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

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

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.

Cummings, Laura (Laura Lee)

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

University of Arizona Libraries

1989-08-04

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mp3

Pachuco, Spanish, English

sound recording - nonmusical

MS592.13

azu_ms592_tape13

audiocassette

47 minutes