happens at a bad moment. I strongly felt the hurting that Thomas was going through. I still suffer and become sad from my fathers death. Especially when his birthday just recently passed on march 27. and then I strongly chronicle to a lot. Even losing friends similar he did, when you demand them almost. After his mothers expiry, Thomas goes back to Long Isle to live with his father. But months later Thomas and his father gets into a huge statement about his "matter" which leads Thomas to go back to Spanish Harlem. As y'all tin see Thomas is constantly Moving around from identify to place which is very stressful as well which continued to me too. Me and my little family unit always had to move at times in order to stay stable but at times things wouldn't turn out well for us then I know how it feels to move from identify to place. Sometimes you wouldn't fifty-fifty take a identify to get to and end upwardly at a shelter. Which is the final identify you lot e'er want to be. Unfortunately this stress caused Thomas to practise bad. He began using drugs consecutively to where he became addicted. And drugs relating to habit changes people and provokes you to do things you don't want to! I've seen this happen enough of times in the Bronx, And sadly it would be young teens throwing in that location life away. And sure enough what does drugs provoke yous to practise? Either crimes, sell drugs and end up in jail. Unfortunately this was the instance for Thomas. He ends upwards hanging with the wrong oversupply and steals with a bunch of guys. Sadly he even ends up shooting a police officer! Which presently winded him upwardly in jail of course. I tin can never imagine how hard this was for him! That must been one of the most scariest times of his life! He explains how horrible it was. You would obviously recall its considering of all the drama jail can bring. Information technology was really because of how bored he was during that stay! Trina was really a girl He met in Harlem, was the only thing that was helping him get through that boring, horrible, terrifying stay at that jail. For the unproblematic fact that he was madly in love with her! There relationship was pretty long, this being so, Thomas couldn't puzzle together how can he do all those years (15 years) without her. He continues to stay away from trouble. Right when he figures things cant go whatever worse, he is told that Trina gets married with another! Although this was terrifying for both me and Thomas, Thomas manages to hold himself together. He ends up getting out by the time he is 28. This story was astonishing for the uncomplicated fact that it can chronicle to so many others such as myself. And can prove people to keep striving that they aren't lone. As well as show the negative outcomes of drugs to show people drugs isn't worth turning to in gild to face your problems. It will only make things worse. Instead employ your bug to an extent, to make you the strongest person you lot can go, and also can requite you wisdom. One matter my father always said that this volume reminded me of, instead of saying bye he would say "likewise". He used this terminology to tell people be wise and brand smart decisions, run across you soon. Thomas ended up moving back in with his aunt in the stop. An amazing memoir written by Piri Thomas. ...more than

Jun 09, 2011 Stephen rated information technology liked it

"Downward These Mean Streets" gets y'all three books for the price of one.

The first volume is true to its title: a young man's coming of age forth the dangerous byways of Spanish Harlem.

Here we see the perils associated with traversing the concrete jungle, the need for toughness and concomitant expiry of tenderness in youth.

Author Piri Thomas details what life was similar for Puerto Ricans moving into what had been an Italian neighborhood and the Italians' response to their displacement.

Thomas was built-in i

"Down These Mean Streets" gets yous three books for the price of 1.

The get-go book is true to its title: a fellow's coming of age along the dangerous byways of Castilian Harlem.

Here we encounter the perils associated with traversing the concrete jungle, the need for toughness and concomitant death of tenderness in youth.

Writer Piri Thomas details what life was like for Puerto Ricans moving into what had been an Italian neighborhood and the Italians' response to their deportation.

Thomas was born in the 1920s, so that the time covered here ranges from the '30s to, peradventure, the early on '50s, rendering his one time hip rail of new-lit jargon and streetjabber something of a timepiece.

Thomas' novel came out in 1967 and one can imagine the liberal chic set of Mayor John Lindsay'south New York jumping similar cats to nip at his rough-edged peek beneath the shiny Big Apple's pare.

Although this kind of literature has become stock in the book trade (James Frey anyone?), Thomas' autobiographical recounting of life among the crude Puerto Rican boys on his street can still shock.

His detached clarification of when the bored kids willingly go upwardly to the flat of some transvestites for homosexual interaction, pot, and booze, is rather hitting and unsettling.

The second "book" deals with immature Piri'due south identity crunch. One which can be extended to all the Puerto Ricans of his time.

highwayscribery is ignorant of what they are thinking today, but in Thomas'southward time, there was much ado over peel color, the islanders running from evening blackness to lily white as they practise.

Thomas' trouble was that he was darker, while his brothers were white. As a Puerto Rican, he did not, at starting time, view himself as being in the same boat equally the African-Americans with whom his people crowded Harlem.

But when the family makes an escape to suburban Long Isle, Piri comes in for a bit of a daze, and slinks back to "El Barrio" with a severe chip on his shoulder and a deeper sense of shared experience with the American Negro.

This effect is aired-out in discussions with folks of different peel pigmentation, each of whom expresses a unique agreement of the related questions. For this reviewer, it went on a piffling too long, and seemed a picayune cocky-indulgent.

Especially for a immature man confronted with the serious matter of economic survival in a brutal and unforgiving metropolis.

Nonetheless, Thomas' youthful obsession generates an anger which serves as bridge to the third book, which is a jail tale.

Identity issues unresolved, his skin color serving him poorly in prejudiced urban center, the young man goes on a law-breaking spree, again remarkable for its thing-of-fact execution, which lands him in the state penitentiary.

Perhaps it was novel at the time, only today his efforts to maintain a tough guy's rep -- primarily to avoid being sodomized by bigger, harder criminals (no pun intended) -- while rehabilitating himself with a little Nation of Islam cant and some in-house masonry preparation are now familiar fodder.

Thomas' try to forge a street-seasoned prose is uneven. He never really finds a groove and seems almost relieved to let more articulate characters do some of the heavy lifting where the expression of complex ideas is involved.

Nonetheless, he succeeds in engaging the reader, pulling of that time-tested flim-flam of getting people to root for a guy doing bad things, past peeling back the hard layers and revealing a man and worthy heart.

...more than

What was the title of the book?
Down These Mean Streets

Who was the author of the volume?
Piri Thomas

What genre was the book?
memoir

Who were the primary characters in the book?
Piri Thomas and his family

What was the main conflict in the book?
Piri Thomas goig to jail

Give a brief summary of the volume you completed. Be certain to include the first, climax and resolution from the volume (if applicable).
What was the championship of the book?

Down These Mean Streets past Piri Thomas is a memoir virtually Piri Thomas' lif

What was the title of the volume?
Down These Mean Streets

Who was the author of the volume?
Piri Thomas

What genre was the volume?
memoir

Who were the principal characters in the book?
Piri Thomas and his family

What was the main conflict in the book?
Piri Thomas goig to jail

Give a brief summary of the book y'all completed. Be sure to include the starting time, climax and resolution from the book (if applicable).
What was the title of the book?

Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas is a memoir well-nigh Piri Thomas' life. In this volume, Thomas starts out when he is twelve years sometime living in Spanish Harlem. The book is broken down into three sections overall: life between Harlem and Long Island, Down South, and Prison. In the beginning section, Piri is living in Harlem with his family. His father is working but does not earn enough money to give his family practiced living weather. Piri explains the environment by saying how common cold it gets in the winter and how difficult it is to live like that. Afterwards, Piri's male parent gets another task and is finally able to motility his family out of the bad conditions of Harlem and into Long Isle in a modest house. Before leaving Harlem, Piri has a series of issues with the kids on the block because they think he is not Puerto Rican but blackness. After some fourth dimension of trying to avoid them, Piri finally confronts them and has a fight with them, leading him to the hospital. Afterwards this fight, Piri earns a reputation and new friends. When Piri and his family unit moved to Long Isle, he hates the environment. This hate for Long Isle brings Piri back to Harlem, where he has more personal conflicts regarding his skin color. To solve these conflicts, Piri decides to get Down South with his friend, Brew. He thinks that past going down south and being in the middle of segregation, he volition be able to see whether or not he is considered blackness. Piri is witness of how people treat him because they call back he is black, yet he is adamant to prove to others and to himself as well that he is just a nighttime Puerto Rican, non black. Piri goes to extremes to prove this, including pretending not to speak English then that it would exist more believable that he is Puerto Rican. Subsequently this experience, Brew disappears and Piri decides to get back to Harlem to visit his aunt. When he gets back to Harlem, Piri is told that his mother is ill. After his mother's death, Piri goes dorsum to Long Isle to live with his father. A couple of months later, Piri gets into a fight with his father nigh his affair. Due to this, Piri goes back to Harlem. From here, Piri's life goes downhill: he starts to use drugs excessively to a betoken of addiction, steals with a group of people, and fifty-fifty shoots a police officeholder. This brings Piri to jail. In jail, Piri talks nigh how horrible his stay there is, not because of the troubles that a place like this can bring, but because of how bored he is. Trina, a girl he met in Harlem, is the but thing that is keeping Piri alive. Piri has been in love with her since the first time he met her, and their relationship went on for years. All Piri thinks about is how long fifteen years in jail are without her. He tries to stay out of trouble until he is told that Trina got married. Still, Piri manages to get out past the fourth dimension he is 28. When he is let out of prison, he moves in with his aunt.

...more than

Piri Thomas (built-in Juan Pedro Tomas September 10, 1928 in Spanish Harlem in New York City) was a Puerto Rican-Cuban who was influential in the Nuyorican Movement as a writer and poet.

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"Mira, I wanna tell you something. I ain't got time to tell you what I should've when I had fourth dimension, but I dig yous a whole lot." "Deeg y'all?" she asked, puzzled. I explained to her what it meant and told her that I would write information technology to her in Spanish and say it similar information technology was." — 4 likes

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