Racism In Always Running By Luis J. Rodriquez

In the book Always Running written by Luis J. Rodriquez, he tells of his early life as a gang member in Los Angeles and the many challenges he had to overcome being a Chicano immigrant, giving outsiders a detailed, in depth perspective of the life he lived and the battles he faced. A life that is full of racism; in society, schools, law enforcement, giving them know sense of belonging. Feeling as if Chicanos weren’t of any relevance to this world, treating them like they are less than human. From the early school days with division in the classroom, lack of education offered to them because of the communication barriers and unwillingness to fix that problem, to society where there is division among the people, neighborhoods, territory, to

If only he was given the opportunity when he first came here from Mexico, he wouldn’t have had to live the violent life he lived. Luis and his Family weren’t excepted nor given any hope. Sadly, Luis’ story is the story of many. Racism is real, it exists and it is affecting young people causing them to turn to a life of gang and violence in order to gain acceptance. It all starts at a young age and something that will determine the direction of one’s life. Luis’ life was a prime example of what society and statistic said he would be as if he would never amount to anything but against all odds the fire that has always lived in him, that desire to be someone and rise above out of the pits of hell is exactly what he has done. Giving others hope. “There are choices you have to make not just once, but every time they come up” (132). Unfortunately, there will always be obstacles, weather its racism, violence, drugs, gangs in life battling against you but it’s a choice you have to continue to make, it’s all up to the individual to persevere and raise above to get out of that life and become someone before that life takes