A life of violence is traced from the Zoot Suit riots of the 1940s to the bloody streets of the 1990s. Three homeboys Santana Mundo and JD born in a crucible of poverty create the capitalist dream in their own way as powerful gang members. Jailed in their youth they control the streets from the cellblock. After his release Santana wavers between his old lifestyle and a fresh beginning with a new love. The question is are those old habits too deeply rooted for him to escape from