The Documented BorderAn Open Access Digital Archive

Professional male raised in San Antonio, Texas, August 4, 1989; Tucson, Arizona

Player and additional resources open in a new window.

Dublin Core

Title

Professional male raised in San Antonio, Texas, August 4, 1989; Tucson, Arizona

Description

Dr. Cummings interviews a thirty-eight-year-old male from San Antonio, Texas, who she described as a “professional male.” The interviewee recounts his childhood and his experiences with pachucos in San Antonio. He recalls that it was common to belong to a group or gang of pachucos, most of whom were high school dropouts. He recalls several situations when he was confronted by pachucos and had to give away his belongings in order to avoid being beat up. He was approached to join a gang at one point, but he declined due to the gang violence he had witnessed at school. However, the interviewee also points out there were positive elements to the subculture, saying, “A lot of good, natural leadership went into the gangs.” He points out that there was no specific economic purpose behind the gangs and that “it was more turf battles; allowing no intrusion into your neighborhood.” The interviewee reflects on the changes in geographic mobility between barrios. He notes that during his childhood, youths would not visit other barrios for parties or social gatherings like they did at the time of the interview.

Creator

Cummings, Laura (Laura Lee)

Source

Dr. Laura Lee Cummings Pachuco/Caló Oral History Project Collection (MS 592). Special Collections, University of Arizona Libraries.

Publisher

University of Arizona Libraries

Date

1989-08-04

Rights

This item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the University of Arizona for non-commercial uses. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the University of Arizona.

Format

mp3

Language

Pachuco, Spanish, English

Type

sound recording - nonmusical

Identifier

MS592.13

azu_ms592_tape13

Sound Item Type Metadata

Original Format

audiocassette

Duration

47 minutes

Citation

Cummings, Laura (Laura Lee) , “Professional male raised in San Antonio, Texas, August 4, 1989; Tucson, Arizona,” Special Collections Online Exhibits, accessed May 27, 2026, https://exhibits.lib.arizona.edu/items/show/1594.