I took a class called the Chicano experience way back when in undergrad. We read about this Chicano kid that was brilliant and got excepted to Harvard. While he was there he encountered the stereotypes perceptions of his race. He struggled with a sense of identity and finally robbed a bank and went to jail. The idea was that the stress of being one of two or three Latinos at that level of education got to him and he resorted to doing "what Latinos do" i.e. life of crime. That was what was expected of him. My thoughts after reading it where, oh man, this kid had such a chance to do so much and he wasted it. Now being in an institution of higher education I see it.
I read a story about a 17 year old kid from a broken home going to jail for some violent act. It seems that the words "broken home" sting me. I know what its like and how hard it is especially at that age.
I went to a party at this girl's condo. Needless to say I have no idea how she or anyone her age would afford such a place. I was uncomfortable. They had granite counter tops through out the condo. I have usually entered such places in the capacity as a laborer and not as an invited guest. I also went to the condo of one of my classmates. It was two blocks from school which is a very nice area. His parents bought it for him to live in during law school. I find myself part of a world that is alien to me. I don't know how to make the adaptation from where I'm from to the new world I'm going of which, I am forging a way in. I know realize the difficulty that the Harvard Latino must have faced. Fish outta wata.
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So true. Great post. Reminds me of a couple of things. First, it reminds me of a great essay I read by author/feminist/intelluctual bell hooks about her difficulty in transitioning from being a poor black girl from the segregated south to the upper echolon of society as a student at Stanford University. I wish I remembered the name of the essay. Second, it reminds me of an incident in our neighborhood last spring. A Native American kid studying economics at Harvard was shot and killed a couple of blocks from our apartment. He was home during a break from school and was tagging a house. It was so tragic.
On the other hand however, there are also plenty of people who also make the transition successfully. My father in law, Biggie T, for example. He grew up on the complete opposite end of the socio-economic spectrum from where he now finds himself.
I wonder what the difference between the ones who make it and those who come so close only to self-implode is. Keep on swimming buddy.
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