|
He also blames the cops for constantly targeting Mexicans and African Americans. He grows up way too quickly and starts stealing and committing crimes before becoming a teen. Luis grew up in LA being raised by a Mexican family. The educational system does not provide proper courses for minorities. Soon enough drugs, sex and violence come into play, and lines and territories are divided across neighborhoods. Ultimately he ends up losing most of his friends to shootings and violent acts. They are tracked to take on vocational occupations while whites and Asians are taking English Lit and Trig on the path to college. If we provided protection, safety and good opportunities for these kids then they would not feel the need to join gangs to gain acceptance, protection and a sense of belonging.
What is memory. It was right there on the tip of my tongue. For those wanting a standard tale with a classical throughline and neat conclusions, this book will disappoint.I enjoyed the author's imagery and the ways he plays with the genre of memoir. This book is on the ALA's list of 100 most frequently banned books of 1990 through 2000.This is a memoir of gang life & of growing up poor and Chicano in East LA in the '60's & 70's. Like The Corner, David Simon's killer tome on life on a Baltimore drug corner, this book illustrates the condition. I remembered that it was written by a Puerto Rican guy that grew up in Spanish Harlem & was also about all of the ways that books saved him, but I couldn't remember the name of the book.
He talks about gangs as a kind of mass suicide & that's an idea that stuck with me - all these kids looking for family & hating themselves.In one of those funny moments where influences collide that can happen while reading, I kept thinking of another gang memoir that I read when I was younger.
What do we remember.
Then I turned a page & there it was - Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas - turns out Luis Rodriguez read that one, too.This book is also full of shades of Sandra Cisneros - a Chicana writer & poet whose work I've read off & on since her first book - The House on Mango Street.
It's also about learning who you are and finding ways out - through writing, through painting, & through social activism.Rodriguez is primarily a poet and writer of short stories & it shows in this collection of snap shots of moments from his past.
I could remember that the author was named Piri, but that was all.
How do we remember it.
For me so much of my memory is just what he provides - little snapshots of moments in time.From a political/social perspective, this book does a good job of elucidating the reasons kids join gangs and the possible paths out.
Like Cisneros, Rodriguez' work is full of rhythm & bright color.I liked this book a great deal, although I don't think it offers any long-term solutions to these problems.
Perhaps education really is the only way out, but to get there we're going to have to spend some money & stop using our educational system to ghettoize people based on class, race, income level, & the phase of the moon on Fridays when the cat's too tired to sing.The world is a complex & beautiful place & in the end maybe only words can save us.
This book lacks depth and much-needed perspective. As a result, I found myself unable to sympathize with his plight. The actual subject matter is interesting, and could have resulted in an incredibly powerful, insightful book. However, he stopped short every time the opportunity for reflection presented itself. His transitions from journalistic prose to "poetic" descriptions were jarring and indulgent. Overall, this book was a great disappointment.
Received the book in a very timely manner. Book was brand new. Very good expereince. The book itself is an easy read.
It is fascinating to go through the transition with the Author from being a confused immigrant from Mexico to a hard core gang banger, and then to a Father trying to teach his son from his own mistakes. The main subject is more likable, and accepts responsibility for actions instead of implying that almost all gangbanger's problems are a result of their family.
I love how fast-paced it is, giving just enough background info about his childhood without dragging on. I bought this book several years ago after reading in the newspaper that it had been banned from local school's reading lists.
Each situation seems to have more depth and meaning, rather than just increasing the violence and body count. I recently read "My Bloody Life", and I liked Always Running far better.
Always Running feels more believable and less repetitive. This is an insightful look into the area, time period, and lifestyle that easily feels relevant to modern issues.
I feel this is an excellent book for teenagers who are attracted by this kind of lifestyle, especially those in areas that are susceptible to it, to live vicariously through the Author, and hopefully realize that the suffering outways the excitement.
|
