Mi Barrio from Smarter Comics

by Robert Renteria, Corey Blake, Shane Clester (Illustrator)

Don't let where you came from dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you become. Successful entrepreneur Robert Renteria grew up sleeping in a dresser drawer. This hard-hitting comic memoir traces Robert's life from a childhood of poverty and abuse in one of the poorest areas of East Los Angeles, to his emergence as a business owner and civic leader today. For more information about Robert and the From the Barrio Foundation, please visit www.fromthebarrio.com or Google "Robert Renteria."

Genres: Graphic Novels

80 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2010

Reviews

[Teresa Carbajal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Graphic Review | Mi Barrio

At a time when the sense of entitlement is running rapid among all generations, and oftentimes nauseating, a true story of determination and hard-work, along with a priority for education, is encouraging. To read a story of a child born into poverty, growing up in some of the worst circumstances, among violence, abuse, drugs and alcohol, living out the stereotypical life path that society has designated, and coming out ahead and successful is inspiring. Then again, to be born into poverty, feel cheated and damning the world for having been born, and using those strong emotions to accomplish personal success and a life of giving back to society, is a story rarely heard in the media. The same society that had pegged you for a loser, a deadbeat, an embarrassment best kept obscured, better yet deported back to from that which you came. This is more than mere inspiration, it is the unadorned realities for many that have made it out of destitution, triumphed in the public’s eye, and have continued to use their accomplishments to help others on their own path to success.

Continue reading at www.DulceBreadandBookShop.com

[Corrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it gives me so much pride hearing about successful Latinos, I felt mixed emotions with this comic. The message was to "work hard" and you too can become successful and while I don't want to shit on Robert's success, he absolutely put in the work and earned it, the message he's pushing feels reckless. He talks about as a child helping his single mother make money by collecting bottles and exchanging them at the store. In his older years, walking into a business and asking for an opportunity despite having no experience. That education is the most important thing and will take you where you need to go, you can be anything you want to be and do anything you want to do. This is the very thing my generation have been told our whole lives and it is simply not true, not for my generation and not for the ones after. Opportunities are moving posts and simply "working hard" will not get you there.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read this in English, not Spanish, but I don't see an English-language edition on Goodreads. My NFNT review is up here.