Summary:
This summer I read Lady Q rise and fall of a Latin Queen by Reymundo Sanchez and Sonia Rodriguez. In this Book Sonia Talks about her life as the leader of Latin kings, Or as they (the Latin Kings) call her the queen of all kings. It all started when she was at the age of five when her stepfather Carlos would abuse her. You would think that her mother tried to help, so did I and I was completely wrong. Instead of telling him to stop she to joined in. Her sister Vivian was in so much pain since she had a disease where her legs would point the opposite direction, therefore all the attention went towards Vivian. Sonia cried and bleed as her stepfather continued to abuse her as if he’s just punching and kicking a pillow. Sonia in this household was no pillow she was less important. Everyone walked around the house as if Sonia was never there but when she was needed for a punching bag she was always present. When she was at least six or seven, her uncle Jose and his family of three came. Since they had needed a place to stay Carlos came to help and suggested they stay at his house. On a lonely night after being abused more than once Sonia fell into a Deep sleep, and woke up to her uncle sexually touching her, scared and confused she tried to scream but Uncle Jose put his hand over her mouth. The next day she tried to tell her mom but no one not even her would pay little attention, and it was back to her being a punching bag. After a year living with Carlos he decided to kick them out since Sonia was to much of a “liar“, Sonia, Her mother, Vivian and his two kids belonging to Carlos left the house. They Left to the city of Chicago, where Vivian and Sonia would hang out with the Local gangs there. One day Vivian decided she wanted to join the Latin queens; Sonia thought maybe her life would be so much better if she joined to. They violated them in. But the current queen of all kings didn’t like Vivian and ordered her to fight with another Latin queen. Vivian refused because the girl she was going to fight with was her best friend smiley. Sonia looked at the head queen and said “I’ll do it“. After fighting with smiley leaving her on the floor covered in blood, the head Latin queen said “ Now that’s respect” And Sonia was given the name Lady Q. Sonia found her way around all the fighting unless she was needed and decided to sell cocaine. Her drug shop went well she made all the money that she needed. On several occasions the drug addicts gave her things so she could give them cocaine. She had met the leader of the gang his name is Tino. Not everyone in the gang had the chance to meet Tino, and if you did you were very important. Lady Q had started to develop feelings toward Tino, and so did he. She had been on top of the gang because of this. Tino had always paid for all of Lady Q’s need, Clothes and everything. Lady Q had a child with him they named her lizet. Lady Q had so much problems, her mom never really accepted her, her father didn’t want her, and She grew tired of Tino. Everyday her life was put at danger and she decided to leave it all behind and ignore it all. She moved to the suburbs lost all contact with every gang member and is now living her life in danger with her kids.
Favorite Quote:
“If my story saves one kid’s life, then its all worth it.”
My reaction:
When I saw this book I thought the only thing she wanted to do is to make everyone feel bad for her, but no she did this to stop gang violence! I think it’s great to have done this but it puts her in so much danger. People these days will do so much to impress others but this is not a way, Your just letting everyone know that your no better.