Writer and poet Piri Thomas, whose 1967 memoir “Down These Mean Streets” authentically portayed the brutality, racism, and hardship faced by Puerto Ricans in America’s urban ghettos, died on Monday. He was 83 years old. Thomas was born in Harlem, and his memoir went on to become a staple of high school reading lists.
The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.