Piri Thomas

Thursday, October 20, 2011


PUERTO RICAN LEGEND AND ICON , PIRI THOMAS ,
PASSES ON TO THAT BARRIO IN THE SKY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

TheBochinche was first introduced to the great Piri Thomas in the form of " Down These Mean Streets " , a very inspirational book that really let me know that I and all the things I was feeling , was NOT alone . This is not about me though ............. Piri Thomas was a gangster , a thug and a criminal BUT he was also an activist , a philosopher , a writer and a teacher , both , of students and of life . The man was born in 1928 and from the start , he was a different sort . At an early age he knew what he liked and unfortunately at an
early age he knew what he disliked , the terrible way Blacks and Puerto Ricans were treated in this cold new land known as New York . Piri also knew that the traditional way of the peoples , to come to New York and get jobs as Maintenance men and Waiters , was NOT for him so he got wit' a sick tight click and they went
all out in New York City hemming people up .

Until he got caught ........Piri realized jail is not for him and while serving his time , changes the game
completely and gets an education and starts down the road that we all know today . Himself a Puerto Rican Legend and Icon , Felipe Luciano , when asked to comment on Piris' untimely passing , had this to say . " there is no one in Contemporary Puerto Rican History or Culture who means as much to the Island as well as to Stateside Puerto Ricans " El Señor Luciano went on to say ," Piri's masterpiece, Down these Mean Streets , jarred the conciousness of millions , his biting analysis of tact , color and conciousness revealed ourselves to ourselves .

That he had an impact on the outside world was important but not as important as the impact he had on us . His first passion was to grab us by the shoulders and scream " Wake the FUCK UP !!!!!!!! "" . Never forget the lessons from the Great Piri Thomas , You are Great ,You are Important and You have so much to do ....... We should ALL live by that !!!!!!!!!!! We miss you and we will ALWAYS remember you and all that you have given us !!!!!!! To the Usual readers , you know how we do ................... EVERYONE , bow your heads while holding
up your closed right POWER fist to salute the late great legend , Piri Thomas ....................
Si no sabemos nuestra historia , no sabemos NADA !!!!!!!!

That's TheBochinche !!!!!!!!!

"Literature to Life Award" to Piri Thomas from Build Pictures on Vimeo.