At fifteen, Victor Rios found himself a human target—flat on his ass amid a hail of shotgun fire, desperate for money and a place on the street. Faced with the choice of escalating a drug turf war or eking out a living elsewhere, he turned to a teacher, who mentored him and helped him find a job at an auto shop. That job would alter the course of his whole life—putting him on the road to college and eventually a PhD. Now, Rios is a rising star, hailed for his work studying the lives of African American and Latino youth. In Human Targets, Rios takes us to the streets of California, where we encounter young men who find themselves in much the same situation as fifteen-year-old Victor. We follow young gang members into schools, homes, community organizations, and detention facilities, watch them interact with police, grow up to become fathers, get jobs, get rap sheets—and in some cases get killed. What is it that sets apart young people like Rios who succeed and survive from the ones who don’t? Rios makes a powerful case that the traditional good kid/bad kid, street kid/decent kid dichotomy is much too simplistic, arguing instead that authorities and institutions help create these identities—and that they can play an instrumental role in providing young people with the resources for shifting between roles. In Rios’s account, to be a poor Latino youth is to be a human target—victimized and considered an enemy by others, viewed as a threat to law enforcement and schools, and burdened by stigma, disrepute, and punishment. That has to change. This is not another sensationalistic account of gang bangers. Instead, the book is a powerful look at how authority figures succeed—and fail—at seeing the multi-faceted identities of at-risk youths, youths who succeed—and fail—at demonstrating to the system that they are ready to change their lives. In our post-Ferguson era, Human Targets is essential reading.
✔ Author(s): Victor M. Rios,James Diego Vigil
✔ Title: Human Targets: Schools, Police, and the Criminalization of Latino Youth
✔ Rating : 4.7 out of 5 base on (86 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 022609099X
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Human Targets by Victor M. Rios
Cedrica Ingram
Discover the poignant story of a family navigating life's ups and downs in this moving novel. The author's empathetic writing and well-drawn characters create a deeply emotional experience. Each chapter explores themes of love, loss, and resilience with sensitivity. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a heartwarming and thought-provoking read. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about family dynamics.
Alannah Moore
Experience the thrill of a heist gone wrong in this fast-paced crime novel. The author's detailed plotting and dynamic characters create a compelling narrative. Each twist and turn in the story keeps you hooked from start to finish. The tension and suspense build with each chapter, making it a page-turner. It's an exhilarating read that captures the essence of high-stakes crime. Perfect for fans of heist stories and thrillers.
Dayne Holt
Explore the impact of technology on society in this thought-provoking novel. The author's insightful writing and compelling characters create a narrative that challenges your perceptions. Each chapter delves into the complexities of modern life with depth and nuance. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a story that prompts deep reflection on the role of technology in our lives. Perfect for readers interested in contemporary issues.
