Cholo Style: Homies, Homegirls and La Raza

by Reynaldo Berrios

The powerful Chicano street-tough look—or cholo style —continues to become incorporated as a matter of pride in the fast-growing American Hispanic culture and, as reported by The New York Times, is now part of “the fashion vernacular of non-Latinos as well.” From his San Francisco home, author Reynaldo Berrios started Mi Vida Loca maga-zine in 1992 (nearly two years prior to the release of Allison Anders’ movie of the same name) with ambitious “I wanted vatos to get started on a peace treaty. I wanted for cholos to stop the drive-bys. I wanted for the mainstream to stop acting as if La Raza didn’t exist. I wanted my people to have a voice and to be proud of our beliefs, our heroes, and our culture.”
Cholo Style includes interviews and photographs obtained at great risk from gang members and underworld leaders throughout the state of California, plus intense, stylized line drawings from barrios, prisons, and low-rider cultural gatherings.
With over 150 photographs, illustrations, and letters, the sharply designed Cholo Style presents the fast-expanding Chicano barrio culture from its most authentic and street-credible perspective.

Genres: Cultural

239 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Juan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reynaldo Berrios, writes this book for the Homies and Homegirls en la loquera. He writes so that the Cholo y Chola can understand. He has a lot of insight in neighborhood vernacular and customs. He is very courages in going to various barrios throughout the southwest to get his interviews. He is trying to unite the Raza and for his efforts he is commended. I hope he continues to write and to speak to the Raza Youth because the youth need to be up on game and unite too organized against the real enemy.

[Armando · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ex-gang member from Mission Districit(San fransico), Reynaldo Berrios, the author of "Mi Vida Loca" magazine choose to publish the book Cholo Style because people like me wanted more, we didnt want it to just stop at the magazine. The book talks about Reynaldos thoughts and incedents while he roams throughout the barrios in califas interviewing some of the craziest and hardest cholos in all california. He gets caught up in the craziest scenarios just to prove his point to the brown and proud. Reynaldo wants the Raza in particularly youth to not fight against each other and stay in school para triumfar! If you really enjoy to read or learn about la Raza and gangs this is the book for you...So Check it out!!! lol

[rebel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 46%. 1.5 stars?

I didn't know anything about life in American barrios when I started reading this, so the beginning was eye-opening. The book is a compilation of the Mi Vida Loca zines, which were printed in California in the 90s. They portray an interesting snapshot of the Bay Area and LA/San Diego during that period of time. However, the author is blatantly anti-black and sexist, and he's not even a good interviewer when he's doing the journalistic pieces. He asks leading questions and says more than his interviewees ever get to say. The combination became unbearable for me, so I had to stop. I know there must be better books out there about the cholo experience that don't have these problems, and I'll keep an eye out for them.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So few books available on this topic. I was delighted to find this one. It is written in an engaging and accessible style and has proved an invaluable resource while working on Luis Alfaro’s “Electricidad.”

The photos included in particular were helpful guidons in my visual research. Helping me avoid the pitfalls of relying on search engines alone. My only regret is that I had to buy a use one and so the author and publisher missed out on the sale.

[Blanca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not wholly what I expected

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it

[Selina Velasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now finished this book, and it has changed a lot since the last time I updated my recomendation. This book got a lot more deeper, and discusses things that some people may feel affended by. However, I still enjoyed it. It gives life lessons and stories about things that normal people in the Mexican community went through. That is the most interesting part.I recomend this book to anyone who likes to read books about the roots of Mexicans.

[Megan]

A documentary-style book filled with the insightful perspective of a man who has seen it all. Gorgeous artwork and old-school photographs (Ladies of South Hayward represent!) In the end, Berrios insists upon the importance of racial unity and living life with integrity, honor, and pride.

[laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

TIGHT

[Yessenia]

also want to get to it ha what ca i say this books bring my attention b/c i feel connected to the stories.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

i learn a lot of things..... lol

[Michael Fuertes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really interesting.It is about a guy named Reynaldo Berrios and he is going around California and interviewing people.

[Raul · Rating 4 out of 5]

repatative but strong one sided message if applies.