Piri Thomas’s reflections over his childhood

Every child needs to express himself in order to be heard.

If a child gets rejected because of the skin-colour, language, geographic ethnicity or something else, develops a kind of anger and bitterness. Feelings that should be strange for a child.  But still it can be violent a constant growing feeling, which you can hide behind “cara de palo.” Which means a face made of tree. It has no expression, so no one can se how hurt you are because of injections and how alone you feel with knocks you have gotten. Why are you here? You should never have been born it is not your world; the world is for the others. These thoughts and questions were permanent for Piri Thomas, when he was a child.

Thomas says you learn to live in three different worlds, three homes. One of the homes is at your parents and siblings; it is a warm and safe place. It may not be rich on materialism, but spiritually viewed it is without comparison.

The other is the school. Some teachers are with best intentions and try to help you reach your potential. Some look at you as a black Latino child without opportunities; that is why you often get to mind your own business.  The third home is the street; it is the strongest and most frightening of them all. On the street you have to adapt to survive. If you walk alone, you are an easy target for others harassment and moods, so it is more secure to join a gang. But once you join the gang, you have to defend it and you have to challenge other gangs before they challenge you and your fellows. In fact, there is a fourth world according to Piri Thomas. The world is in you. A world where you can walk, talk, see, hope and pray to your God – and maybe see your own future.