05/04/2026
MARCO DIAZ, a story of growing up in South Gate…
Growing up, neither my siblings nor I got to play organized sports.
While my primos and neighbors dawned their uniforms and played sports on the weekends, my siblings were relegated to stick ball on the streets at best.
Mama kept us close when we were kids. Given that we mostly lived in south LA, Mama was wise.
She kept us close; so much so that my siblings became voracious readers. Even though I would eventually earn a terminal degree and all three of my elder siblings dropped out of school by the ninth grade (somewhat intermittently in one case), I can say that they are all better read than I.
For example, when I was in the fourth grade at Stanford ES in South Gate we lived on Cypress Ave (yeah, IFYKYK), my brother Jorge brought home a trunk full of books that the church on the corner had thrown out.
The trunk was full of Reader's Digest compilations. Americana at its best. I recall being introduced to the classic American Gothic portait at the time. Jorge, a seventh grader at the time, explained it to me.
While I saw two old white folks and a pitchfork, my Carnal explained: "These are gente that work."
The preceding years would result in my sblings dropping out of school one by one.
They and Mama were undocumented. It was the early 80s. Most educators were not very encouraging as much as they were pragmatic.
The first to drop out was my brother Jose in the 8th grade, he was a student at Drew Jr. High.
A little after my sister at 14. She would find employment in DTLA first at El Rey Sol, a restaurant on 5th and Broadway as a waitress and then wth Pacific Theaters
I would be sent to chaperone my sister. I recall seeing Tightrope multiple times as I waited for her to get out of work before we took the 60/61 back home.
The last to drop out was Jorge. He would also find employment in DTLA, got in trouble, and after spending some time at Central Juvenile Hall was required to attend school at Monroe HS.
I recall that he told his teachers: "Don't bother me and I won't bother you. I'll just sit in the back and read my book."
Meanwhile, as the youngest, I was allowed to stay in school.
Jr High was a bit hectic. Typically awkward. I got in trouble at one point for throwing a chair at a teacher. Luckily, I moved on.
When I got to South Gate HS, I was enrolled in high level course. My siblings' literacy had rubbed off.
But, I was not well rounded. Fortunately I had great friends. In particular was my friend Alex who would become my best friend and now compadre.
He'd played Pop Warner football and extolled the virtues to me.
When we got to HS, Alex suggested we play football. I was a big kid.
Maybe 5'8, 175 lbs. Good size for B football (now called Freshman Fball).
I ageed. Classes were a breeze. I had nothing to lose. It was 1986. The dudes in Varsity looked huge! Ni modo.
I was horrible. I recall being allowed to play one down that year. On that down, the opposing team made an interception.
I chased down the the LB that made the interception only to trip and fall inside the 5 yard line.
The next year I'd gained weight. Too big for B football. I was moved to the varsity team in the 10th grade. At the same time I was all in on the academic front. Somehow I was earning As and Bs.
That year in football, I'd apparently caught the eye of the O line coach; Coach Watters. I'd previously watched him push others with a firm fist.
Songs by Motley Crue, Iron Maiden and The Scorpions rang through my head.
Somehow, mid season, I started at center against LA High School. The Romans.
I think we lost in the first round of playoffs that year, but I was now playing Varsity.
Academically, I was moving forward. That year, I was looking at Trig and Pre Calc.
1988-1989 I was the starting center. Big dudes to my left and my right. Tbh, not only was I the shortest O-line man but I was the only Junior. All the rest were Seniors.
Academically, it was all about the unit circle. I ate it up!!
That year, in football, we went 14 and 0.
A city championship.
I had learned that year that I could rise above.
The following year we lost all but one and tied one. Still a good season. Academically, Calculus was awesome. I'd earn a 5 on the AP Calc Exam.
While I only played briefly in college I learned a certain confidence.
This would drive me to motivate my students as an educator.
I would subsequently earn three degrees.
What I learned during those years was most valuable.
While I am not the most successful individual, my experience informs how I interact with students.
Si se puede.
