Always Running Luis Rodriguez Analysis

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Prior to being assigned the reading of the memoir “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 who overcame the pressure of the streets. “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. Being tempted by the seemingly invincible gang culture of East L.A., he witnessed countless violent crimes, as well as senseless acts of street crime. As a Latino in a poor neighborhood, Luis struggled through criticism, stereotypes, and mistreatment. With the help of his mentor, Chente, …show more content…

Many times Rodriguez and the cops got into violent affairs, and the discrimination he faced by the police themselves leads to situations where Rodriguez cannot live without being unfairly suspected of criminal activity. “I don’t mind paying for my mistakes, but it seems like we’re paying for everyone else’s mistakes too. Sometimes we pay even when there’s been no mistake. Just for being who we are, you know what I mean? Just for being Mexican. That’s all the wrong I have to do” (Rodriguez 144). He was able to turn over a new leave, though it was still difficult to watch negative events happen around him and not resort to violence. “I had certain yearnings at the time, which a lot of us had, to acquire authority in our own lives in the face of police, joblessness and powerlessness. Las Lomas was our path to that, but I was frustrated because I felt the violence was eating us alive” (Rodriguez …show more content…

The reader can see the constant fight he struggled and still struggles. He has dedicated his life to youths that have struggled with crime, discrimination, and poverty. Luis has set the bar high in showing others that you can do something great as long as you’re willing to fight. This book shows that everyone has problems that are individual to him or her. It does not give you the right to inflict pain or suffering on another because of what events have occurred. Some instances of social learning theories are present throughout this book. Society is not cohesive. Instead, within societies there are a variety of subcultures and some of these are quite conductive to criminality and delinquency. People are constantly being persuaded by the presence of their peers. The presence of delinquent peers may also increase the anticipated benefits of delinquency, since delinquent peers often reinforce delinquent acts. A lot of the people he grew up around took part in gangs and gang related crimes. They helped persuade him in taking part and picking what “side” he was

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