My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King

Content Warning: This section mentions violence and murder, abuse, trauma, and addiction. 

As described in My Bloody Life, Reymundo Sanchez’s search for belonging shaped his journey as he moved through unstable environments in pursuit of acceptance and stability. Whether through his bond with Jenny, friendship with Papo, or affiliation with the Spanish Lords, Sanchez sought connections to validate his existence and provide a sense of home.

Sanchez’s search for belonging stemmed from his experiences of familial neglect and abuse, which left him craving love and validation. Sanchez recounts how joining the Spanish Lords filled this emotional void. He was so grateful for companionship and acceptance that he “was prepared to accept whatever gang life had to offer” (34). In the absence of familial support, the gang became a surrogate family, offering identity and unity. The members often addressed each other as “brothers,” which reinforced this sense of belonging. Sanchez also writes that the Latin Kings used “phrases like ‘I will die for you’ […] It was part of the lingo, a way of letting a member know they belonged” (143). As a gang member, he enjoyed this sense of emotional connection.