Analyzes a community from the standpoint of immigrant mothers in South Central Los Angeles who were concerned about the education of their children and the violence in their communities. Written in Spanish and English, the text brings together the women's observations as they put into action their developing political consciousness.

Part enthnograpy and part testimony, this book analyzes a school setting and community from the standpoint of a group of immigrant mothers ("las madres") in South Central Los Angeles who were concerned about the education of their children and the violence in their communities. Written in both the first and third person, in Spanish and English, the text brings together the women's dialogue and observations of the world around them as they embarked on an oftentimes conflicting process of putting into action their developing political consciousness. The social drama of the school and community is revealed through their change and advocacy.