Chapter 14: Office Work and the Crack Alternative among Puerto Rican Drug Dealers
in East Harlem
Thesis:
Puerto Rican drug dealers who have grown comfortable living off the system and facing prejudice while working a minimum or above minimum wage job.
Summary:
This chapter explained the struggle Puerto Rican drug dealers who face prejudice based on their demeanor and intelligence. They face the struggle of starting at the very bottom of the work place where the receptionist is their supervisor. These Puerto Rican drug dealers also carry this attitude of always trying to be tough where their seen by someone at a higher position as stupid.
They also have this attitude towards people trying to do better where their seen by the culture as acting “white” and changing up who they are because of a job. These drug dealers talk about how they used to have legal jobs, but because of problems stated in the first paragraph they figured they can make more money, live comfortable and not have to face the racism or prejudice they do outside of East Harlem.
Their proud of being lazy and living off the system. People of other Spanish backgrounds even consider Puerto Ricans to be lazy and that they steal. The Mexicans interviewed in the chapter mentioned they come into this country to make an honest living and earn things the legal way.
Personal Reflection:
I hate that I know of situations like this and that it’s all reality to me. The drug dealers around my neighborhood have also at one point had legal jobs, but continue to do the same thing they do everyday day and night on a street corner or from their homes. I actually laughed while reading this chapter because I was personally told at one point that I acted as if I were better because I spoke “proper” which is educated because I was in college and had a job. I didn’t view it as a bad thing, but as a good one except I didn’t think I was better than anyone. At that point I just realized how stupid people can be.
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