The Black Hand

is the result of a continued harboring of groveling thoughts. Man is made or unmade by himself.”

For she is more precious than rubies and all the things that you desire cannot compare with her.

by Rene “Boxer” Enriquez
ON MARCH 22, 2002, I DEFECTED FROM THE MEXICAN MAFIA. AT THE time, I knew it would be a life-altering decision, but I didn’t have a clue as to how much. Now I’m housed at an undisclosed location nearly a thousand miles away from my old haunt at Pelican Bay State Prison, and my life seems so removed from the man I used to be—Boxer from the Mexican Mafia.

Today I’m just Rene Enriquez. I’m no longer a Mafioso or a figurehead for a crew of murderous, drug-dealing gangsters, but just a regular Joe clawing my way out of a dark, evil abyss and back into the grasp of humanity.

The transition has been a difficult challenge for me, as if I were Superman turning back into Clark Kent forever. But each day that passes I feel a little bit closer to becoming a normal person.

I’m no longer a Mafioso or a figurehead for a crew of murderous, drug-dealing gangsters, but just a regular Joe clawing my way out of a dark, evil abyss and back into the grasp of humanity.

Those people don’t realize they are blessed just to be in traffic, even to drive an old beat-up car,” said Rene. “I don’t think they realize that, take the moment in, and say this is a beautiful day. Each day is another chance to accomplish something positive, just to embrace life.”

Mictlantehutli, the lord of death; Huitzilopochtli, the god of war; and the sun god Tonatiuh

I feel liberated from that. So in a sense, I am free. I feel good about myself. It’s okay to be weak. My weakness is my strength.”

“I don’t think they realize that, take the moment in, and say this is a beautiful day. Each day is another chance to accomplish something positive, just to embrace life.”

‘My pop is dying. I don’t want my pop to die.’

dead and buried—that is the only solution for them.”