by the El Reportero’s staff
Poet Piri Thomas (R.I.P.)
Puerto-Rican poet and writer Piri Thomas died Monday, October 17, 2011 after a lengthy battle with pneumonia. The beloved author of the bestseller Down These Mean Streets, passed away in his home in El Cerrito, California surrounded by his closest family and friends. Thomas was born September 30, 1928 in New York city. Son of a Puerto Rican mother and Cuban father, Piri Thomas was exposed to harsh racial discrimination.
A tough life during his early years in Harlem, filled with crime, gang warfare and drugs, inspired Piri to write some of his most recognized novels: Savoir, Savoir Hold my Hand and Seven Long Times. Piri Thomas (named Juan Pedro Tomas when born), also wrote a book of short stories named Stories from El Barrio; and several plays, such as Ole Ole Oy Vey and The Golden Streets. He recorded poetry and music, such as No Mo’ Barrio Blues and Sounds of the Streets.
His most famous work and bestseller Down These Mean Streets (1967) has been in print for 44 years and tells the story of a Piri, who goes through poverty, gangs and a racist community. The book describes his younger years; the time he spent in prison and his fight for recognition from the larger American population, which takes him for an African- American, failing to recognize his Latino identity.
His reversal from street life to writing interested filmmakers, who found in his a rich story that needed to be told. Three awardwinning movies were made about his life: Every Child is Born a Poet, The World of Piti Thomas and Petey and Johnny.
Eleven Hispanic films eligible for Academy Award
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released the list of foreign language films eligible for Best Foreign Film Category.
From a total of 63 movies, eleven are Hispanic. Members of the Academy started the screening of the films at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Among the nominees are: Elite Squad from Brazilian Jose Padilha; The Colors of the Mountain, directed by Carlos Arbeláez from Colombia; Habanastation by Ian Padrón from Cuba; Miss Bala by Gerardo Naranjo from Mexico and October by Daniel and Diego Vega from Perú.
