Latino culture is under siege from Network Television, and various entities in mass media to conform to numerous stereotypes which not only prevent us from seeing the big picture, but keep us at the bottom of American economic culture. Higher education is the only outlet which will elevate our class status, and make us a viable and unified political force.

I never meant to imply that Chol@s or the gang violence that is often associated with them is a positive form of resistance. Xicano Pwr’s personal testimony is an example of how painful this experience can be, not just for the immediate family but for the whole comunidad who has to live with the loss of another son(daughter)/brother(sister)/prim@/homie in mind. In this case, gang violence can very much be just as destructive as the white-supremacist system that promotes it. It certainly is for the families who are suffering from the death of their loved one and probably even trying to seek revenge for it.

In my earlier comment, I mentioned that it was a fortunate thing for our youth to be creating alternative forms of resistance like gang kinship because I honestly believe that many of them are only seeking for the right to be a part of something larger than themselves in a society that is constantly trying to negate their very existence. I guess I just didn’t want to further criminalize our Chol@ youth cuz I remain grounded on the belief that the source of our problem is ultimately white supremacy in its most subtlest form (institutional racism). Pero tampoco voy a ser ignorante and turn a blind eye to the painful drama and violence taking place in our barrios/hoods. I am merely trying to understand it cuz I’m tired of hearing people aim the blame toward us and our “cultural pathology.”

Thanks again for your comment. It proves that this is not an easy answer issue and that our work needs to continue centering around los jovenes, which in Austin, PODER has done a very powerful job at doing.

As for you comment on wanna be gangsta’s…sad. We are living among the hip-hop generation though where all of a sudden listening to Snoop and white rappers have become the “cool” thing to do.

Is there a double-standard? Hmmm…..that is a really a hard question to answer. I am torn. I won’t lie, I am bothered at some of the videos that hypersexualize Latinas and glorify barrio living. I lived it and witnessed what it has done to mi tio y primos. One is a quadropeligic because a rival gang went to the hospital to finish the job after they already shot him. However, I also know that Latin hip hop and reggaton are products of a society that has historically objectified and demeaned women, commercialized sex, and that glorify the barrio living. If they don’t their music won’t sell.

I am glad you did bring this up because it is a discussion that should not be buried.

But then again, you could be dressed in a suit still be the biggest thief.

This sounds like a stupid theme party. If they want to experience the real thing, I doubt that these frat boys have to travel very far.