Down these mean streets

Down these mean streets

The Pennsylvanian smiled. “Oh, I’m not looking for that kind of personal involvement,” he said. “I’m not seeking violence but rather the warmth and harmony of the southern Negro, their wonderful capacity for laughter and strength, their spiritual closeness to God and their way of expressing faith through their gospel singing. I want to capture on paper the richness of their poverty and their belief in living. I want the words I write to blend with emotions of their really fantastic ability to endure and absorb the anguish of past memories of the slavery that was the lot of their grandparents. I want to write that despite their burdens they are working with the white man toward a productive relationship.”

I glanced at Brew. He was studying the shadows on the walls. I took a good look at the Pennsylvanian. He was tan-colored and not really very negroid-looking. I got a funny, almost proud feeling that I looked more negroid than he did.

Written by Piri Thomas // Published in New York by Vintage Books in 1991 // First published in 1967
Down these mean streets


Books by Piri Thomas in MOREL

Down these mean streets

Edition published in New York by Vintage Books in 1991
Down these mean streets
Piri Thomas

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