View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Carolina Digital Repository THE BX CHRONICLES: EXPLORING THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE IN THE SOUTH BRONX Jason Cory Mendez A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Education in the School of Education. Chapel Hill 2008 Approved by Professor George Noblit Professor Jim Trier Professor Cheryl Mason Bolick Professor James E. Osler II Professor Allison Anders © 2008 Jason Cory Mendez ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii ABSTRACT JASON CORY MENDEZ: THE BX CHRONICLES: EXPLORING THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE IN THE SOUTH BRONX (Under the direction of George W. Noblit) This nontraditional dissertation, which I prefer to label as a manuscript, is a qualitative study that explores the complexities of life in the South Bronx. This manuscript represents my multifaceted journey as a young Puerto Rican man making meaning of life in the South Bronx as well as making meaning of my lived experiences navigating through academia. This journey implicitly employs a theoretical framework of détournement, critical race theory, lived experience, and representation in order to construct a counterstory that critiques popular and distorted (stereotypical) representations of life in the South Bronx. Additionally, this manuscript examines the complexities in the representations of Hiphop. Along this journey I explored the life of world renowned Hiphop pioneer, Phase 2. Phase 2’s experiences and knowledge concerning interpretations of the origins, shifts, and objectifying of Hiphop speak to its [Hiphop’s] social origins, evolution, and position in reality. The lived experiences of Phase 2 are mirrored against my own lived experiences in order to create a dialogue that speaks to Hiphop as culturally lived experiences rather than a set of elements (rapping, break dancing, aerosol art, and dee jaying) to which Hiphop is often reduced. iii DEDICATION To my children, your mother and I are a testament that nothing is impossible with God and as you begin your search for the master don’t ever forget who you are and where you stand in the struggle. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Finding the glow has been a long journey. There are many close friends and family that I must express my utmost gratitude for the support and guidance you have provided me so that I may reach the final level. I would first like to thank my parents, Jose and Lillian Mendez, and my wife, Dara, for all of your unconditional love and support. Without you, I would not be where I am today. I want to thank my committee members: Dr. George Noblit, Dr. Jim Trier, Dr. Cheryl Mason Bolick, Dr. James E. Osler II, and Dr. Allison Anders. To George, thank you for showing me what truly is important. The things I have heard you say to your wife and children over the phone have been an example of the type of husband and father I want to be in regards to balancing career and family. To Jim, thank you for equipping me with the necessary tools needed to successful navigate through the Matrix. I especially thank you for all of the conversations about sports and movies. To Cheryl Mason Bolick, thank you for being supportive of my goals. Four years ago you were the first person to extend a helping hand when I was attempting to get into the program. That will never be forgotten. To Allison, you are truly one of my closest friends. Thank you for always believing in me especially when I doubted my own capabilities. To Dr. Osler, thank you for being in my corner from day one. Since the first time I stepped into your office, you have helped instill in me a confidence and self-esteem that shall never be shaken. To the entire committee, I thank you for your support in pursuing and completing the project that I desired. v I want to extend a special thank you to True. Without you this journey would have never occurred. Your words have helped me more than you will ever know. One love. I just peeped City of Violence . The movie is ill. To Tej, I thank you for always being there for me during the challenging times as well as my victories. Your support is a big reason why I have fulfilled a lot of my dreams. Now it’s about to be your turn. Do work son. To Aohntè, thank you for all of the late night conversations to help me think through this journey. To Rich, thank you for being the big brother that you are. To Mommy D, thank you for your love and support. To Everard Findlay, can you believe it? To LJ, thank you for helping me find the time to relax and unwind. To Cameron Parker, though you have been in CT during this journey, I want to thank you for all of the support and prayers you, Monica, and Elise have sent my way. To Jasper, thank you for all of the support and miles you put on your car for our “research” trips to Yankee Stadium. To Jennifer Jones and Heather Coffey, thank you for all of your support. Jennifer, thank you so much for our Friday morning writing groups. Heather, thank you so much for all of the editing help. To Richard and Keegan Sawyer, thank you for the support and editing help as well. To Marta Sanchez, thank you for the translation help and especially your support. To Karla Martin, mvto 1 for helping me along this journey. Thanks for all of the laughs and snacks. To Sims and Triple B, thank you for the studio time. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the following people: Virginia and Herman Rivera, Emmanuel “I don’t want it” Reyes, Haley Reyes, Lynette Reyes, Gary Barber, Linda and Ben Poulson, Twyla Perryman, Stephanie and Zuri Moultrie, Mark and Jeannette Hall, Lashaun Neal, Tashia Zeigler, Cassandra Richards, Cary Gillenwater, the Needhams, Momulo Kamara, Bahia, Shirley, and the Latimer family. 1 Creek for “Thank you” vi Finally, I would like to thank all of my friends who shared in the memories that I wrote about in this journey. To Gilbert, Angel, Ryan, Jose, Espy, Juan, DJ, Joey, David, Nelson, Anthony (Wookie), and Steven; I thank you for all of the good times, much love. To the South Bronx, Hunts Point, Manida, I hold my glass up to the sky and toast to the most high. I am indebted to you. vii PREFACE Voice (n): the person or other agency through which something is expressed or revealed (Voice, 2008). On September 30, 1946, Hector Juan Perez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. When Hector was a young boy his father would give him [Hector] musical lessons in hope that one day he would become a famous saxophonist. Over time Hector lost interest in playing the sax; instead his attention turned to the music coming from his radio. The sounds of Jibaro 2 inspired Hector to become a singer. (Lavoe, 2008a) At the age of 17, Hector pursued his dream of becoming a singer by moving to New York City. During his first week in New York City, Hector was invited to a rehearsal for a newly formed group. During the rehearsal, the lead singer was unable to hit his notes so Hector decided to help him by showing him the correct tune. After hearing Hector sing, the group immediately made Hector their lead singer. (Lavoe, 2008a) During this time, there were many Latino singers, but none could sing like Hector. In order to separate Hector from the others, a former manager gave him the Spanish nickname “La Voz” which means “the voice.” Soon after, Hector Juan Perez changed his name to Hector Lavoe 3. Thus, a legend was born. (Lavoe, 2008b) Hector Lavoe was a voice for a lot of people from Boricuas on the island to Boricuas in the Bronx. He sang songs about his beautiful isla de encanto in Yo Naci en Puerto Rico, to his battles against his own demons in Aguanilé . 2 Traditional Puerto Rican folk or country music 3 French for “the voice” viii Similar to Hector Lavoe, I am a voice. Within this particular story, I am the voice of those who grew up on Manida like Gilbert, Jose, Angel, Juan, Espy, and DJ. I am the voice of those who grew up in the South Bronx like Phase 2, Tej, and Aohnte. I am the voice for those who did not grow up in the South Bronx, but who can relate to what I have written. Ultimately, I am a voice that desires to be heard by those who will come after me. The youth are the reason I have told this story. The most important question I was asked during my dissertation proposal defense was, “Who is your audience?” It was the night before my dissertation proposal defense and as I went through pictures of the kids from Potentialis that I realized that the kids were my audience. My story is an explanation to them addressing why things are the way they are. The reason why I am ambiguous in naming the “things” is because the “things” can mean anything depending on the world in which they exist. This is a call to WAKE UP and break the chains of mental slavery. This is a call to WAKE UP and recognize the illusions that surround us. This is a call to WAKE UP and distinguish between hype and reality.