How do LA riots affect Gunnar and his community in Chapter 7? how do gunnar develop identities (racial, gender...need three evidence)

In Chapter Seven, the commencement of the riots begin. The date is April 29, 1992. Six days of violence and looting follow. Although much of Gunnar's narration contains its usual humor, there is little funny about the real-life riots. Gunnar describes a scene where he and Nick beat a truck driver with loaves of bread. Gunnar mentions that two trucks collide prior to the beating. In the actual riots, two different truck drivers were severely beaten and nearly killed at the same intersection.

Though Gunnar's narration does contain humorous elements, it is almost as if Gunnar falters at the beginning and later recovers his "funny, cool guy" composure. He begins by describing his shock and dismay and even says he never before felt so worthless. Slowly as the chapter progresses Gunnar regains his usual flippant attitude. Gunnar is momentarily angered that Nick and the man are talking about Gunnar's poetry, but thinking of his poetry at a time when he is so upset makes Gunnar realize that his poetry serves the same function as Psycho Loco's violence. Gunnar uses poetry to help him cope with external events, and Psycho Loco uses violence for the same reason. In this chapter Gunnar seems to be using Psycho Loco's coping tools.