Suave: The Hustle - Episode 2 Detailed Summary

Podcast Title: Suave
Host/Author: Futuro Media
Episode Title: The Hustle - Ep. 2
Release Date: February 9, 2021

Introduction

In the second episode of "Suave," titled "The Hustle," Futuro Media delves deeper into the tumultuous journey of Luis "Suave" Gonzalez. Seven years after his release from prison, Suave's life appears to be on an upward trajectory. However, as the episode unfolds, listeners gain insight into the complexities of achieving true freedom after enduring the harsh realities of incarceration. This episode explores Suave’s early life, the circumstances leading to his life sentence, his experiences within the prison system, and his relentless pursuit of redemption and education.

Early Life and Family Background

Luis Gonzalez, known as Suave, was born in 1969 in the Bronx, New York, to Maria González, a resilient single mother who moved from Puerto Rico in 1942. Growing up in the South Bronx during the 1970s, Suave and his twin sister were the fourth and fifth children in a household marked by poverty and crime. Maria struggled to provide for her seven children, often resorting to illegal activities to ensure they never went hungry.

Notable Quote:

"My mother believed, 'If I don't feed my kids, no one's gonna feed them. So I gotta go out and hustle.'" (05:51)

Maria's environment was fraught with gang violence, rampant crime, and economic despair, encapsulated by the South Bronx being labeled the "poorest in the whole nation"—worse than Watts, rural Mississippi, or Appalachia (04:59). Her home became a hub for local hustlers and sex workers, exposing Suave to a world where illegal means were often the only path to survival and respect.

Descent into Crime

At the age of 11, Suave began to idolize the tough personas portrayed in popular culture, particularly characters like Tony Montana from "Scarface." This fascination drove him to emulate their lifestyles, which he equated with street credibility and power.

Despite early behavior issues and an evaluation indicating "mild mental retardation" and cultural deprivation (07:17), Suave found himself increasingly drawn into the streets. By age 16, his mother's attempt to escape legal troubles by moving the family to Philadelphia’s notoriously dangerous Badlands neighborhood only deepened his involvement with local drug dealers and gang activities.

Notable Quote:

"I used to take green lipstick and try to act like I had tattoos. I wanted to be the baddest dude on the block." (06:30)

The Fateful Night and Arrest

On December 6, 1986, a pivotal event occurred that would change Suave’s life forever. While walking with his neighbor, 13-year-old Axel Serrano, Suave encountered 13-year-old Danny Martinez, a fellow neighborhood kid working with a rival drug block. What transpired that night was marked by conflicting testimonies:

• Sharon Benjamin's Testimony: A 17-year-old girl who witnessed Suave and Axel confront Danny, leading to Danny’s fatal shooting. She recounted how Suave demanded Danny’s bomber jacket, escalating to the shooting when Danny resisted.

  Notable Quote:

  "He demanded Danny give him his bomber jacket, but Danny and I didn't know him." (15:37)

• Suave's Account: Suave described the incident as an accidental fight gone wrong, emphasizing that it was not a premeditated robbery but a confrontation that spiraled out of control.

  Notable Quote:

  "I was coming from a restaurant, and when I bumped into them, it just went off. It was an accident." (16:18)

Despite the lack of direct physical evidence, Suave was convicted based on Sharon Benjamin’s testimony. The trial occurred in a political climate where Philadelphia’s District Attorney’s office, led by the aggressive prosecutor Roger King, was notorious for securing harsh sentences for juvenile offenders.

Life in Prison

Sentenced to mandatory life without the possibility of parole, Suave entered Greaterford State Prison, a maximum-security facility synonymous with violence and corruption. The prison environment mirrored the chaos of the streets he once navigated, compelling Suave to adopt a tough persona to survive.

Notable Quote:

"There was chaos, chaos. People were getting stabbed. People were getting their cells robbed. You had to be prepared for street war at all times." (22:02)

Suave’s early years in prison were marked by repeated confinements in solitary isolation, where he endured 23 hours a day alone in a windowless cell. This period of intense loneliness and reflection led him to confront his struggles directly:

Notable Quote:

"I found myself talking to myself in the hole. It's like, you have these conversations with yourself and roaches become your company." (22:58)

During solitary, Suave connected with an older inmate who helped him begin learning to read, sparking his passion for education despite his previous illiteracy.

Educational Pursuits and Rehabilitation

Determined to change his life, Suave took proactive steps towards education. He pursued a GED and eventually enrolled in college while incarcerated, becoming a beacon of hope and transformation within the prison walls.

Notable Quote:

"Most people that go to prisons are not hardcore criminals. Most people go to prison because they do stuff out of necessity." (26:58)

Suave’s commitment extended beyond personal growth; he initiated a scholarship program to support at-risk youth, raising funds despite the meager wages inmates received. His efforts culminated in him writing six novels about life in the hood, showcasing his evolution from a troubled youth to a thoughtful writer.

Resentencing and Release

In 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court mandated the reevaluation of juvenile lifer cases, paving the way for Suave's resentencing. Negotiations led to an agreement to reduce his sentence to 30 years to life, contingent upon lifetime parole. This decision meant that Suave, who had already served 30 years, was on the cusp of release.

The resentencing hearing was emotionally charged, with Suave expressing deep remorse and a desire to contribute positively to his community:

Notable Quote:

"I feel sincerely grief and express remorse for causing the death of Daniel Martinez. I could not imagine the amount of grief and pain the family have suffered as a result of my actions." (36:05)

Ultimately, the judge accepted the plea deal, resulting in Suave’s release under stringent parole conditions. This transition from decades of incarceration to newfound freedom was both exhilarating and daunting for Suave, as he grappled with adjusting to life outside prison walls.

Conclusion

"The Hustle" paints a comprehensive portrait of Suave Gonzalez’s life, highlighting the environmental, social, and personal factors that shaped his trajectory from a troubled youth to a man seeking redemption. The episode underscores the broader systemic issues within the juvenile justice system and the profound challenges faced by those striving to rebuild their lives after incarceration.

Suave’s journey is a testament to the possibility of change and the enduring quest for freedom and self-improvement, even in the face of overwhelming odds. As he steps into a new chapter, the narrative leaves listeners contemplating the true meaning of freedom and the resilience required to attain it.

Notable Quotes Highlighted:

• "If I don't feed my kids, no one's gonna feed them. So I gotta go out and hustle." (05:51)
• "I used to take green lipstick and try to act like I had tattoos. I wanted to be the baddest dude on the block." (06:30)
• "I found myself talking to myself in the hole. It's like, you have these conversations with yourself and roaches become your company." (22:58)
• "Most people that go to prisons are not hardcore criminals. Most people go to prison because they do stuff out of necessity." (26:58)
• "I feel sincerely grief and express remorse for causing the death of Daniel Martinez." (36:05)

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Episode 2, capturing the essence of Suave’s story, the challenges he faced, and the resilience he demonstrated in his pursuit of redemption.