The title of boxing champ Oscar De La Hoyaยs autobiography, American Son, has a double meaning. Yes, heยs the golden boy of the American boxing world, but heยs also the American son of working-class Mexican immigrants. He grew up in -poverty-stricken East L.A. and is now a multimillionaire; in other words, he epitomizes the American Dream. But with anti-immigrant sentiment growing in this country, can Americaยs favorite son have a Hispanic last name? Itยs a question De La Hoya attempts to answer in American Son and one that heยll address at todayยs reading.
An Olympic gold medalist, heยll talk about his victories in the ring (defeating a dozen world champions and earning six world titles) as well as his defeats outside of it (worth millions while still in his teens, De La Hoya was bilked by a greedy business advisor and developed a taste for gambling). 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 7626 Westheimer. For information, call 713ย783ย6016 or visit www.barnesand-noble.com. Free.
Sun., June 15, 7 p.m., 2008
This article appears in Jun 12-18, 2008.