3/18/13 anne silveira

Dear Reader,                                                           Mexican White Boy Pages 156-224

            In reading almost the entire novel, Mexican White Boy, by Matt de la Peña, I see an overabundance of information pertaining to the characters through major events that occur. Danny and Uno’s families have secrets from the past, which they uncover, while they encounter troubles along the way. The boys are able to ascertain more about what their family members are really like, which is for the better and worse. I know for a fact that going through times like this isn’t easy, but when they persevere, they will find the truth and learn to accept it.

            As I analyze Uno’s lifestyle, I realize that he has a challenging life. His biological father is troublesome at times, and he has a stepfather who constantly yells at him. On top of all this, he learns that his mother is pregnant. His mother says, “’Ernesto wants a son with his own blood here. It’s nothing against you or Manny’” (198). Personally, I think that this is one of the worst things a mother can say to her child, because they will take it the opposite way, as Uno does. This creates tension and causes Uno to feel unwanted, even when his mother tries to say otherwise. With all of this chaos, Uno has a hard time keeping his head on straight and can’t seem to relate to his family. He wants to love his family, but he can’t even talk to them or tell them about his plans in life without becoming angry or confused, which is problematic. How would you react in a situation where you feel isolated and unwanted in your own family?

            When it comes to Uno’s real father, everything changes. Senior has strong views about the world that can be both confusing and inspiring. Senior’s views allow Uno to discover some of Senior’s strange ways. Senior explains that a thief was trying to break into his house, but he caught him. Instead of beating him up or calling the police, Senior brought the boy inside and spoke to him. He said, “I served time, lost my marriage, lost my son. Lost my damn sense of who I was” (159). He told the boy about how he turned his life around, and how the boy could, too. Senior forgave the boy and gave him money for his girlfriend and his baby. The way that Senior handles this situation shocks Uno. This story makes Uno realize that his father is a changed man who wants to do the right thing.

                                                            

            The way in which Uno’s family communicates with one another is part of the Mexican culture. They talk a lot, and want what they say to be heard, like a true Mexican. This trait seems to have been passed down, proving that learning one’s culture starts at home, which shapes the identities of those in future generations

           Danny hasn’t been acquainted with his family members for most of his life. This leads to some gaps in the knowledge that he has pertaining to them. At first, Danny doesn’t know anything about where his father is or why he left. But in this portion of the novel, all of that changes. Danny stumbles upon numerous secrets that his family has been keeping from him, and he observes what some of his uncles are really capable of.

            It all starts with a phone call from his mother. She tells Danny, “’Your dad’s the only person I’ve ever been in love with. It’s just, well, things happened that made it impossible for us to stay together…He’s a good man…That’s all you need to know, I think’” (193). Do you know why Danny’s mother wouldn’t tell him why his father isn’t around anymore? Personally, I believe that everyone has the right to know what happens within their family. When Danny isn’t informed, I feel like he is being cheated. No matter what his mother says to convince Danny that she has reasons for not telling him about his father, I will always believe that he deserves to be told, and nothing will change that.

             As he and his mother continue to talk, Danny isn’t able to obtain any information from his mother about his father. Yet, what he discovers is priceless. Mom really does love both Danny and his father and she wants to make everything right. Danny must be happy that his mom is making an effort because even if they aren’t together as a family the fact that they love one other makes them one, which is all that Danny hopes for. Family is important to me, and just having love from others can make life easier. How do you feel? What makes a true family? Do you have to be together or do you just have to love one another?

            Although Danny doesn’t have much information about his father, he keeps digging. He asks Sofia if she knows what happened between his parents. She says, “’I think he hit her, cuz. I’m sorry to tell you, but I think you got a right to know. He hit her and she came to stay with us after. And then when that thing happened at the beach he got in trouble’” (195). This completely shocks Danny, yet he tries to shrug it off. Why do you think he attempts not to show any emotion? I know that if I was told the reason why my parents split up was due to abuse, I would feel awful. No one should suffer domestic abuse or its consequences, which this novel addresses.

            Even though Danny knows why his father left, he still doesn’t know where he is. For a couple of days, Danny ponders where he could possibly be, and if he should buy a ticket to Mexico to attempt to locate him. For some reason, Danny can’t convince himself to purchase the ticket, but eventually he realizes that it is good that he didn’t.

                                  

            One day, Danny and Uno attend a Padres game. While they are at the game, Danny sees the “scout” that has been watching him at all of their hustles. The only problem is, he isn’t in the press box; he is a hot dog vendor. If I were Danny, I would have been surprised. I believe he was in shock, but instead of just sitting there, as I would have, he decides to be proactive. Danny gets out of his seat and follows the man. When he catches up to him, they speak with one another. Danny is informed that this man isn’t really a scout. The man tells him, “’He asked me if I could watch over you. While he’s away…Your dad asked me if I could. I said of course’”(218). When Danny hears the man mention his father, he is caught off guard. For the past four years, Danny has had no idea what happened to his father,  then all of a sudden he finds himself next to a man who has spoken to his father and may know where he is. If I were Danny, I would have been asking a million questions, yet he keeps his composure, which is amazing. How would you have reacted in a situation like this?

            As they continue to talk, Danny discovers that his father saved this man's life in a fight. The man also says, “’He always brags on you, you know. Goes on and on about what a great kid you are. A great player, too, he tells everybody’” (219). Danny comes to realize that his father truly cares for and admires him, which is exciting. The fact this man has been watching over him for his father is important. Even if a parent can’t be there, they should make sure that their child is protected, which is exactly what Danny’s father does. This also incorporates Mexican culture. Mexicans often protect their own, will keep their promises, and have a reason for everything, making them who they are.

            When Danny is about to go back to his seat, he is able to discover one last thing  about his father. He learns where his dad is: in prison. Danny is crushed. I can’t imagine how terrible he must feel when he finds out, after all these years, that his father is in prison. How would you react if one of your parents was in prison, especially if a stranger had to tell you? Would you feel betrayed or protected?

            Unfortunately, the only way that Danny can cope with this shocking news is by cutting himself with tweezers when he arrives at Sofia’s house. The only person that is there for him in this time of struggle is Sofia. She just keeps saying, “’You didn’t do nothin’ wrong…You don’t got nothin’ to do with him bein’ in trouble’” (224). I am glad that Sofia cares about Danny this much, because without her he would probably fall apart. Everyone needs someone who will always be there for them. Do you have someone in your life that you can always turn to? If so, how have they helped you in times of trouble?

                Not only does Danny come across the lies of the last four years, but he learns about the dark side of his Uncle Ray. His Uncle had taken him to the market and while they were in a parking lot he performed a hit and run. This is an unacceptable action that should never occur, so I still wonder why Ray did it, especially with Danny in the car. This scares Danny because he sees that his uncle can be a dangerous man, as opposed to someone he should look up to. This reminds me of the novel Hit and Run by Lurlene McDaniel. It is about how if one is involved in a hit and run, they cannot take back their actions, but what they do to cope with it makes them who they are. Later, Danny overhears his Uncle Tommy saying to his Uncle Ray, that they are supposed to keep Danny away from trouble. Tommy said, “He didn’t want Danny involved in any of this shit. None of it. You and me promised, Ray” (203). Even though Danny doesn’t know it at the time, his father is the one who wants to keep him out of trouble. This proves that Danny’s uncles have communicated with his father, who wants Danny to grow up to be a respectable person, not a thug. How would you have reacted to seeing this hearing about something that you didn't understand, like Danny did?

            Everything that Danny and Uno have determined about their families is quite outrageous, yet it hasn’t stopped them from hustling people and hanging out with their friends. Danny has been able to perfect his form and they have won almost every hustle. They are even able to defeat their biggest opponent Carmelo, who they hustle out of eighty dollars after fighting for their lives and the money. On their down time, the boys play some games of truth or dare with friends, and Danny even attempts to talk to Liberty.

            I cannot wait to find out how the novel ends. I’ll write soon and let you know how everything turns out. Hopefully, I can report some good news.

Sincerely,

Anne Silveira