Violence, Power, and Coping Mechanisms Theme Analysis

Many characters in Mexican WhiteBoy use violence and other unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with feelings of powerlessness. Uno, Javier, and Ray all struggle with being members of marginalized communities that they’re unable to break out of— they see their lives as limited and regulated by white people, and they use violence to reclaim control. In situations that bring out feelings of powerlessness, they are unable to restrain their violent outbursts. For example, Uno punches Danny at the derby because he feels threatened by Danny’s talent, though he later regrets it. Similarly, Javier attacks a white man he perceives as a threat, though he knows it’s “crazy,” and ends up in prison for the offense. Drug and alcohol use—coping mechanisms of their own—often contribute to violent acts. For example, Ernesto hits Uno when he’s drunk to try to exert his power over Uno as “the man of the house.” But, though it may be temporarily gratifying, violence is an ineffective and counterproductive coping mechanism for the characters who utilize it. They feel guilty later on, and the legal trouble violence causes ultimately limits their freedom and autonomy even more.

Other characters have different ways of managing feelings of helplessness. Danny also experiences a loss of control when his dad leaves, and he self-harms to cope with this loss and the powerlessness it has made him feel. Just like the uncontrollable violent fits of the other characters, Danny’s self-harm is an urge he can’t resist, but it doesn’t provide lasting relief. Danny’s mom Wendy, on the other hand, deals with hardship by dating many men and moving around a lot, but she later realizes that she will only be truly happy if she focuses on her family instead. Dating new men provides her with easy and superficial comfort, but taking care of her children—though more difficult—is what allows her to truly gain control of her life. Senior makes a similar positive change—he relies on substances and violence when he’s young and feels powerless, but as he ages, he replaces these harmful vices with family and faith. Almost all the characters in Mexican WhiteBoy feel powerless in some way, and many turn to violence or other unhealthy ways of coping, but those who are truly able to gain control and contentment in their lives do so by focusing on what they value.