Piri Thomas, American writer (Down These Mean Streets) and poet, died from pneumonia he was 83.

Piri Thomas  was a writer and poet whose memoir Down These Mean Streets became a best-seller

(September 30, 1928 – October 17, 2011).

Early years

Thomas (birth name: Juan Pedro Tomas) was born to a Puerto Rican mother and Cuban father. His childhood neighborhood in the Spanish Harlem section of New York City was riddled with crime and violence. According to Thomas, children were expected to be gang members at a young age, and Thomas was no exception. Thomas was also exposed to racial discrimination because of the color of his skin and because he was Hispanic. ^[1]
Thomas was involved with drugs, gang warfare and crime, and spent six years in prison as a consequence. While in prison, Thomas reflected on the teachings of his mother and father. He came to realize that a person is not born a criminal. Consequently he developed a conviction that he should use all of his street and prison know-how to reach at-risk youth, and to help them avoid a life of crime.^[1]

Down These Mean Streets

In 1967, Thomas received funds from the Rabinowitz Foundation to write and publish his best-selling autobiography Down These Mean Streets. The book describes his struggle for survival as a Puerto Rican/Cuban born and raised in the barrios of New York. It has been in print for over 43 years. His other works include Savior, Savior Hold My Hand; Seven Long Times; and Stories from El Barrio. ^[2]

Later years

Thomas was influential in the Nuyorican Movement and worked on a book titled A Matter of Dignity. He also worked on an educational film titled Dialogue with Society.
Thomas traveled around the U.S., Central America and Europe, giving lectures and conducting workshops in colleges and universities. He was the subject of the film Every Child is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas, by Jonathan Robinson, which featured a soundtrack by Kip Hanrahan. ^[2]
On October 17, 2011, Thomas died from pneumonia at his home in El Cerrito, California. He is survived by his wife Suzie Dod Thomas, six children, and three stepchildren.^[3]


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