`` Always Running By Luis Rodriguez - 1350 Words

Prior to being assigned the reading of the memoir â€Å"Always Running†, by Luis Rodriguez, I had never given much thought on juveniles involved in gang life. Rodriguez achieved success as an award-winning poet; sure the streets would no longer haunt him - until his own son joined a gang. Rodriguez fought for his child by telling his own story in the vivid memoir, â€Å"Always Running.† â€Å"Always Running† is the compilation of events Luis experienced during his youth in San Gabriel. The theme of the book is to always strive for the best things in life and to always take a stand for what you believe. Lured by the seemingly invincible gang culture of East L.A., he witnessed countless shootings and beatings, as well as senseless acts of street crime against his friends and family members. As a Latino in a poor neighborhood, Luis struggled through criticism, stereotypes, and mistreatment. With the help of his mentor, Chente, Luis saw a way out through education a nd the power of word to successfully break free from years of violence and desperation. Luis was growing up into the life of gang banging, gaining a reputation in San Gabriel by being scouted into bigger gangs in the area. Increasing his involvement in the gang by stealing form stores, to eventually being part of premeditated arson and murders. Luis was well on his way to a life in prison or worse, death. By growing up during a time of racial discrimination, options were limited to becoming a factory worker or gangster. Luis metShow MoreRelated`` Always Running, Luis J. Rodriguez1454 Words   |  6 PagesIn Always Running, Luis J. Rodriguez recalls his time growing up in Los Angeles during the 60s and 70s. Rodriguez writes of the hardships that his family had first encountered while trying to assimilate into American society and how he would often, while growing up, be criminalized by his teachers, law enforcement, other people, his peers, his community, and eventually people who cared most for him. Rodriguez recalls the times where he and some friends came together an d created a family, a brotherhoodRead MoreFamily Dysfunction, Breeding Future Gang Members1252 Words   |  6 Pagesas a minority with a dysfunctional family setting aide or contribute to joining a gang, therefore continuing the cycle of gang violence and activity? In order to dive deeper into this subject, several references from the internet and Always Running by Luis J. Rodriguez will be stated and discussed. After the discussion of the web articles and passages from the book a solution will be suggested to help the misguided youth of America to make better life decisions than just throwing their lives away asRead MoreHunger of Memory, by Richard Rodriguez1459 Words   |  6 PagesWhen the languages and culture are different, translation has to be used in deferent ways or methods to decrease misunderstandings and create better way to communicate with others. language seem to be essential topics that motivate Richard Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez, Sandra Cineros, Victor Villasenor, and Avtavio Paz to write their experiences starting from early periods of their childhood and ending with the fame and the glory they make to reach to the highest levels of success. Despite the contrastRead MoreAnalysis Of Luis Rodriguezs La Vida Loca1265 Words   |  6 Pagesgangsters live by to gangbang, to create havoc, to live life on the edge. Luis Rodriguez, author of â€Å"La Vida Loca: Two Generations of Gang Members†, is writing about his and his son’s gangbanging experiences. Rodriguez migrated from Mexico to Los Angeles at the age of 2, by the age of 12 he had built silence within his body and wanted nothing but bring fear to others as he felt fear all his life. By the age of 15 Rodriguez had dropped out of school, at age 18 he had experienced 25 friends’ deathsRead MoreAlways Running : La Vida Loca807 Words   |  4 PagesAlways Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. Analysis By Gillian Husack Introduction Always Running is, essentially, a detailed memoir by Luis Rodriguez. Moreover, the author describes his sordid past as a gang member in Los Angeles during the 1960 s. As a consequence of residing in a gang, Rodriguez became involved in spontaneous acts of violence; for instance, accounts included rape, drug peddling, shootings, and multiple other reasons for arrests. But, the deciding factor that had made himRead MoreSummary Of There Running, La Vida Loca By Luis J. Rodriguez Essay1709 Words   |  7 Pagesand those who have nothing and those in the middle. In Always Running, La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodriguez, we hear from an outcast of society, a young man so far removed from the opportunity this country promises. Rodriguez spent his formative years living a life of crime, drugs, and sex, completely on the margins of society, not out of choice but out of necessity to survive, being left with limited options. Rodriguez is the tale of many other young Mexican American boys inRead MoreSegregation, By Luis J. Rodriguez1423 Words   |  6 Pagesform of segregation such as: the amount of damaged properties, isolation of the underclass, poverty rising in these areas, the conditions of the city, the lack of retail stores, and employment. Always Running, a memoir by Luis J. Rodriguez, shows different aspects of marginalization through the school s Luis attended, the jobs he sustained, and the neighborhoods he resided . No one should feel as if they are underclass or that they cannot achieve what a superior race can achieve. These segregatedRead MoreCauses Of Gangs1461 Words   |  6 Pagesfear of being left out their acts will be easier to fulfill. Due to this, many people will fall into peer pressure and give in to what others do in order for them to fit in with a group. For example, in Always Running, Rodriguez states, â€Å"All of a sudden every dude had to claim a clique† (Rodriguez 41). This is a prime example of how the dudes either had to be in a gang or be left out and be targeted. With that in mind, they had to do what others do to fit in. These days society, most commonly theRead MoreThe Psychological Effects Of Adolescent Substance Abuse1469 Words   |  6 Pagesyouth alcohol abuse. Summary Response: The book â€Å"Always Running: La Vida Loca† begins with Rodriguez recounting where his family came from, and what they used to do. He talks about his childhood and how it was very unstable because of constantly moving. Luis then talks about how he and his friends formed a gang called the â€Å"Impersonators.† Eventually Luis and his gang attempt to hold up a drive-in movie theater at gunpoint, after which Luis is arrested. Luis then describes a flirt with various forms ofRead MoreJustice, Masculinity, And Race And Crime Essay1370 Words   |  6 Pagescitizens. Another work that I have personally read myself and found to have similar characteristics is Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A by Luis J Rodriguez. Like Punished, Always Running is a book about a young Chicano gang member trying to survive the dangerous streets of East Los Angeles, he has witnessed gang violence, shootings, arrests all at a young age. Before long, the young boy Rod riguez saw a way out of the barrio through education and the power of words and successfully broke free