Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas
Study Guide
Our Prison Neighbors
This is the story of life and transformation. It starts in Spanish Harlem, El Barrio,
in 1928, travels the country, finds meaning in the prison system and speaks
powerfully to issues of justice and equity in our culture.
Study of this book provides a window into the reality of a time, place and culture
but also gives us a mirror of our own struggles and desire to find a productive
place in the world.
This book has served as the base for a two-month class at MCI – Concord,
Massachusetts. Our Study Guides are posted on our website
(www.OurPrisonNeighbors.org) so that others can use them in a group or make
them available for self study on the library shelf. There are also handouts for four
frameworks of development which serve as excellent tools for reflecting on Piri’s
development and maturation. Prisoners are also encouraged to reflect on their
own lives in terms of these frameworks. We provide composition books to use
as journals. Group members don’t often choose to share their writing but many
take notes, list vocabulary, reflect in writing or just keep a journal.
Levels and opportunities for study and learning in this book:
Racial awareness and empathy - this book has much to say about the
importance of understanding racial and cultural identity for all of us. When we
are deeply rooted in our own identity, we can recognize injustice and be allies to
other groups.
Personal awareness - through journal writing we can explore our own lives
and reflect on comparisons to Piri’s. The journals are confidential and for your
own use. If you want to share some writing, the group should respect your
confidentiality and efforts.
We will look at four models of human development; Erikson’s psychosocial stages, Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, John Fowler’s stages of
religious development and Helm’s and Cross’s stages of racial identity formation.
We can trace these stages in Malcolm’s life and reflect on them in our own.
A number of other books will be available which illustrate these forms of
development in many differing cultures and times. A goal is to read a book, or
books, from our own culture, from a different culture and from a woman’s
perspective.
As we grow in appreciation for the strength in all cultures, we will discuss
ways to be allies to each other.
Study skills - note taking, vocabulary, outlining, essay writing, memoir
writing...
Sessions
I. Introduction of the book and brainstorm what we know about the Depression
and Harlem. Information about Piri Thomas and some his poetry are available
at: http://www.cheverote.com/piri.html Read aloud some of Piri’s poems or writing
from the website and/or the Prologue to the book.
Introduce the idea that reading can be a mirror of aspects of our own lives
and/or a window into a different time and culture. Reading can allow our minds to
be free even when we are in prison. Introduce the
suggestion/challenge/assignment to read a book to deepen our own cultural
heritage, a book about another culture and a book from a woman’s point of view
(or from a man’s if it is a class of women)
Introduce the Stages of Childhood. Discuss and share examples as the
group is comfortable. It is important to stress that these are theories and that it is
believed that we can go back and make peace with difficult stages in our own
lives. Leading an examined life helps us grow to our fullest potential. It is to be
expected that the more stressful a life has been the harder it is to successfully
develop. In terms of the moral development levels, I can find examples of all of
them in my adult life. The level of my functioning varies depending on the
amount of stress in my life and just because I don’t act on all my worst impulses
doesn’t mean that I don’t have them.
Assign Chapters 1-7 pages 1-69. Hand our study questions:
Harlem
1. Cutting Out
What have we learned about the family?
Describe their relationships.
What was your family situation?
2. Rican Paradise
What were the warm family moments in this chapter?
What were some special times in your family?
3. Playing It Smooth
How does Piri’s neighborhood compare to the one where you grew up?
What were your early experiences of death?
When you were young, what did it mean to be a man?
Compare Piri’s relationship with James to one in your own family.
4. Alien Turf
Describe the process of Piri’s integration into the neighborhood?
Describe an experience you had moving into a new neighborhood.
5. Home Relief
What do you think it is like for a child to need to translate for their parents?
Think about any contact your family or friends had with social services. In
what ways is it different toady and in what ways is it the same?
6. If You Ain’t Got Heart, You Ain’t Got Nada
How does Piri use his brain to minimize his danger?
How do you think frequent moves affect children?
Describe a time you moved.
Comment on the culture of Heart as a reaction to stress.
7. Little Red Schoolhouse
This chapter goes back to a younger age. What factors make school hard for
Piri?
What was school like for you?
8. In Business
How did the kids try to earn money?
What so you think they want money for? What does it represent to them?
What roll did money play in your childhood?
Session 2
Discuss Chapters 1-7. Identify ways Piri shows or doesn’t show the
developmental levels at this time. Invite reflection on personal recollections of
this period of life. Identify sources of stress and lack of support in Piri’s life.
Assign Chapters 8-12 pages 79-128. Hand out study questions.
Suburbia
9. Babylon for the Babylonians
How did Piri and his family deal with Paulie’s death?
Have you lost a sibling?
How can the stages of Racial Identity Development help us understand what
happens in this chapter? For Piri? For Angelo?
How do you recognize allies or how can you be one?
10. But Not For Me
What might have caused Pops’s infidelity?
Why couldn’t he make a life supporting his mom and mentoring his siblings?
There are many adolescent books about young boys needing to step in to be
the dad; Old Yeller, Shilo
Harlem
11. How to Be a Negro Without Really Trying
How does Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development explain Piri’s betrayal of
Lorry and the Puerto Rican girl?
How does Mr. Christian hide his racism? Why so you think he excludes
Blacks?
12. My Marine Tiger
Trina is Piri’s first serious crush/love. How does this compare with your
experience?
How could Piri have avoided snorting heroin?
13. Hung Up Between Two Sticks
How does this chapter show the need to develop a racial identity?
Would this be needed is Piri was white?
Session 3
Discuss Chapters 8-13 as above. Pass out and discuss the Stages of
Adolescence.
Assign Chapters 14-18 pages 129-191. Hand out study questions.
Suburbia
14. Learning Some New ABCs
What examples of homophobia have we read?
How does this compare with your upbringing?
What do you think sexual identity development looks like for a minority group?
Why do you think Piri wanted to do the talking at the Merchant Marine?
15. Brothers Under the Skin
At this time the South used the ‘One Drop’ formula to determine race so
that no matter how light skinned you were, if it was known that you had
any Black ancestors, you were considered Black. In a society where you
were likely to live in the same area for generations, this had total power to
identify you.
Is Piri’s pain the idea of being Black or the family’s denial and refusal to
join him in this identification?
16. Funeral for a Prodigal Son
In what ways does Piri establish a new level of independence and maturity?
How do members of his family show respect for his desire to find his own
identity?
Down South
17. Gonna Find Out What’ Shakin’
Why is it harder to be a Black woman than a Black man?
Why does Brew become so tender to Alayce after hitting her?
What are Piri’s first lessons about being Black in the south?
18. Barroom Sociology
What might you say about the racial identity of these three men?
19. Las Aguas del Sur
Many white people claim that they are not prejudiced and that racism isn’t so
bad but are clear that they wouldn’t change their race. How does Piri indicate
this?
How is the steward an ally?
How does Piri deal with the chief mate?
What happens in the restaurant in Mobile?
What was Piri’s motivation in Texas?
What do you think might have happened to Brew?
What advice does Isaac give Piri after he fights the Swede?
Session 4
Discuss Chapters 14-18 as above.
Assign Chapters 19-23 pages 192-238. Hand out study questions.
Harlem
20. Home, Sweet Harlem
Describe this family drama.
21. Hung Down
Did Waneko taper Piri’s fixes? Why did he recommend it?
22. Real Jesse Jamses
What are examples of Piri having empathy for his victims?
What shows that he really isn’t ‘cool’ enough for this work?
Is this true of most criminals or are most truly hardened?
23. Wish It Were You, Trina
When Piri is open and takes limited responsibility, people accept it. What
makes it so hard for us to do this most of the time?
This is a good example of an assertive response to the situation.
What does Piri’s response say about Piri’s functioning levels of Moral
Development and Psychosocial Development at this time?
The last sentence:”But it wasn’t gonna be like that.” Is foreshadowing. The
author is letting the reader in and hooking them into wanting to find out what
will happen next.
24. If You’re Gonna Pray – Then Pray Big
What were the clues that this wasn’t going to go well?
Was the woman who tried to hug Piri trying a non-violent intervention?
Compare Piri’s scared and empathetic thoughts to his tough actions.
Session 5
Discuss Chapters 19-23
Hand out and discuss Stages of Adulthood
Assign Chapters 24-32 Pages 239-306. Hand out study questions.
Prison – I hated the evenings because a whole night in prison lay before
me, and I hated the morning because I felt like Dracula returning to his
coffin.
25. The House of ”Do-Right’
Although Piri is surrounded by people there is a sense of isolation. What
could contribute to this?
How do the sentences of Louie, Danny, Billy and Piri compare?
26. Breaking In
Piri had a half-day of work and a half-day of school. How would you structure
a day?
Reflect on similar experiences you have had. In what ways id this a mirror of
your experience and in what ways is it a window?
27. Mucho Days and Nights on Gray
Piri hates the monotony most. How can you engage in life to beat the
monotony?
What does it mean to be ‘jail-wise’ in picking your friends?
What role did Kent play for Piri?
Piri describes growing up in terms of a beard, a broad chest and a deeper
voice. In what ways has he not grown up?
Piri fights Little to find release from the pressure. What other ways are
possible?
Describe Casey.
28. Sex in the Can
Piri helps Tico. Did anyone help you learn to stay out of trouble? Have you
helped others?
29. No More Mananas for Us, Trina
Recap how special Trina was for Piri.
30. Sweatin’, Man, Sweatin’
Describe Piri’s thoughts and feelings as he faced parole and after.
How was the chaplain an ally?
Describe Piri’s thinking about choosing between the life of a con and life on
the street.
1. God, Ain’t You for Everybody?
How is ‘dignity’ a more mature concept than heart?
2. Great, Man, Great; I’m Thinking Like a Stone Philosopher
How does Piri show increasing maturity?
Session 6
Discuss Chapters 24-32 as above. Note examples of Piri acting in
accordance with more adult levels of development
Assign Chapters 33-35 and the Afterword. Hand out study questions.
New York Town
3. Free Side Is the Best Side
How has Piri changed between the ride to Comstock and the ride back to
New York?
What are Piri’s first mature actions outside the wall?
4. Hay, Barrio – I’m Home
What are the stages Piri goes through in returning home?
Think of who you were six years ago. Would a relationship from that time
still have relevance?
5. I Swears to God and the Virgin
How does this ending make you feel?
What points toward transformation and what points toward a return to drugs?
Why do you think Piri didn’t continue the book to show his successes?
Afterword to the Thirtieth-Anniversary Edition
Where can you find the nourishment of love?
What lessons were you taught growing up that you want to live by?
What lessons were you taught that you want to change?
Session 7
Discuss Chapters 33-the Afterword as above. Reflect on Piri’s growth
throughout the book and encourage personal sharing.
Show and discuss the first part of the Denzel Washington – Spike Lee movie
Malcolm X. Look for parallels between his life and Piri’s. Note examples of
the developmental stages.
Session 8
Discuss and review the movie so far. Show and discuss the remainder of the
movie as above. Hand out certificates.
Wikipedia Articles to Support Learning About Down These Mean Streets
The Great Depression
Nation of Islam
Black Muslims
Islam
Websites of interest:
Child Development Institute article on Erickson’s Stages of Psycho-Social Development
http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/erickson.shtml
Chapter of a psychology text on Kohlberg and his Theory of Moral Development http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/kohlberg.htm
From Joann Wolski Conn (ed.), Women’s Spirituality: Resources for Christian Development.
(Paulist,
1986), pp. 226-232. http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/fowler.htm
Article on Racial Identity Development from Pierce College:
http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/tlink/development/theme_identity_and_cohort/race_stages.htm
Article about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds.htm
An Article about Defence Mechanisms especially interesting is Vaillant’s leels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_mechanism
Books Recommended for Further Study
People’s History of the United States – Howard Zinn
Manchild in the Promised Land – Claude Brown
Malcolm X: A Force for Change - Nikki Grimes
Color of Water - McBride, a biracial man remembers his white mother
Black Ice - Lorene Cary, African-American woman
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters First 100 Years - Sarah & Elizabeth Delany
Angela Davis: With My Mind on Freedom - Angela Davis - African- American woman1960’s
If They Come in the Morning - Angela Davis and others in the 60’s
I Am the Darker Brother: An Anthology of Modern Poems by Black Americans
The Fire Next Time - James Baldwin, African American in the 60’s
Going to Meet the Man - James Baldwin, short stories
No Name in the Street - James Baldwin
Just Above My Head - James Baldwin, novel
Nobody Knows My Name - James Baldwin, autobiographical essays
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now - Maya Angelou, African American
woman
Coming of Age in Mississippi: An Autobiography - Anne Moody
You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down: Stories by Alice Walker
A Different Mirror: A Multicultural History of the United States – by Robert Takaki
Finding Freedom – by Jarvis Jay Masters
The Soul Knows No Bars – by Drew Leder
There Comes a Time – The Struggle for Civil Rights – by Milton Meltzer
Black Like Me – by John Howard Griffin
White Like Me – Tim Wise
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? - Dr. Beverly D. Tatum
Uprooting Racism - Paul Kivel
Book Discussion Evaluation
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