In 1968, author and poet Piri Thomas confronted the harsh realities of living in Spanish Harlem. Following Piri's best-selling memoir "Down These Mean Streets," Gordon Parks directed the documentary "The World of Piri Thomas" to capture the struggle, rich heritage, and enduring hope of New York City’s Nuyorican community in "El Barrio." #SpanishHarlem #PiriThomas #Nuyorican #ElBarrio #NYCHistory #AfroLatino #LatinoHistory #Shorts #DownTheseMeanStreets #HispanicHeritageMonth #TheStoryOfNewYork #THIRTEEN #PBS